STUDIO NEWS November 2019

Me at the Rebecca Louise Law installation currently at Meijer Gardens through March 1, 2020. Photo courtesy of My Better Half.

Studio Newsletter, November 2019

I'm still adjusting to the time change - now the afternoon light wanes long before I do. It's a reminder to slow down and settle in for a season of reflection, both personal and professional. While the fourth quarter of the year typically represents more than half of my annual sales and can be a bit crazed, it is also followed by time specifically set aside for introspection and goal planning.

I look back to November of last year, when I was unpacking and consolidating two studios into my compacted little home space, and truly wish I had held greater trust that the universe would deliver beauty from the upheaval. I'll carry this lesson into 2020 - who knows what wonder awaits me (although I most definitely have a wish list!!)? It's bound to be magical, as I step into 20 years of being a working artist.

Meanwhile, the exhibition season is winding down. I am honored to have two paintings hanging in Starkweather Gallery (Romeo, Michigan) as part of their 20th Anniversary exhibition - these Daydreams will stay through January 2020. And I have a piece in the online members show of the International Society of Experimental Artists (the link on their website isn't working, but here's a direct line to the show hosted on Smugmug).

In other news, I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop I took a couple weeks back with Lauren Everett Finn. She is a generous teacher and a delight to create with - if you get the chance to study with her, please jump on it! I am still working through ideas and paths she set me loose onto. There's plenty of material to carry me forward for a bit. And I've got my sights on a couple additional learning opportunities in the New Year, two with old favorites and one that'll really kick me out of my comfort zone.

This month I'll also focus on commissioned pet portraits (message me for more details - I can squeeze a couple more in!), working out logistics for the newest incarnation of Daydreams, and some online classroom discussions related to developing one's own style (at $5/month, a subscription to my virtual class would make a great gift for anyone wishing to nurture their own creation process). If you are looking for clever gift ideas, may I suggest my FineArtAmerica storefront, where my artwork can be reproduced on a variety of items, including traditional print surfaces, along with blankets, tote bags, notebooks, mugs, smartphone cases, etc.

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday - and having married a Canadian, I am lucky enough to get to celebrate it twice. This year Turkey Round 2 will be here in our home with the Kelly's. And you can bet there will be thanks given for each of you reading this.

And, finally, please let me know what you think. I'm always listening. Feel free to respond to this newsletter, shoot me an email, comment on the blog or interact via Facebook or Instagram. Locals can join my journaling group that meets monthly. There's all sorts of ways for us to connect!

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

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

“Rapt (Shadow),” from the Larger than Life series, 16”x22”, acrylic black lab mixed breed pet portrait on gallery wrapped canvas, $699. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. This is Shadow, who went missing on Sunday night. He belongs to a friend of mine, and has been a fixture in our community for many years. Errant fireworks scared the silly old guy into running off, and his family is busy searching for him. (If you happen to be in the Lake Orion/Oakland County area and have seen Shadow, please call 248-391-0867 or 248-391-6817) I’m confidant that he is safe (somewhere!) and awaiting discovery, but meanwhile, couldn’t help myself from posting his portrait as today’s dog a day painting . He’s constantly on my mind, and probably will remain so, until he finds his way back home. Hug your four legged guys while you can! Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with friends and family, Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ dis

NEW! Etsy Store

One of my favorite unsold paintings from 2008, "Lashes & Corkscrews," 5" x 8", acrylic on canvasboard, depicting a tobiano buckskin curly horse, $289. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com (but read further on how you can get a special deal on this painting!). Now it's ridiculously easy to browse my painting archives. All you have to do is visit my Etsy store . Etsy has a Shopping Cart (so you can pile it high with purchases from a variety of artists), is integrated with Paypal (although you may still pay by check if you prefer to), and is terribly simple to navigate. When the week has ended, I will have listed almost 100 of my favorite (UNSOLD!) paintings here, grouped loosely by subject matter. During 2009 I'll update the shop regularly, and add non-Dog-a-Day pieces as a bonus, thus making it easy to search for that perfect gift. Watch my daily postings for announcements, promotions and discount codes. If you do not receive the Dog-a-Day emails (

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