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ArtPrize 2013

 
Painting in process in my studio, complete with still life setup of vintage Playmate doll, acrylics on cradeled panel, 16" square. Inquiries may come to me (including special requests to paint your treasured childhood toy).
 
 

Last year my good friend Elizabeth St Hilaire Nelson and I participated in ArtPrize, what I think is the largest art festival in the world. It's an annual event, happening in Grand Rapids, Michigan, about 2 hours west of my home. As I recall, 2012 involved over 1700 works of art displayed throughout the Grand Rapids area. It's a big deal.

 
It was great fun preparing my ArtPrize paintings last year - I put a call out for muses in April 2012 and painted right up until days before the installation.

 
Our work was very well received, we enjoyed our time in Grand Rapids and couldn't wait to began planning for this year. 

 
Elizabeth's way ahead of me - her 2013 piece, an astounding mural depicting a mermaid and goldfish, is nearing completion, whereas I just got started this weekend. I've been busy percolating, though!

 
I decided to step away from animals just a bit, try out new subject matter and take advantage of a scale that screamed F.U.N.

 
So they are not Dog a Days, and I do beg your forgiveness, but here is the first of my new series "Family Portraits," starring the faces of some very well loved dolls. I'm planning at least a dozen of these paintings, and they will be displayed in a row, just like traditional family portraits on a mantel.

 
Regular updates on "Family Portraits" and my journey to ArtPrize 2013 will be posted to a folder on the studio Facebook page. Along with a final version of this portrait (whe will need a name eventually - I'm thinking "Phyllis" after Phyllis Diller). You are welcome to check in, make comments or ask questions.

 
And thanks so much for following along with my artwork!
Kim
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