November 2015 Studio Newsletter

WISHING YOU A SEASON FILLED WITH WAGGING TAILS AND GRATITUDE

It's been too long since I sent out an actual newsletter. I get caught up in life at the easel and in the real world, and haven't made staying in touch a big enough priority. I got lazy. I'll admit it.

Recently in my personal life I have been focusing on being fully present and practicing authenticity. This consciousness has leaked into everything I do, which is a beautiful thing. As a consequence, I have realized that reaching out and staying in touch with you is a critical piece of choosing to share my gratitude.

I am so blessed to be able to paint and earn a living with my art, and I am so blessed to have this community of fans and friends who make it a possibility. So I'm packing this newsletter up with a virtual warm brownie and a giant bearhug. And the promise that I will work harder at nurturing our relationship and sharing with you in the future.

So please, if you are so inclined, take that virtual brownie and settle in to read about what's been happening in the studio.

Warmly, Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Recap of Kentucky Derby

Hard to believe that it was nearly a year ago I went public with the news I was the 2015 Kentucky Derby artist. Many, many thanks to Clare Jett (pictured at left, photo courtesy of Irvine Park Images) for the cold call made 2 summer's ago offering me the job. Follow my Kentucky Derby journey in this photo essay.

A limited number of personalized Kentucky Derby and Oaks posters remain available. Please inquire.

Commissions Available

Gifting original art, especially a pet portrait, will get you a secure spot on their list of favorites. Can't get your hands on photos without ruining the surprise? That's ok - we'll put together a certificate and allow the recipient to participate in the process. I have a handful of holiday commission spots remaining, with prices starting at $399. Inquire directly and let's get the process started.

Painting on Copper

I have been busy intensely studying and actively learning, and paintings on copper are one of my new explorations. Light interacts and changes the copper surface as the viewer approaches/moves, and these pieces are stunning when viewed in person. Follow along on my copper painting adventure. View videos of the works

Want to Paint With Me?

I am scheduling multi-day workshops for 2016 and look forward to traveling to your neck of the woods. If you would like to host a workshop, it's a fairly simple process, and we should talk.

I am also continuing local grownUPs Journaling classes (3rd Thursdays of each month) and am accepting a few private students (children and adults).

Contact me for more information.

Add to Your Collection (or Start One Now!)

Shop originals available

I offer reproductions, cell phone cases, tote bags, tshirts, notecards, shower curtains, pillows and duvet covers featuring my artwork. They make fantastic gifts for yourself or someone special on your list. Take a peek at all of the reproduction options in my FineArtAmerica storefront

A Dog Named Blue

This book of color is a perfect gift for toddlers from their pet-loving friends and relatives. Each page contains a full color reproduction of one of my animal paintings, with delightful color-centric puns and activities.

Additionally, there are 3 titles outlining my initial years as a daily painter (can you believe I'm in my 10th year?!)

All books available here.

I accept Paypal and personal checks.

Gift certificates and payment plans always available.

I want to get my artwork into your hands. Inquire and let's make it happen.

Many thanks to the following galleries for their hard work every single day of the year. You are welcome to visit and see my pieces (and some other fabulous art) in person.

Spa Fine Art, Saratoga Springs, NY

Equis Art Gallery, Red Hook, NY

AKA Stella Gray, New Orleans, LA

I am seeking additional representation, and would particularly love to find a gallery space in Kentucky. I am not opposed to shipping or personally delivering my artwork elsewhere, either.

“Katie’s Moustache,” 6x12, pet portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, $90. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . One glimpse of Katie’s face, and I was hooked. Not only did she fall into my beloved “black & white” category, but she came with a full moustache and doe-like eyes. I first covered the canvas with a variety of blues and purples, using a (mixed) light green and pink for the highlights. (Right now my palette has been expanded to include the following: pthalo blue red, azurite hue, cad red dark, alizarine crimson, cad yellow dark, and then for graying/hazing out I use light green yellow and ultramarine purple.) I lighten with titanium white and darken with one of the blues and a touch of one of the reds. As a side note, at this time last year I was really struggling with my limited palette (I went from about 60 pots of paint to 3), but I have lived the benefits – I am so much more familiar with what I can mix given just this handful of colors. My paintings are also m...

Dear Copyright Thieves

Dear Copyright Thieves, Just because it's on the internet doesn't mean it's free for the taking. So let's just stop pretending the internet is a free-for-all. Don't play the card that you didn't know - that's insulting. And don't also tell me that you meant to follow up and get permission but never got a chance to. That's insulting too. And by the way, don't you have a copyright protection notice on your own site? And don't even try and point the finger at a third party who commissioned you to make a copy of my painting - again, an insult - you and I both know the difference between a reference photo and a painting. And don't tell me that I asked for it because I share my artwork on the internet. I share my paintings and ideas and the stories behind them so as to encourage others to pursue their own passions . I do not share so that those lacking integrity and morals can copy and market the images as their own...

Golden Open Acrylics

I get all sorts of process oriented questions. Most recently I've been getting asked a lot about my paints and palette, which made me realize what a nice blog topic this would make! I use a Masterson Sta-Wet Premier palette box . This is comprised of a box (think Tupperware) with a sponge liner and a slice of palette paper that work together to keep my paints wet. This setup allows me to work with the same palette for about a full week, having the box open for multiple hours every day. You can see what the palette looks like at the beginning of a new session above - below the exact same palette after this week's work. For the last 25 years I have used Golden brand acrylics, mediums, and varnish. I love the overall quality of these paints and the fact that, when I have a question, their customer service department is made up of artists who actually use the products. Until last year, I used their Heavy Body paints exclusively. They have a buttery consistency, a little loose...

Paintings With Soul

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