Snow Bunny (Laika) - Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Snow Bunny (Laika)," 8" square, acrylic on panel, commissioned pet portrait of a rescued mixed breed (Husky-retriever mix?), private collection (THANK YOU!). Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me.

Laika joined her family after they lost another dear rescue, Hachi (who I've also painted - you can see his portrait here). Laika was discovered at a rescue event, and her peeps fell head over heels in love with her sweet nature and gloriously soft fur.

Looking to add another member to your family? Check with your local shelter to learn more about adoption events in your area. There's so many wonderful companion animals looking for new homes - and it could be yours!!

Thanks, as always, for looking at - and sharing - my artwork and musings with your friends and family.

Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

www.paintingadogaday.com

FACEBOOK: Kimberly Kelly Santini

TWITTER: ksantini

SHOP ORIGINALS & LIMITED EDITION GICLEES: at my Etsy shop

ORDER CUSTOMIZED NOTECARDS & REPRODUCTIONS: at Imagekind

COMMISSION A PET PORTRAIT: contact me

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE: contact me

READING MATERIAL: Preview and order each of the Dog a Day books at the publisher's website: The First Year (2006-2007) and That's 14 in Dog Years (2008). If you would like your copy personalized, order them through me.

Teddy and Becky

This is a portrait of "Teddy" and "Becky", two very sweet Germain Short-haired Pointers rescued by my brother his wife, and daughter (in the background). I'm told these two dogs play a game of pushing each other off the bed! I really enjoyed capturing this moment in the kitchen, as they were waiting for their meal.

Please visit:

My website: www.janeoriel.com

My Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/jane.oriel.art

Bull - Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Bull," 8" x 7" sketch, done in Golden Open Acrylics on multimedia artboard, private collection (THANK YOU!). Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, sketches starting at $29) may always come to me.

Bull is also a gift, so if you know his family, please keep this hush hush. We don't want to ruin the surprise.

A special welcome to the new Dog a Day readers who have wandered over from the Daily Painter's site - glad to have you here!! I try to create 4-5 new pet portraits each week, and share a little bit about my subjects or my process or whatever seems pressing at the moment. Welcome to the club!

However, that said, I'm punching out for the remainder of the week. Please don't take offense - my brother is getting married (and I cannot wait to gather with my extended family to celebrate a new sister)! Then on Sunday I have my first Creative Journalling workshop session - 12 students ready to put pen to paper and express themselves, which I am also very excited about.

Between earthquakes and inclement weather, stay safe this weekend. And stay tuned for some exciting faces come next week - I have airedales, a husky mix, bassets and a few other great dogs lined up.

Thanks, as always, for looking at - and sharing - my artwork and musings with your friends and family.

Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

www.paintingadogaday.com

FACEBOOK: Kimberly Kelly Santini

TWITTER: ksantini

SHOP ORIGINALS & LIMITED EDITION GICLEES: at my Etsy shop

ORDER CUSTOMIZED NOTECARDS & REPRODUCTIONS: at Imagekind

COMMISSION A PET PORTRAIT: contact me

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE: contact me

READING MATERIAL: Preview and order each of the Dog a Day books at the publisher's website: The First Year (2006-2007) and That's 14 in Dog Years (2008). If you would like your copy personalized, order them through me.

Golden Retriever Oil Painting by Charlotte Yealey

8x10
oil
This is a painting I created of a Golden Retriever.
Prints of this painting can be purchased at
www.fineartamerica.com/profiles/charlotte-yealey.html

Blue Weimaraner new drawing by Sheona Hamilton-Grant

Detail of portrait study

Yeah!

At last I can show you one of the drawings that kept me scribbling for most of May. Long days and long nights were on the menu as I scrounged hours,minutes and seconds wherever I could find them.
Big thank-you to my friend and fellow artist Linda Shantz for her precious musical tips. She introduced me to Biffy Clyro (the best Scottisch band of the moment) & Mumford & Sons. These guys got me through the hours and dead-line stress with a good rythm in my stroke :D

The result is "Ida". Ida is just gorgeous: a blue Weimaraner with the most amazing light eyes I have ever seen.

The colour and texture of her coat were brilliant to draw, I guess simply because it is so out of the ordinary.(Miles away from curls and long hair)
Smooth shades of grey that transcend into darker values subtly but quite radically.

Ida
Pencil on Paper. 38x55cm
Sheona hamilton-Grant. All rights reserved.
Sold

Ida's portrait is now hanging in Germany up North where, hopefully, summer is swinging a wee bit more than down here in the south of Belgium!

