The Right Place at the Right Time

"Blinkered," 6" square, from the Saratoga Series, part of the Painting a Dog a Day project, acrylics on panel, available for purchase through Cazenovia College. In 2009 I was fortunate enough to attend the opening week of Saratoga Race Track's season. I was joined by painter Linda Shantz and photographer Juliet Harrison, both skilled and knowledgeable horsewomen. I took full advantage of the opportunity to soak up as much information as possible (even mucking stalls at Linda's farm!). After that trip, I began a series of paintings inspired by Saratoga. At this point I had no clear direction for the works other than to explore the energy and essence of life on the track. I shared the paintings via Painting a Dog a Day and enjoyed them here in the studio. But now, for the first time, selected pieces from this series will be on display for the public. Six paintings will be included in an invitational show of equine artwork at Cazenovia College in upstate New York. Held in conjunction with the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament, this presents a great opportunity for equine afficianados to view equine athletes in the flesh and the tremendous art they've inspired. The opportunity to participate came as a total surprise - private recommendations of my work made it to the curator's ears. A subsequent visit to my website was intriguing enough for her to extend an invitation. (So the moral of the story is to please keep talking up the things you love and enjoy in your life - and thank you 100 times over for your support, too!) The show will open on November 3rd and remain in the Reisman Hall Art Gallery on the Cazenovia Campus in Cazenovia, New York through December 9th. You are cordially invited to stop by and view this elite collection of equine art - please email the gallery for further details. Thanks for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com PSST - I'm still accepting holiday commissions. Email me to get on my calendar! Keeping Mom & Pop Shops Alive Think about which 3 independently owned businesses you'd miss the most if they were gone. If half the employed U.S. population spent $50 each month in independently owned stores, their purchases would generate $42,629,700,000. That's over $42 billion! For every $100 spent in an independently owned store, typically $68 of it - over 2/3 !- returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. On average $100 spent at a national chain results in only $43 - less than 1/2 - remaining in the community. I strive to keep my business (and personal) expenditures local. So when you support Painting a Dog a Day, you are also supporting Lake Orion, Michigan, a proud small town community packed with independently owned businesses. And you are helping this Mom keep her independence and support her family. Mona Lisa says "Thank you." Pick 3. Spend $50. Save your Mom & Pop Shops. Look - I've even started your list: 1. Painting a Dog a Day 2. 3.