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Silas at the Beach



FROM TOP: "Silas on the Beach II," 12" square, and Silas on the Beach I," 8" square, mixed breed commissioned pet portrait, acrylic on canvas. Silas on the Beach II is headed home to Silas's family, and the other will be sent to an exhibition later this summer. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com .

Silas was fondly called a "son of a New Mexican ditch dog" since his mother was found, starving, in a highway ditch. He grew into a gorgeous and wonderful companion, one who continues to be missed dearly by his family.

Earlier this week I returned to the Detroit Institute of Arts to have a second peek at their exhibition of Ashcan School artists. Those interested can read a little more about the Ashcan movement and the Group of Eight at http://www.huntfor.com/arthistory/C20th/ashcanschool.htm . I was completely blown away by the paintings and drawings, even more so the second time through: the confidant brushwork, the simple compositions (even though they are often peopled with crowds) and the controlled use of color.

I saw entire figures that were mapped with one flick of the brush. Painted in one shape, one color, defined entirely by the stroke and energy. All it took was the suggestion of a figural form for my eye to build the rest of the details.

Masses of people grouped and painted as one simple shape sharing similar values and color. You eye couldn't break them apart until you got closer to the surface.

Masterful compositions where the only color was concentrated in one oddly off-balanced area. Paintings that were 95% neutral colors, with carefully placed splashes of saturated color, pulling focal points far away from the central area, and even away from the figures themselves.

These ideas were very much in my mind when I painted the two versions of Silas. When I grow up, I want to paint like that!!

Thank you to long-time dog-a-day reader and proud new collector Jennifer Brindley for her purchase of two paintings: "Saucer Eyed" from this month's Animal Welfare Week and a gallery stretched canvas titled "Whiskers" (from the studio markdown sale viewable at www.turtledovedesigns.com/studio_cleanup.html).

Thanks, as always, for your time in reading and sharing these paintings with your friends and family.

I wish everyone a happy and safe weekend. As it is a holiday in the States, I will return to the dog-a-days on Tuesday, after lots of bar-b-q-ing, the whiffleball championship of the world, and a little yardwork.
See you then!
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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