Meet Spirit Dog - Donations needed for Medical bills-chance to win copy of painting

I was blessed with the ability to paint animals. My art makes people happy and in return I  am rewarded each time with meeting wonderful people and improving my artistic skills.

I believe things happen for a reason. I never knew I had this ability to capture the spirit of an animal.
Painting weekly for the past seven months has given me the ability to help rescues with donations based on a percentage of my earnings and free paintings for people who love art and animal, but can not afford to purchase it. Each time I give of myself I am blessed with more ability to create even better paintings. I think there is a destiny waiting for me to help people in a way I never thought imaginable.

Make your donation here. Mark it Spirit Dog and make sure to  include your address

5.00 Donations for Medical bills here - chance to win copy of painting

PLEASE SHARE THIS BLOG - with all of your animal loving friends-  Service dogs need help sometimes too. : )

DONATIONS ARE NOW COMING IN. THANKS!!!!!!!

Spirit Dog is a  medical alert service dog - and  I was struck by this most beautiful photo. Even though I have so many commissions waiting, I could not help but ask. "May I paint this photo?

meet Spirit Dog - here on FB
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spirit-doggie/247856493310#!/pages/Spirit-doggie/247856493310?ref=ts

Spirit and her wonderful owner need our help.
For every $5.00 donated - You will have one chance to receive a copy of my painting and the feeing in your heart that you helped someone in need.
I found out that the woman that owns this dog, has medical needs and so does Spirit - for Spirit is
her service dog and saved her life. She cannot afford a painting. But with mycompassion and gift of the ability to create art; I can give her that painting.
But, since I'm just an emerging artist and don't make a lot of money,
I want to ask for help - so together we can find compassion and help her dog Spirit w/the medical bills.
For each time you give of yourself you will be rewarded many more times.

Here is what she wrote to me.

Kara Peterson June 19 at 11:18am

Spirit is my medical alert service dog, she keeps me alive and I depend on her. I am a disabled RN, I worked in pediatrics at the hospital. I came down with a very severe and deadly latex allergy that causes me into shock. Long story short, she is why I am alive, and continues to be alive!

Medical bills are killing me, and not just for me, Spirit has a health issue too, a bladder problem and is on meds twice a day.

I would love a painting of Spirit more than anything, but I worry about the cost? She is more than a dog, she is not a pet but a service animal, yet that sounds so cold. She is a part of me, part of my heart, and we never separate. Is there something I can do to help me get a painting of Spirit?

meet me on my FB page here http://www.facebook.com/pam.utton.art?ref=ts

Kara Peterson June 19 at 12:32pm

I just sent out a letter to friends and family, hopefully we will raise a good amount.

I think God brings certain people in my life for a reason, and things that should happen do. I have been deadly sick, I am only 41, and this is just a very strong life threatening allergy to latex that has me down. This week I have been a little more emotional than usual. I am not a complainer, however I finally broke down because I am no longer having "good" days. I went into shock three times in two days, that happens, but with the pneumonia it is worse. I finally broke down and cried this week, I like to think of myself as a strong person, but I just got so overwhelmed I broke down and cried, I don't want to be sick any more. I prayed to God for some help, some relief of some sort, and to help me pull through this.

So yesterday I took Spirit to a park behind our house. My husband did not want me to go, I have been in the house a long time now and he worries about me. So just before the walk I posted Spirit's "Gopher huntin" photo and we drove the car a few houses down and went to the park. I saw a dog that looked just like one of Spirit's friends on line, I asked the man if I could take the dog’s photo. Spirit did have her vest on as it carries my meds. I spoke to this man a bit and he seemed to genuinely listening to my story.

He then asked me if he could write a story on us. Turns out he is high up at our local paper, and in our short 5 minute walk this was the only other dog person I had spoken too! They are everywhere. So that seemed to be a meeting that was planned.

Then I got home and saw you note. I actually cried and thanked God for these two miracles he gave me. Yes I think we were planned to meet. I know when I help people I feel better, and I guess I just needed to be on the other end for once. So I think this will be a great reward for us both! 

