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

Picture Book "A Dog Named Blue" - now available!!

The cover of "A Dog Named Blue," now available from Blurb publishers. When I first painted Amelia I never imagined that she would be re-christened "Blue" and inspire a book. In her defense, Amelia had a number of other partners in crime - animals who's portraits seemed to fall into a specific color category and prompt color-centric names. In typical ADD fashion, my brain started spinning 100mph. What if I turned those muses' paintings into a picture book for animal loving kids? I shared my idea with three friends in the industry, and they eagerly offered their expertise. I am truly indebted to them. Illustrator and author Matt Faulkner and children's book author and literacy expert Kristen Remenar edited an early version of the draft. They suggested key plot/conceptual changes that made it oodles better. Designer Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson worked her magic, pairing the images with perfectly color...

Tabby Kit

"Tabby Kit," 5" x 7", acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a tiny little orange striped guy from Morgue File . This painting can be yours for $289, which includes s&h inside the US. And in case you didn't see it, a little doodle of him is also available for sale here . Inquires may come directly to me . Although it certainly doesn't FEEL like spring here (snow and ice and wind chills, brr!), I can tell that spring is coming. The mercury is rising a wee bit each day and the days are getting longer and brighter. Over the weekend we drove with the moonroof open just to feel the sun's meager and oh-so-very-welcome warmth (although the heat in the car was cranked, too, in the interest of full disclosure!). I wanted to work with spring-like colors today, and this little guy was still on my mind , so I grabbed a small panel and got to work. Of course, I also have Poppy to finish and some changes to make to another po...

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...

Paintings With Soul

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