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From the top: "Cosmo" and "Vanilla". Cosmo, 6" square, commissioned mixed breed pet portrait, acrylic on canvasboard. Vanilla, 4" x 8", commissioned chihuahua portrait, acrylic on canvasboard. Both paintings are headed to a private collection (THANK YOU!).

The color is bold and juicy in each of these pieces, although at first glance the dogs themselves might not seem terribly colorful. After all, one painting is of a black dog, and the other dog is practically white. To me, black's resonate with violets and blues. Dogs Vanilla's color come complete with oranges, pinks, greens, and periwinkles. Hence my renditions.

I started another valentine painting this afternoon, and continued working on a larger still life built of vintage fisher price dogs. I also took down my show at the Orion Township Public Library, and spent some time sketching studies for a new large scale mastiff portrait. I'm about ready to settle down with a cup of tea and thumb through some of the art books I was able to pick up at the library - right now I am looking at John Singer Sargent's brushwork, Jamie Wyeth's use of line, and Kevin MacPherson's bold color.

Thank you to new collector Lisa Nelson and returning collector Barb Boyak, each of whom picked up an early valentine with one of yesterday's heart shaped dog tag paintings.

I always appreciate your time, especially when you choose to share the Painting a Dog a Day project with your friends and family.
Take care (and stay warm!!),
Kim

Kimberly Kelly Santini
http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/
distinctive pet portraits
& 4-legged paintings

http://www.paintingadogaday.com/
come. sit. stay.
enjoy the art.

Founding member of the Canine Art Guild
http://www.canineartguild.com/
the gateway to canine art on the web

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