Feel the spirit of love and giving by making your donation - I'll be making T-shirts and mugs too @ Zazzle.com  Purchase Spirit Dog Products here

I'm painting as fast as I can! How to build a business on Facebook

I am an emerging artist, and chose facebook to test my market and develop my skill and customer base.
Why? Because it works. Facebook is one of the best places to meet people - gain knowledge and
find your market.
come watch me paint on FB

I've been painting with watercolors for about seven months. I had taken art in school
growing up and always had a passion for art and animals. So, after over twenty five years
of not being creative on paper, I decided it was about time.

So, first I set up a FB account
Made friends
chatted and got to know a lot of people
joined every art group I could find studied the photos of the art and joined in discussions.
Kept adding friends
Started painting - posted my work
joined more groups
I was asked by a friend if I could paint a dog for her. I did and it came out okay.
Posted and people liked it.
So, I was testing the waters - decided to give it a go. Told people I'd paint their pet
for 40.00 and if they didn't like it - no obligation to purchase.
After about 10 sales
Made a FAN page
joined all the rescue groups and animal lover groups I could find
Kept posting and sharing my work - kept adding fans
My skills increased fast - I was painting every day and loving it.
I offered give aways - free paintings and contests - paint this pet for interaction w/my fans.
I then began to offer 15% to rescues and did a raffle for a rescue w/free painting - all proceeds to
go to the rescue.

Keys to my success:
Market every day - post your work on all the sites you can
Set goals -reach them and set higher goals
Share w/others - make friends -
praise others work -we are all in the same boat
be sincere - be humble - be appreciative
Keep your prices realistic
Do what you say you will do
purchase the best materials you can afford - buy in bulk
join more groups - network w/other artists
paint as fast as you can, and never look back!

After six months my FB page has almost 3,000 people on it and I have made connections
with local rescue groups that have posted my link in exchange for 15% of my profits from
the orders it generates. For the first 17 days of June I have brought in over 1,000 - and
with paintings at an average of 60.00 each, that is a "painting as fast as I can".

My goal -
to have 10,000 fans
work full time as a painter
help animals w/my profits and love life. : )

Working on Bulldogs!

I have been working on bulldogs lately. I donated 15% to a couple of bulldog rescues. I'm hoping to get at least twelve of them so I can make up a calendar on my Zazzle site. This is my favorite breed to paint, because they all look different and have such wonderful expressions.  I've been using watercolor and painting portraits since December 2009. FB has allowed me to find so many art lovers that I'm busy almost every day. Painting pets in the evening is relaxing and
gives me great pleasure

Please visit me on FB and see what I'm painting next.
pet portraits - love those bulldogs

Dog Collages

I spend at least an hour every day looking at artwork in various forms - I have diverse taste and find inspiration in a huge variety of objects. I thought that the Dog a Day community might enjoy seeing some of the things that knock me silly, so decided to periodically share a little brilliance from some of my mentors.

Above are 4 delightful paper paintings by Elizabeth St Hilaire Nelson. I've been stalking her artwork for several years now - I first fell in love with her peacocks and birds, then her cows, and most recently her dogs.

It amazes me how accurately Elizabeth builds form with collage. The subtlety in her values is uncanny, all achieved by careful choice and placement of torn bits of paper. And when you visit her website to see these pieces up closer, you'll also notice the textual content of the papers corresponds with the subject matter.

For artists like myself, who are looking to say more with less brushwork, collaging in this fashion is a great exercise in extracting the important elements of a composition. And yes, it's obvious that my "Rusty" was very much inspired by her technique. (Thanks again, Elizabeth!)

If you are at all interested in the art of collage, I highly recommend her DVD. And her book. And simply studying what she's posted on her website and blog.

What do you think? shouldn't Elizabeth be doing commissioned portraits?

Thanks, as always, for looking at - and sharing - my artwork and musings with your friends and family.

Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

www.paintingadogaday.com

PSSST :: HAVE YOU VOTED? We're in the homestretch - only 5 days left to tell the world that Painting a Dog a Day should be the newest addition to the Daily Painters Group - so please go here and vote 5 stars. Pretty Please and Thank You!!

FACEBOOK: Kimberly Kelly Santini

TWITTER: ksantini

SHOP ORIGINALS & LIMITED EDITION GICLEES: at my Etsy shop

ORDER CUSTOMIZED NOTECARDS & REPRODUCTIONS: at Imagekind

COMMISSION A PET PORTRAIT: contact me

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE: contact me

READING MATERIAL: Preview and order each of the Dog a Day books at the publisher's website: The First Year (2006-2007) and That's 14 in Dog Years (2008). If you would like your copy personalized, order them through me.

