The Best Laid Plans ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

For the past month I've been talking up ordering greeting cards featuring one of the Dog a Day paintings. I even went so far as to paint Mona Lisa in a tangle of lights, giving you all plenty of time to create your mailing lists and get them ordered. And then the rug gets pulled out from under my feet. It would appear that the company I was previously using to manage my notecard creation decided they didn't want to do that anymore. Except that they didn't bother to tell their customers this. (You should hear the hoopla going on over on their forums! ouch!) However, all is not lost. I've now forged a partnership with a new company (FineArtAmerica), and am uploading images as quickly as possible. And the flip side is that FineArtAmerica allows me greater control of my images - their products are of the highest quality, their reputation is solid, managing my files with their system takes less time than with my previous partner, and their cost is much lower! Which means better service for you and better service for me. Total win-win. So perhaps I should send a thank you letter to my prior print on demand supplier. What do you think?! Yeah, it might be a little bitter. Thanks for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com PS Artist Q&A Day will be this Friday, December 3rd! The Tote Board "The Tote Board," from The Saratoga Series, 8" x 5", acrylic on board beautifully framed, currently part of the "Le Cheval" exhibit at Cazenovia College, Cazenovia, New York. I received word last week that my painting "The Tote Board" will be included in Polo Players Edition's 25th Annual Sporting Art Issue. This is my third time participating in the Sporting Art Issue, and such a tremendous honor to be one of 25 artists from around the world profiled in this milestone publication. Individual copies (or subscriptions) can be ordered via the magazine's website. Meanwhile, the painting remains available and can be added to your personal collection for $439. "The Tote Board," along with 5 other pieces from my Saratoga Series (and a mess of excellent art from other selected talents), will be on display at Cazenovia College through December 9th. I'd love to ship it to you, and we could do so prior to the New Year. Contact me and we'll arrange the details.

LABRADOR RETRIEVER WATERCOLOR ART BY SHEILA WEDEGIS

A torn Meniscus and surgery of my knee turned me towards painting in watercolors. To my surprise I love the whole process and have found a new way to express my love of Labrador Retrievers.

This is a small 6" x 4" watercolor with gouache highlights.

If you are interested in this piece or others I have done during my Serendipidous "ordeal" please look at my blog.

http://www.sheilawedegis.blogspot.com/

A special favorite that I painted you will find on

http://www.savingalabaday.blogspot.com/ with proceeds to help Heart of Texas Lab Rescue

Thanks for looking.

Sheila M. Wedegis Palm Bay, Florida

sophie@palm-spirit.com

http://www.labradorretreieverart.com/

Commissioned Dog Portrait "Angel" Oil by Charlotte Yealey

8x10
Oil
This is "Angel" who is missed very much by her owner . Angel was a one eyed Rottweiler and best friend of Bridget, my online friend. Check out her blog and see all her pets. She makes beautiful jewelry.
www.heartofacowgirl.blogspot.com

Rio, Painted Sketch ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Rio," image approximately 5-1/2" x 5" and roughly centered on a 7" x 10" sheet of Multimedia Artboard, sketch done in Golden Open Acrylics, commissioned portrait of a shelter rescue, private collection (THANK YOU!!). Also, Rio's a Christmas gift, so if you know his family, please don't spoil the surprise. Rio's portrait looks differently than my other works, I know. It's what I consider a sketch, even though it's done in paint. I offer sketches on this fabulous paper that is almost like a board - and I can size the piece to match your wall or budget or dog (the paper comes in 22" x 30" sheets). Let me know if you are interested. Last night I put the third Dog a Day book to bed!! "Come Sit Stay" is well over 100 full-color pages packed with reproductions of my favorite paintings from 2009, an essay about the year, several lesson paintings, and more. The books will be available at the end of next week - I'll send an announcement once I have something set up to preview online. I'll be contacting those collectors who own a painting that's in the book, too, so you'll know right up front whether or not your piece is in there. I don't want anyone guessing or wondering! Thanks for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family - And here's to a Thanksgiving table heaped with blessings, both yours and mine - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com PS I toyed with the idea of moving Artist Q&A Day, which typically falls on the last Friday of the month, to tomorrow in order to accommodate those who are off for the American Thanksgiving weekend. However, after considerable thought (and realizing that many take the Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving off also), I'm going to instead shift it all to Friday, December 3rd. Reworked Sometimes a day just isn't enough time. For whatever reason - unplanned interruptions or speed bumps along the painting path or a client wanting minor tweaks - I will find a cause to go back into a painting and rework it. With these the pieces "Come," above, and "Play," below, I was overly ambitious, attempting to finish the two of them in one day. I struggled with some drawing issues (yes, I have off days just like the rest of the world!) and didn't have the paintings where I wanted them to be by the end of my day's painting session. This afternoon I got to go back into them both and am much happier with the end results. Sometimes all it takes is perseverance!

