Kentucky Derby Week - Anyone's Race by Kimberly Santini

"Anyone's Race," 7" x 12", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a field of Thoroughbreds two strides into a race. This painting is available through Spa Fine Art (in Saratoga Springs New York) for $529 to the first one asking nicely. Spa also carries a large selection of other racing scenes. Please contact them for more information. To implement this month's desktop calendar, download the file directly from my website. I am by no means an expert on the variety of operating systems, so I highly recommend that if you don't know how to change your desktop wallpaper, don't email me for advice! Instead consult your computer's help files - they will be more concise, more knowledgeable and more responsive than I could ever hope to be. Thanks as always for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Saratoga ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

IN PROCESS, and untitled, 24" x 6", track scene from the early, early morning at Saratoga Race Track.  Inspired by many a morning spent hanging on the rail, listening to the horses and riders gallop past. This is acrylics on museum quality panel and will be for sale when finished - inquiries can come to moi!    I started this one last nite, and it proceeded along with a wee bit of drama - pics are on Facebook - I had planned to be done by now, but what can I do?   Thanks for following along, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Morning Rush Hour, The Saratoga Series ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

ABOVE, detail of "Morning Rush Hour," previously shared with the working title "Collected"), from "The Saratoga Series," 12" x 24", acrylic on museum quality panel, inspired from photos I shot in the early morning on the back side of Saratoga Race Track, $749. BELOW, complete painting.  Inquiries may come to me.   In process pics are on Facebook - there's a mess of them!   And now I'm off to paint a couple of commissioned portraits. Then it'll be back to the track scenes for a bit. And I'll squeeze in some new Ball Dogs, too.   Thanks for supporting my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Anyone's Race ~~ by Kimberly Kelly Santini

 

"Anyone's Race (was yesterday's Bunched Up)," 7" x 12", a painting in process of a field of Thoroughbreds (12 of them!), done in acrylics on a museum quality panel. $549 to the first asking nicely.

 

Inspired by a series of photos I shot on the backside at Saratoga last summer - standing nearly opposite the starting gate at the outer rail. These horses are on their second leap - it could be anyone's race.

 

LOTS of in process pics are on the studio Facebook page.

 

Many thanks, too, to everyone who bid on the horse paintings I auctioned off in the first part of the week.

 

Thanks for following along,

Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

 

PS If you didn't hear - I got an iPhone!! finally!!

Jockeying ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Jockeying," from The Saratoga Series, 5" x 20", depicting 5 jockeys and their mounts fighting for position, acrylics on museum quality panel, $599 to the first one asking nicely. Inquiries may come to me. Please and thank you. Remember the hot mess from a couple weeks back? Well, I sweated it through and signed off on it today. Feels darned good, too! This painting is part of a new body of work celebrating Saratoga Race Courses' 150th Anniversary. This summer I'm ushering in the track's birthday party with a live painting session at Spa Fine Art on Saturday July 27th. I was honored to be invited and those of you who joined me last year know how much fun we had - so mark your calendars. Let's do it again! There are lots of in process pics on the studio facebook page - you may have to scroll a bit through the Mobile Uploads folder, as progress on this painting stretched out well over a week. Now I'm off to get a couple sketches going. Thanks as always for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Slop ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Slop," 7" x 15", depicting a field of Thoroughbred race horses nearing the first turn at Saratoga Race Track, done in acrylics on museum quality panel, $529 to the firstasking nicely. Please works well.     In process pics are on the studio facebook page.   I literally stood in the pouring rain to get this reference photo. I was seriously waterlogged, no exaggeration. We're talking plastered hair, damp undergarments and puddles INSIDE my shoes. And while I am disappointed that the painting does not convey exactly HOW wet the conditions were, I do find other redeeming qualities in the piece.   "Slop" is headed to Spa Fine Art, my gallery in Saratoga, New York, as part of the track's impressive 150th birthday celebration this summer.   Unless you need this painting on your wall Right Now. In which case, email me and I'll make that happen.   Thanks as always for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

At the Gate ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

The newest painting in the Saratoga Series, "At the Gate," has been signed. The above photo is from my cell phone, and it's an in-process shot and a little blurry (my apologies) - I didn't think to take a clearer photo before delivering the panel to my framer for trimming. But I think you get the idea! Below is a detail of the same in-process stage.....       This painting will be coming with me to Spa Fine Art in Saratoga, New York - unless someone speaks up in the next 48 hours (email me!!).   The piece is roughly 4-1/2" x 18", done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, and $549.   In process images are on the studio Facebook page - you might have to scroll back through the weekend's posts, since I worked this one up on Saturday.   And yes I did say I was taking this with me to Saratoga - I leave tomorrow!! I'll be in New York through the weekend, and return to daily painting on Wednesday of next week.   Don't forget my live painting demonstration on Friday at Spa Fine Art!! You can call the gallery for details - 518-587-2411. I'm bringing a racing scene and another post parade composition along with me - both very challenging pieces, but ones that should prove to also be very entertaining.    Kim, who cannot wait to watch the sunrise over the track (and I'm a girl who takes her sleep very seriously!) ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Christmas in July

