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Rusty

"Rusty," 8" square, acrylic and collaged papers on Ampersand Gessobord, pet portrait of an Irish Setter. Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me.

Rusty, my Grandparent's dog, had personality. The stories were flying this past week, and he populated his fair share. My favorite was when Grandma left the Christmas dinner to cool on the countertop while she enjoyed a sherry with Grandpa. They returned to find that Rusty had served himself a rather generous portion of ham, leaving nothing for the family.

I didn't have any photos detailed enough that would allow me to paint Rusty's true likeness. Which gave me the chance to try my hand at a more stylized method, something I've been wanting to try for a bit now - paper painting, or collage, inspired by the artwork of Elizabeth St Hilaire Nelson.

I began with a panel, painted it a dark, deep blue, and then layered tissues to create the green ground. Another layer of paint went down, a nice and loose depiction of the dog's face, to which I added more papers. Then more paint and more papers and the process continued.

It looks as though a bomb's gone off in the studio, but I don't mind cleaning up this mess. I just might try my hand at another collage before sweeping up.

My sincerest thanks for your emailed condolances. I cannot respond to all of them, but each one is just as precious as the other. I cherish your thoughts and prayers very much.

Thanks, as always, for looking at - and sharing - my artwork and musings with your friends and family.
Kim

TWITTER: ksantini
SHOP ORIGINALS & LIMITED EDITION GICLEES: at my Etsy shop
ORDER CUSTOMIZED NOTECARDS & REPRODUCTIONS: at Imagekind
COMMISSION A PET PORTRAIT: contact me
GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE: contact me
READING MATERIAL: Preview and order each of the Dog a Day books at the publisher's website: The First Year (2006-2007) and That's 14 in Dog Years (2008). If you would like your copy personalized, order them through me.
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Comments

  1. Unknown4:39 PM

    This is a beautiful portrayal of an obviously well loved dog! I love the technique you have used, it is inspiring to me. I am just beginning a piece where I will add other material than paint.
    I hope creating this helped in the passing of your Grandfather. Although I lost mine quiet a while ago, not a day goes by that I do not think of him. He and my Grandmom have become my moral compass. My thoughts are with you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. martinealison12:30 AM

    Je ne sais pas comment est votre atelier, mais toujours est-il que votre setter est simplement superbe... j'aime cette magnifique harmonie de couleurs...
    Pyrrhus mon mâle dalmatien serait bien venu aider votre charmant setter...
    Amitiés

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kimberly Kelly Santini8:28 PM

    Martine and Evelyn, thank you. Art can be healing and thoughtful, in the worst and best of times. I am so lucky to have it!!

    ReplyDelete

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