PLEASE NOTE that all artwork on my website is copyright protected and reproduced with the permission of the author/artist. That's not just the case here, but pretty much everywhere else on the internet too. Ask before taking - I do !!

painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Grace's Throne," 18" x 24", Golden Open Acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord, commissioned pet portrait of a Chocolate Labrador Retriever, private collection (THANK YOU!). Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me - and it's not too early to start thinking about the holidays, either!

I couldn't get to the easel soon enough today - and while I'm sad to see Grace finished (which means she'll be leaving the studio and headed home), I've got this amazing adrenaline rush happening over the end result.

Up close, the paint is very loose, with luminous layers of glaze (see the detail below). Yet from a distance, everything melds together well, presenting a bold and harmoniously colored classic portrait.

Who's lined up for next week? Well, I've got two kitty commissions due and then I'm finishing up a handful of paintings for my solo exhibition, "Happily Ever After," at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary this August.

And of course I'll be drumming up votes for my campaign to be the newest Daily Painter. I'm roughly 50 votes out of first place - please vote one final time (this is the last stage of the competition) at the Daily Painters site. It takes all of 30 seconds to grab the link and vote 5 stars for my paintings - and then you can go make yourself a drink and kick back to celebrate the weekend.

Deal?

Thanks, as always, for looking at - and sharing - my artwork and musings with your friends and family.

Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

www.paintingadogaday.com

FACEBOOK: Kimberly Kelly Santini

TWITTER: ksantini

SHOP ORIGINALS & LIMITED EDITION GICLEES: at my Etsy shop

ORDER CUSTOMIZED NOTECARDS & REPRODUCTIONS: at Imagekind

COMMISSION A PET PORTRAIT: contact me

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE: contact me

READING MATERIAL: Preview and order each of the Dog a Day books at the publisher's website: The First Year (2006-2007) and That's 14 in Dog Years (2008). If you would like your copy personalized, order them through me.

Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

Still untitled ("Grace's Throne"?), 18" x 24", Golden Open Acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord commissioned pet portrait of a chocolate lab and her very special chair, private collection (THANK YOU!). Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me.

I've been plugging away on Grace's painting this week. I find myself getting lost in the patterned chair, but then have to come back and put more color and detail in her face. After all, it's a portrait of Grace, not the wingback.

What do I think works most successfully in this painting right now? Grace oozes relaxation - that's inherant to the drawing/her body language and has nothing to do with the paint/color. But the paint and color aren't so shabby either. Still a little too harsh, but after I scumble some softer glazes overtop, all will be perfect.

Thanks, as always, for looking at - and sharing - my artwork and musings with your friends and family.

Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

www.paintingadogaday.com

PS What am I going to say? Did you guess it? Go vote -http://www.dailypainters.com/blog/contest. I'm a mere 51 votes out of first place.

FACEBOOK: Kimberly Kelly Santini

TWITTER: ksantini

SHOP ORIGINALS & LIMITED EDITION GICLEES: at my Etsy shop

ORDER CUSTOMIZED NOTECARDS & REPRODUCTIONS: at Imagekind

COMMISSION A PET PORTRAIT: contact me

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE: contact me

READING MATERIAL: Preview and order each of the Dog a Day books at the publisher's website: The First Year(2006-2007) and That's 14 in Dog Years(2008). If you would like your copy personalized, order them through me.

We Love Our Pets

Detail of a small Prismacolor drawing in progress (7" x 9"). I have no shame--I often stop people when I'm out & ask if I can take a picture of their pet. The reference photo for this image was taken a year or so ago at Petco. I've yet to have anyone say "no"--everyone it seems is proud to show off their wonderful pets. You can see more of my work at my
blog and my website

Corgi puppies

Well, just having raised a littler of Corgi puppies, I had plenty of models for a series of prints! Honestly, is there anything cuter? 

 Or with more energy?

 This 9 x 12 portrait was created in pastels.
-M Theresa Brown

The Portraits
The Paintings  
The Team:   
The Career:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/mtheresabrown

Irish Setters by Dawn Secord

Here is my newest print release, "Generations". I am releasing the print while attending the 2010 Irish Setter Club of America National Specialty in Wisconsin.

The painting features three generations of female Irish. The "grandmother" looked so familiar to me. She lives in Michigan and is 12 years old. I kept staring at the photos my collector had sent me and thinking to myself, "Gee- this girl looks so familiar to me". So, I emailed the collector and asked the breeding of Rachel. Turns out she and my girl, Jewel, who is 11 1/2 have the same father.

