Skip to main content

GIVING THANKS

 

Prince Rockefeller, original acrylic and graphite on wooden cradled panel, 6"x8"x1", private collection (THANK YOU!). The owls have proven hugely popular, and I will continue to paint more in the coming weeks. They are 6"x8"x1", acrylic and graphite on cradled wood panels, and $269 plus s&h. And incredibly endearing - even more so in person. If you would like to get on the list for one, message me directly,

Today is Thanksgiving here in the US, and while I realize many of you are reading this from other countries, this is my day to pause and reflect with tremendous gratitude on all that you have given me.

Your attention and support - even if you are merely reading and commenting on my content - has enabled me to build a career as an artist. I started my professional journey almost 20 years ago, when I intentionally left a corporate job to focus on raising my kids. Painting during naps resulted in gallery representation a few months later, and then along came larger than life pet portraits, then PaintingaDogaDay.com, working with The American Kennel Club, followed by The Kentucky Derby artist gig and most recently #journalthroughit...... and who knows what is coming next! It's been a wonderful ride so far, and it's something I didn't do by myself.

You kept me accountable and supported me with purchases, word of mouth referrals, taking classes, buying prints, ordering my books, sharing inspiration, telling me your stories, giving encouragement and just being present. You helped me pay household bills and for my kids you bought music lessons, team fees, dance costumes and tuition, master classes, marching band fees, musical instruments (marimba rentals are not cheap!), voice lessons, summer camps, soccer/football/lacrosse equipment, and least 20 pairs of pointe shoes (plus tap, jazz, character heels, hip hop shoes, turners). You enabled me to build and live my dream of being a working artist while providing for my family and encouraging my kids to pursue their own interests and dreams.

I am tremendously grateful for that. Thank you. I am here because of you, and I am filled with gratitude.
May you feel that warmth stretching from my table to yours today. Stay well and know you are loved, Kim
 

Comments

Post a Comment

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 (