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"Buddies (Pippen & Sheba)," 8" x 16", mixed breed dog portraits, acrylic on canvasboard. Since I am waiting to hear back from my client, if you are interested in purchasing "Buddies," please drop me a line at ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com .

Today's painting is less about facial expression and a particular likeness, yet it remains very much a portrait of the dogs' relationship. I was drawn to a series of photos of the two playing together in the snow. After much apparant leaping about, they rested side by side, at the end of their tie out, looking longingly at the expanse of untouched snow outside their reach.

I first painted the snow in glazes of lavendar and blue, then laid the dogs down while the backdrop was still very wet. This allowed me to scoop up some of the background color, which remains in the highlights of their fur. The final layers of paint went down more thickly - there's an interesting texture carried on the surface of this painting, right around the dogs' butts - just another way to enhance the focal point!

I recently joined the organization Artists Helping Animals. This group is made up of artists who use the sale of their artwork to help animals in need. Collectively they - we - have raised over $41,000 in just a couple of years. How exciting is that? I haven't gotten any of my paintings posted yet, but you can visit the group's blog and view available art that will benefit shelters and rescues at http://www.arthelpinganimals.blogspot.com/ . I hope to get up to speed in the coming days, and will start out on their end by sharing my as yet unsold shelter and rescue paintings.

On that note, a special thank you to everyone who emailed saying their donation was headed off to the relief fund for Animal Friends of the Valley Shelter. I spoke with them this morning, and they are very grateful for all the help we can give. I personally am very touched (but not surprised!) by the generousity of the dog-a-day readership. Again, donations may be sent (payable to the Animal Friends of the Valley Shelter) to Guaranty Bank, 31740 Railroad Canyon Road, Canyon Lake, California, 92587.

Thank you and welcome aboard to new collector Katrina Kent for her purchase of "Day One," the golden retriever mother and pup painting from last Friday. I have finished this painting, and replaced the paintings' image on Friday's blog entry. I am thrilled with this piece, and delighted that it's found a new home. If the interest is there I will issue giclees (with reciprocal donations to Paws With a Cause, of course!) - please send your print inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com .

Thanks, as always, for your time in following and sharing my work,
Take care and I'll see you tomorrow,
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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