My collector has never met Jewel. Well, that is until now. I'm at the National walking Jewel and out of the hotel walks "Rachel's" owner. I looked down at Jewel and asked her what she saw. She smiled at me and said "Rachel". The resemblance between the two is uncanny. The world can be so small.

Dawn Secord

website: http://www.dawnsecord.com/

blog: http://www.artofthedog.blogspot.com/

prints for sale: http://www.dawnsecord.com/printsforsale.html

commission information: http://www.dawnsecord.com/commissioninformation.html

Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

Untitled in-process painting starring Grace, a luscious Chocolate Lab. This painting is 18" x 24" (a big un!), done in Golden Open Acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord.

You met Grace last month, when I painted several preparatory studies (one here, and the other here). My client and I agreed that this was the pose with the most personality, and I got out the big brushes today.

I'm showing you the early stage of Grace's almost lifesized portrait - it will take me a little more than a day to finish (although if I had my way, there'de be cerael for dinner so I could just keep painting through the night! darn it - why'd I have to thaw out a roast?).

Tomorrow the top 5 artists are advanced to Round Three of the Daily Painters competition, so this is your last chance to vote in Round Two: please vote 5 gold stars for Painting a Dog a Day and help me earn a membership in this prestigious group of artists: http://www.dailypainters.com/blog/contest. You are invited to share the link with your friends and family and encourage them to do the same.

Thanks, as always, for looking at - and sharing - my artwork and musings with your friends and family,

Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

www.paintingadogaday.com

PS. PSST - Want to commission a portrait of your own? inquiries (sketches starting at $29, paintings at $209) may always come to me.

FACEBOOK: Kimberly Kelly Santini

TWITTER: ksantini

SHOP ORIGINALS & LIMITED EDITION GICLEES: at my Etsy shop

ORDER CUSTOMIZED NOTECARDS & REPRODUCTIONS: at Imagekind

COMMISSION A PET PORTRAIT: contact me

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE: contact me

READING MATERIAL: Preview and order each of the Dog a Day books at the publisher's website: The First Year (2006-2007) and That's 14 in Dog Years (2008). If you would like your copy personalized, order them through me.

Finished Commission

I've been busy thankfully working on commission pieces. Thank you all! I just finished this 20" x 16" painting and I'm thrilled as well as the client. I keep thinking how this would look larger!!

Would you like a portrait of your pets in action? Contact me at sophie@palm-spirit.com Make all your friends envious!
Thanks, Sheila



http://savingalabaday.blogspot.com/

http://www.labradorretrieverart.com/

LABRADOR RERTRIVER ART DAY 2 byOIL PAINTING ARTIST SHEILA M. WEDEGIS

Tough day trying to work. A massive storm came across Central Florida resulting in our loosing our lights for a few hours.  I did get to this point in the piece so onward tommorrow.!  Please return and see the finished oil painting.
Thanks, Sheila

SHEILA M.WEDEGIS, PALM BAY, FLORIDA

http://savingalabaday.blogspot.com

http://sheilawedegis.blogspot.com

http://.www.labradorretrieverart.com

Contact me for Commission work at;

sophie@palm-spirit.com

Regal Pit Bull

This rather regal looking Pit Bull Terrier doesn't need a full body dog portrait...his look and expression say it all!

Created by portrait artist, (and former dog show handler!) M. Theresa Brown,  this 11 x 14 portrait was created in pastels.

The Portraits  of people,animals and places

Sheltie Seasons - Spring

I decided to do a new series called SHELTIE SEASONS, and this is the first one, SHELTIE SPRING. I'm doing this series in watercolour, as I need to give my hands a break from Coloured Pencil, and because I love painting in watercolour. 'Sheltie Spring' is 11 x 14, on Arches 140 hot press. My paints are a mix of Winsor Newton and Daniel Smith watercolours.

There were many photos of pups to choose from in my files, but I always kept coming back to photos of one particular youngster - the one who was the biggest fluff-ball of any of our pups. He also had the biggest personality, and it has just got bigger as he has grown up. So I used him as the model for all three pups in this painting. Have you ever noticed that in every litter big enough, there is one who likes to sit back and watch, one who seems interested in everything, and one who is the catalyst of everything naughty. All puppies are adorable, but for us, nothing tugs at our hearts more than a baby Sheltie.

Heather Anderson

Sheltie Hollow www.heather-anderson-animals-in-art.com