A Yorkie Profile ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"A Yorkie Profile," 8" x 10", Golden Open Acrylics on an Ampersand Gessobord, commissioned portrait of a much loved and very missed Yorkie. The painting is a Christmas gift, so please, if you think you know this little one's family, refrain from mentioning a thing. We can keep secrets, right? I shot video footage of this painting in progress - once I get the piece edited and uploaded to YouTube, I'll add it to the Painting a Dog a Day blog. This should be highly entertaining given that I realized mid-stream I was gulping my lunch down, all on camera. Anyone care to join me for a turkey on wheat? Since I'm getting a lot more time at the easel these days (the kids are all over the computer every minute they are home), I can squeeze in a few more holiday portraits. Send me an email and we can start talking about how to get you at the top of someone's list of favorite peeps. Thanks for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Blackie ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

I'm delighted to share that the above painting "Blackie," 18" x 14", acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas, one of my favorite pieces from the "Larger than Life" series (2002-2007), has found a wonderful forever home. Very warm thanks to my collector and Blackie's new Mom, who sent me her Christmas Wish List yesterday. I was more than happy to partner with "Santa" and get Blackie into her home just in time to enjoy the holidays! This afternoon I'm adding a few more paintings to my Etsy store - perhaps there's one (or two) that you could put on your list? Just let me know! or Santa, too. Thanks for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Timing is Everything Or so I've heard. Which means going forward you can expect to see the Painting a Dog a Day Newsletter hit your mailbox mid-day as opposed to in the wee hours. As in the past, newsletter subscribers (if the Dog a Day paintings come into your mailbox, you are a newsletter subscriber) will receive the paintings several hours prior to anything getting updated to the blog (which is here, right here, where you are currently reading). This gives subscribers preferential purchasing opportunities and bragging rights ("I saw it first!"). If you want to be a subscriber (it's free, by the way!), just train your email to fetch (again here, right here, in the sidebar to the left, up near the top of the page). And by the way, I will never sell or share your contact information with anyone. Inquiries may always come to me.

"Sun Bench" a new Molly Poole watercolor and casein painting

"Sun Bench" Allie and Tango. A 11"x14" watercolor and casein on 140lb HP Fabriano watercolor paper.
This painting is a commission piece I just put the finishing touches on and will be delivering to the client just in time for the holidays.
I had the opportunity to meet and photograph these two lovely Labs this summer. They were so mellow and sweet and I hoped to let their mellow spirit shine through in this painting.
When I hand deliver this painting to the client, I will be tucking a few treats in my pocket to give to these lovely ladies!
You can see more of my original artwork and commission works on my website granitedog.com
You can also see my newest work and works in progress on my Facebook page

Introducing the Vs (Power Paws) ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Introducing the V's (Power Paws)," 11" x 14", Golden Open Acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord, depicting a litter of 10 soon-to-be-assistance-dog puppies. This original painting glows in person - it seems a crime to view it only on the computer - but in an attempt to share the level of detail, I've included a close up below. You can proudly hang "The V's" on your wall and make a donation to the assistance dog organization Power Paws at the same time. This painting is available for $699 (don't forget that preferred collectors get 10% off their purchases, too). Last week you might recall that I painted another Power Paws puppy Rusty. Rusty's family sent me photos of their newest litter of 4 legged heros, and I got to thinking. How cool would it be to chronicle the life of a service dog through the Dog a Day paintings? It didn't take long for the details to get ironed out (thank you to all involved!!), and here is the first of my newest series of paintings. Here's how it'll work: Periodically I'll profile pups from the "V" litter and share bits of their lifestories. My goal is to do at least one a month, but you might see them more frequently than this. Another important detail: 20% of the proceeds from the artwork sales will go back to Power Paws, so that they may continue touching lives. So let's give a warm welcome to these 10 pups - I don't know what exactly is in store for them, but I do know they are going to go on to do some most excellent things. Thanks for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Holiday Note Cards "Holiday Lights (Mona Lisa, 2010)," 5" x 7", Golden Open Acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord, depicting a four month old Mona nestled amidst a tangle of Christmas lights. You can snag the original for $289 by being the first to email. Order notecards of "Holiday Lights" by visiting my Imagekind shop.

