Studio News June 2019

Rare documentation of the Santini family, from left, The Caped Crusader, Salvador Doggie, My Better Half, The Princess, myself, Blue Dog and The Man Child. Finnigan slept through this photo opp, as nearly blind and mostly deaf dogs tend to do.

Studio Newsletter, June 2019

So spring has been coming, and going, the last month. As someone who abhores winter, this is a rather daunting turn of events. I'm adapting with flannels and Birkenstocks, and hoping that things will warm up SOON.

May was an emotional month. On top of the whole weather teetering bit and a rather disappointing Kentucky Derby there were no winners this year, particularly not the sport itself), my youngest graduated from high school. She also finished a lifetime of competitive dance, having shared the stage with some of her teammates since preschool. There were many ceremonies, performances, banquets, celebrations and tears. And I know there will be more to come as she readies to fly the nest this fall. I took some time away from the easel to be fully present at each of the markers, and once again, I found myself so grateful to have a career that allows this sort of flexibility. (I'm also grateful the kids are older and I am no longer summer vacationing with them during daylight hours and pulling all night painting sessions, like I did for many years!).

The two person show with Colorado painter Kate Dardine at The Art of Custom Framing in Troy, Michigan. "Muses, Myths and Magic" came down a few weeks ago. Currently all of Kate's paintings are here with me. I will ship them off in the next 10 days or so, and will truly miss their company. Kate's work touches me deeply and weaves a marvelous story parallel to my own wanderings. Meanwhile, if you are interested in something special that was included in this show, please reach out. I know we would love to work with you in bringing one home.

I am investing in myself over the coming months, continuing to study with some of my favorite inspiring people, like Stanka Kordic, Ardith Goodwin, Lynn Whipple and Meighan Jackson. I am seeking a deeper understanding of my own visual vocabulary, along with learning new approaches to making art, and right now these women's teachings (online and in person instruction) are storming the way.

f you follow me on Facebook you might have seen some of my newer large scale paintings (boy does it feel good to go BIG again - I've not done this since ArtPrize 2016!). I also am building an inventory of smaller works designed for exhibitions, while also writing for grants and seeking various other opportunities to share my work. I do have a pocket of time this summer for a commission, so shoot me an email if you are looking for a portrait.

And a reminder that I have my own online classroom space via Patreon - a mere $5/month gives you access to exclusive content, including painting process videos and problem solving strategies. The classroom community is growing, and I'd love to see you join us on our journey.

Thanks, as always, for following along with my art and musings,
Warmly, Kim

“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...

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