Skip to main content

Fetch, Cocker Spaniel

"Fetch," 10" x 12", acrylic on raymar artists panel, depicting a blue roan English Cocker Spaniel. This is the second in a series of pieces I am creating starring two wonderful little guys, and my client will get first pick. Meanwhile, inquiries may always come to me. 
 
You saw Eric's back side in yesterday's "Fall Foliage" painting, and today you get a peek at the troublemaker's mug. Just like yesterday's piece, this painting is far larger than what I typically paint in one day, yet this one practically fell off my brushes this morning.
 
I treated the background like an abstract painting (betcha didn't know I used to create mammoth color field abstract paintings!). Once I had achieved the value patterns that I wanted, I went in overtop and added looser marks in gradually smaller sizes and shapes to create a vibrant and interesting surface. There is that suggestion of space when one steps back from the piece, yet up close it is fascinating to study.
 
It's also important to make certain that the background played second fiddle to Eric. His body carries the most contrast, the crispest edges, the greatest range of color, and the most energetic of the brushwork. I can just see him dancing across the lawn, fringe swaying, ears swinging, and tail wagging. I love the sense of atmosphere and place that this painting conveys.
 
Ironically, my client asked for Eric's portrait to be similar to another painting of mine "Glee." This afternoon's mail brought the news that "Glee," along with "Pink,"  were juried into the prestigious 2009 Art Show at the Dog Show in Wichita, Kansas. I'm honored to be a part of this year's exhibition and especially pleased that the Dog-a-Days will be well represented!!
 
Thanks, as always, for sharing my art.
See you tomorrow,
Kim
ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com
www.turtledovedesigns.com

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Tabby Kit

"Tabby Kit," 5" x 7", acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a tiny little orange striped guy from Morgue File . This painting can be yours for $289, which includes s&h inside the US. And in case you didn't see it, a little doodle of him is also available for sale here . Inquires may come directly to me .  Although it certainly doesn't FEEL like spring here (snow and ice and wind chills, brr!), I can tell that spring is coming. The mercury is rising a wee bit each day and the days are getting longer and brighter. Over the weekend we drove with the moonroof open just to feel the sun's meager and oh-so-very-welcome warmth (although the heat in the car was cranked, too, in the interest of full disclosure!). I wanted to work with spring-like colors today, and this little guy was still on my mind , so I grabbed a small panel and got to work. Of course, I also have Poppy to finish and some changes to make to another po
“Rapt (Shadow),” from the Larger than Life series, 16”x22”, acrylic black lab mixed breed pet portrait on gallery wrapped canvas, $699. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. This is Shadow, who went missing on Sunday night. He belongs to a friend of mine, and has been a fixture in our community for many years. Errant fireworks scared the silly old guy into running off, and his family is busy searching for him. (If you happen to be in the Lake Orion/Oakland County area and have seen Shadow, please call 248-391-0867 or 248-391-6817) I’m confidant that he is safe (somewhere!) and awaiting discovery, but meanwhile, couldn’t help myself from posting his portrait as today’s dog a day painting . He’s constantly on my mind, and probably will remain so, until he finds his way back home. Hug your four legged guys while you can! Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with friends and family, Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ dis

NEW! Etsy Store

One of my favorite unsold paintings from 2008, "Lashes & Corkscrews," 5" x 8", acrylic on canvasboard, depicting a tobiano buckskin curly horse, $289. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com (but read further on how you can get a special deal on this painting!). Now it's ridiculously easy to browse my painting archives. All you have to do is visit my Etsy store . Etsy has a Shopping Cart (so you can pile it high with purchases from a variety of artists), is integrated with Paypal (although you may still pay by check if you prefer to), and is terribly simple to navigate. When the week has ended, I will have listed almost 100 of my favorite (UNSOLD!) paintings here, grouped loosely by subject matter. During 2009 I'll update the shop regularly, and add non-Dog-a-Day pieces as a bonus, thus making it easy to search for that perfect gift. Watch my daily postings for announcements, promotions and discount codes. If you do not receive the Dog-a-Day emails (