Yellow Labs by Catherine Temple

I recently finished this acrylic and gouache portrait of two wonderful yellow labs for a new client of mine from Kansas. The portrait came about because this client was visiting some family here in Washington who happened to be past clients of mine from when I painted their lab mix, Hannah, some years back. They were impressed enough with the portrait to take some time out of their vacation to stop in for a visit with me and talk to me about details for a portrait of their own.


Portraits make wonderful gifts for family and friends and any occasion is a good reason to commission one. This one is going to be a surprise for his wife's birthday. With the holidays coming maybe you'd like one for yourself or the pet lover in your life. 


Catherine Temple
www.petportraitsbycatherine.com


ctemple99@gmail.com

Yellow Labrador Retriever by Dawn Secord

This is the second painting of Syrah. The first painting showed her as a young dog in a meadow surrounded by brilliant purple blooms.

In this painting the owners wanted to reflect Syrah as she is today - 14 years old. We took a volume of photos of her. We photographed her in her home in several rooms, outside in the front yard, on the side yard under the arbor and the cherry tree blossoms, in the backyard on a chaise lounge. There was one photo that was precious to her owner and it was a photo taken at a down angle. (this was a private photo taken by the owners)

We all went back and forth discussing what photo would best capture Syrah at this point in time. The background of the painting was definitely going to be the arbor and the cherry blossoms. That simple fact knocked out the favorite photo taken by her owners looking down on Syrah (which is used as her computer screen saver).

The final decision was to use all the photos. I had taken a photo of Syrah laying under the dining room table with her woobie toy as a pillow. The angle would work for the cherry blossom background. The favored "screen saver" photo would be used to adjust the chiseling on her face and capture the her beautiful. Working with her owners to accomplish this painting was a joy and we are all very happy with the results.

Dawn Secord

http://www.dawnsecord.com/

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

http://www.DawnSecord.com/commissioninformation.html

http://www.DawnSecord.com/printsforsale.html

http://www.cafepress.com/dawnsecord

Growing Up ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

FROM TOP: "Little Boy," 6" x 8", Raymar panel, and "Young Man," 6" square, Ampersand Gessobord. Both portraits depicting a yellow lab service dog pup, both pieces done in Golden Open Acrylics. One for my client (once they choose) and one for another lucky soul. Inquiries may always come to me. I could not decide how best to paint Rusty for his foster parents, who are raising him on behalf of Power Paws, an assistance dog organization. My clients will ensure that Rusty grows up well socialized and with excellent manners, before turning him over to Power Paws for task specific training. Rusty's training will be designed specifically to provide a disabled person greater independence. We all know how hard it is to raise a puppy. Can you imagine doing this, knowing the dog was in your home for just a short time? Now granted, the dog IS moving on to a greater job, but nevertheless it takes very special families to foster service dogs. And my clients are no exception - they are long time collectors turned friends who travelled with Rusty to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary this past summer just to meet up with me! So the pressure was on - should I paint Rusty as a puppy, which he was for the majority of his time with my clients, or should I paint Rusty as a young man, ready to move forward and make a tremendous difference in someone's world? I waffled, even after chocolate. So I painted him both ways and asked my clients to choose. Not fair, I know - but now there are two versions of this sweet boy's face. Two versions that will brighten up two homes, while the real Rusty moves onto a third. Thanks for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Collecting Art You know the feeling when you see a piece of art that touches your soul for the very first time? You catch your breath - is it really that perfect? - and you step in closer to get a more detailed look. Your breathing slows, your smile widens, and your eyes caress the surface of the piece. You reach a point where you simply cannot get enough. With each new discovery inside the painting (or sculpture or whatever), another connection is made, and you fall further in love with the piece. You try to imagine where you would display the art in your house or apartment. It's gotta be a special spot where you can enjoy it every day. Once you picture it in place, nothing else will do. You imagine the joy and clarity your days would gain were you to live with that piece of art. You look forward to sharing it with your friends and family, who will fall in love with the brilliance of your choice. At this point there's no turning back. You have to own it. Perhaps more so because I am an artist, I fall hard for art. Really hard, like teenager in love for the first time hard. Lots of people ask why I bother purchasing, when I could just make something similar myself. But that's not the point. I suppose if I felt the need, I could hole up and make a copy of, say, one of Katie Upton's paintings (which I WILL own one day, I promise). But what I created would not be the same - it would be a derivative of her idea, her talent, and her desire. And if I (and others) stopped buying original art, how would the artists who breathe so much beauty into our worlds be able to continue to do so? So I squirrel a little bit of money away and I fantasize about who I'll purchase next. Enjoy my latest acquisition, "Fiddle Head Ferns" byElizabeth St Hilaire Nelson. I coveted this one from the moment I first saw it many months ago and visualized it hanging in my kitchen. And now it's there for real, not just in my imagination. I'm off to make some pasta and sip a glass of wine with my ferns. Art is a highly affordable way to bring personality and uniqueness to your home, and it makes for an especially thoughtful gift. I encourage those interested to visit Etsy and learn for themselves exactly how inexpensively one can begin their own collection of art.

