What the..... ??, In Process

You saw the reference photo yesterday (and it's included below, too) - here's the underpainting for the first painting in my new series "Cherish."

Working title "What the....?", this is 24" high by 14" wide, and it's in acrylics on a museum quality panel.

I don't anticipate that this one will be for sale, but inquiries may always come to me.

For those new to the blog, this is my cattle dog mix Finnigan, who truly had no idea what the little furball kitten Mona Lisa was doing in his house. She, of course, went about as if she had always owned the place, her tail jauntily crooked above her back, her little bell joyfully announcing every move.

I want this painting to convey Finni's gentle curiousity and Mona's trust. It needs to feel warm and cozy, alluded to by the yellow undertones of the floor and rug. And once I get the shadows working properly, the composition will carry a circular motif reminescent of a hug.

Meanwhile, you can see the stages the background went through today by viewing the images I uploaded onto the studio's Facebook page.

And tomorrow it will be back to the paint. After I get an estimate done on repairing my van - someone did a number on it this last weekend, and it wasn't the Easter Bunny.

Oh, and it's Wednesday, too, which means life drawing in ballet class later in the afternoon.

Good thing life gives us far more moments like those I paint and sketch, and far fewer bits like silly fools running into large, legally parked vehicles.

Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

A Call For Muses

In anticipation of participating in a large scale art event, I am creating a fresh body of work.

Hence my latest request - bring me new muses!!

The concept is "Cherish." I am looking for images of animals depicting a realm of emotions in the hopes of painting a fraction of the sorts of relationships we share with our companions.

Please note that photos do not have to include people - I'd rather prefer to leave the human form out altogether, as this allows the viewer to bring their own personal interpretations.

You are invited to submit non-flash photos for consideration:

Photos must be taken by the submitter - no exceptions.
Photos should be in focus, and the animal must make up at least 1/4 of the photograph.
Please note that by virtue of submitting photographs, submitters are granting me permission to create original artwork from the materials they submit.
Submitters are not required to make any purchase of artwork or reproductions, but will be offered first rights to anything created.
Photos should be sent via email to with the subject line "Cherish"

Photos I plan on painting will be uploaded to the "Cherish" photo album inside the studio's Facebook page. I will also add links to the completed paintings as the series of work progresses.

I am really excited about this opportunity and look forward to sharing the latest leg of the Painting a Dog a Day journey with you!!

Picture Book "A Dog Named Blue" - now available!!

The cover of "A Dog Named Blue," now available from Blurb publishers. When I first painted Amelia I never imagined that she would be re-christened "Blue" and inspire a book. In her defense, Amelia had a number of other partners in crime - animals who's portraits seemed to fall into a specific color category and prompt color-centric names. In typical ADD fashion, my brain started spinning 100mph. What if I turned those muses' paintings into a picture book for animal loving kids? I shared my idea with three friends in the industry, and they eagerly offered their expertise. I am truly indebted to them. Illustrator and author Matt Faulkner and children's book author and literacy expert Kristen Remenar edited an early version of the draft. They suggested key plot/conceptual changes that made it oodles better. Designer Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson worked her magic, pairing the images with perfectly color

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

Dear Copyright Thieves

Dear Copyright Thieves, Just because it's on the internet doesn't mean it's free for the taking. So let's just stop pretending the internet is a free-for-all. Don't play the card that you didn't know - that's insulting. And don't also tell me that you meant to follow up and get permission but never got a chance to. That's insulting too. And by the way, don't you have a copyright protection notice on your own site? And don't even try and point the finger at a third party who commissioned you to make a copy of my painting - again, an insult - you and I both know the difference between a reference photo and a painting. And don't tell me that I asked for it because I share my artwork on the internet. I share my paintings and ideas and the stories behind them so as to encourage others to pursue their own passions . I do not share so that those lacking integrity and morals can copy and market the images as their own

Paintings With Soul

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