Getting Started

My easel, prepped with a 10" square panel carrying a blue underpainting.   I am often asked about my easel board when it's included in photos like the one above. This is an 18" x 24" piece of masonite I've been using for years - I duct tape my panels to it, and anchor the masonite into the easel trays.   This allows me greater freedom with my brushwork, especially near the top and bottom edges of my panel. It also provides sturdier support for a variety of panel sizes, more so than merely locking them into the trays provides. This means I can use aggressive brushwork and not worry about the panel shifting or, worse, falling to the floor. I can also tape multiple smaller panels up at once, and work on a series of pieces simultaneously.   I write inspirational phrases on the board and they are slowly buried under layers of marks - the most recent was added last week, courtesy of Lisa Daria Kennedy, a daily painter I greatly admire: "Through routine comes Inspiration."   The white print out partially obscured beneath that is another mentor artist, Richard Schmid's, painting checklist. It reads:        Why I Paint This Subject        Due to a wonderful display of color?      Due to dramatic values?      Intrigued by the drawing - shapes and subtle forms?      An interesting design of subject with the relationship         of mass and line?   Fondly, Kim, who's excited to get going on this piece and play with two new-to-her-palette blues and try out a new-to-her-layout of colors ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Happy Birthday to my Favorite Superhero 15 years ago My Better Half and I were gifted with the care and upbringing of a child overflowing with boundless joy and a belly laugh worthy of someone 200xs his size.   This little pea has grown into the most extraordinary young man, and I could not be prouder than when I hear him call me "Mom."   Happy birthday, Caped Crusader! Here's to a wonderful year!!     Oh Yeah, I Almost Forgot... Recent events have been a distraction - I've sorely neglected promotional duties for tomorrow evening's live paint event. I will join a handful of other artists painting live at Merge Gallery(Oxford, Michigan) from 5-9pm. I plan on starting - and finishing - a large water dog piece. Please come by and visit - and cast your vote for your favorite artist!!