Munchkin Gets A Chance by Carol Chretien

12x12

oil on canvas

MUNCHKIN GETS A CHANCE

by

CAROL CHRETIEN

****
Munchkin

Munchkin is in foster care and rehabbing to be available for adoption!

Bilateral Knee Surgery has been done and now Munchkin gets a chance at a normal life.

You can read all about it here:

http://www.friendsoffalmouthdogs.org/munchkinsurgery.html

for the cost of a coffee, a donation to the rescue will enter your name to win this painting

and add to your canine art collection.

We help one animal at a time!

thanks so much for looking!

Thanks for your support of rescue with a purchase of fine art.
***

email: carolchretien@aol.com with any questions

Timeless ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Timeless (A Black Lab)," 4" x 6", Golden Open Acrylics on Raymar panel, portrait of a black labrador retriever, $239 (less 10% if you already own an original of mine). Inquiries may always come to me. I painted another version of this handsome guy for a client yesterday - it's a gift, so shh!! - but his face was so wonderful that I had to do a second portrait. One for her and one for.... you? it could be - "Timeless" will go to the first one asking politely! I'm participating in 30 Days of Gratitude during the month of November. Each day I will consciously be thankful for something I might otherwise gloss over or take for granted. A couple of friends started it up on Facebook yesterday and I appreciate their allowing me to blatantly copy their idea. Which dovetails nicely into the studio's new Gratitude Project. It's been a while since I actively profiled shelter animals, but I've been working behind the scenes since this summer to partner with a variety of groups across the country. The first installment will happen later this week - I'll paint a shelter animal, share a bit of his/her story, and when the painting sells, the proceeds go back to the host group/organization. I can't wait to get started!! Thank yous go out to everyone who participated in the conversation on Friday during Artist Q&A Day. There was some nice dialogue about talent, abstract art, valuable feedback, and what kind of tree I'd be, along with other things. I encourage you to take a quick read through the ideas in the comments section of Friday's blog post. We'll do this again at the end of November. Thanks for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Detailed Photographs of Kalaidaescope I posted some detailed scans of the entire collaged painting I completed last week on the studio's Facebook page. (Don't worry - you don't have to be a "friend" to view the pics) Your comments are very much appreciated! Now to come up with an idea for my next collaged piece. Not even sure where to start, but i'll be sifting through reference photos and stirring the idea pot up. That is after I pick all the bits of paper up in the studio. Collage + Kitten = Mess. A Huge Mess. Fellow Americans, please go vote today. This is a tremendous right, the gift of being able to choose our leadership. Your voice is too important to go to waste.

LABRADOR RETRIEVER WATERCOLOR by ARTIST SHEILA WEDEGIS

Watercolors Sheila?  We thought you did oils?

Well after I did an incredible acrobat off my treadmill and tore my acl and meniscus I decided to sit for awhile.  I decided to go back to doing watercolors and seeing how my Labs would transfer to that medium. Oh I am having SO much fun!!!

I did need to rethink how I was doing things. With oils I add my highlights last but with watercolors, you need to plan where those highlights will be and go fromlight to dark.

This watercolor and gouache is 8 3/8" x 8 3/8" on 300lb Fabriano watercolor paper. I will be double matting it. A look I love.

To make this artwork yours please go to my blog:

http://www.sheilawedegis.blogspot.com/

Thanks for looking. Oh..and surgery is Nov. 19.  Sigh.

Sheila M. Wedegis Palm Bay, Florida 32907

http://www.labradorretrieverart.com/

sophie@palm-spirit.com

Take A Bow

Take A Bow

6"x6" oil on linen panel

I have not posted on this blog for a very, very long time!  I have been busy with various other artistic projects this summer, and away from painting many dogs.  I have been working on some small, 5"x5" and 6"x6" oil paintings.  I will get them up here for everyone to take a look at.  This little guy just was so fun, and literally fell off my brushes in about 15 minutes.  I have been working hard to simplify my paintings, which is so hard!  I hope you enjoy this and would love to hear from you.  Happy November!