 

The Christmas in July Giveaway is going strong - and last nite I upped the ante and decided to give away TWO paintings - so head on over to the studio Facebook page, people!!

 

"Like" my page (if you haven't already) and share the Christmas in July Giveaway image on your own Facebook page.

 

You gotta do it by the end of this month, though, to be eligable to win.

 

More details are here.

 

Lengthening Her Stride ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Lengthening Her Lead," from the Saratoga Series and fresh off the easel, 5" high by 22" wide. Details of each side are above, with the full view below. Add this painting to your collection for $599.     In process views of this painting have been uploaded to thestudio's Facebook page the last couple days.   Inquiries can always come to me!!! And thank you!!

Hope everyone has fabulous plans made for the weekend - we'll be spending time at the Dog Bowl in Frankenmuth, Michigan, hanging with family, and getting our veggie garden in.   Special thanks today to the veterans who's own personal sacrifice has enabled the freedoms we enjoy today, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

And Down the Stretch They Come !! ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

"And Down the Stretch They Come!!," 7" x 14", painting of a racetrack scene inspired by Saratoga, detail (which more accurately reflects the painting's color) below, done in acrylics on museum quality panel, $549 to the first asking nicely.    In process views of this painting are available on the studio Facebook page.   Requests may always come to me (and yes I am happy to set up a payment plan and yes I take credit cards and yes return collectors get 10% off all original panel paintings all the time).

I am so happy May is here!!     Because it's Derby Week, baby!! All horses!!   I spent last night reviewing photos, editing and cropping and trying to figure out what to paint this week. So many choices, not enough days!!   I've got 8 compositions but only 5 painting days, so I'll have to work quickly and productively if I want to do them all.   I cut to the chase this morning, bypassing most of my morning studio routine to get right to work. All day long I heard the thunder of hooves and the roar of the crowd, over which echoes the famous line "...and down the stretch they come!!"   It's going to be a fantastic week!!   I hope you enjoy!! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

From Amazon, the book "Belmont Park, A Century of Champions," featuring artwork by Richard Stone Reeves.   Richard Stone Reeves, My First Equine Artist Mentor   I was one of those kids who never stopped drawing horses. And took every opportunity to look at them, whether it was nose plastered to the car window on Sunday drives, scouring the latest Sports Illustrated magazine for photographs of equine athletes, or pouring over every single book in our library that included horse illustrations.   When I was a young adult/teenager, over the course of 6 years, I had a Richard Stone Reeves book continuously checked out.   In high school I wrote him a letter (I'm dating myself, because this was long before email!) asking his advice on becoming an artist.   He told me to never stop drawing. To take every opportunity I had to draw everything I saw - not just horses. And to never stop learning and working to get better at truly seeing the world. That if I couldn't draw well, I could never expect to be a decent painter.   I am so grateful for his advice, as it truly shaped my approach to making art. And I am proud to carry it onwards and share with my own students.   I wish I'd have had the opportunity to meet Mr Reeves, who passed away in 2005. I satisfy myself with enjoying his artwork in person whenever possible and continuing to thumb through my own copies of his books.

Maiden by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Maiden," from The Saratoga Series, 9" x 11", acrylic on museum quality panel, available to the first one asking nicely for $469. Inquiries may come to me. This is a piece I began back in 2010 with great intentions, but I got intimidated. I set it aside, waiting for divine intervention to step up and help me finish. Divine intervention never arrived, but with the accumulated miles of a few years' work under my brush, I was able to pull it together and sign off yesterday. My biggest challenge was controlling the level of detail in the horses and using that as one of my primary factors in building depth of field. And my original painting had some major proportion and drawing errors (of which I hopefully corrected!!). In process photos of the piece's recent progress can be viewed on the studio's Facebook page.  Apologies in advance to all the Painting a Dog a Day fans who are not horse peeps. This week I am tweaking and touching up new paintings, primarily racing scenes, in preparation for shipping a body of work to Spa Fine Art in Saratoga Springs, New York (home of Saratoge Racetrack). That means you'll be seeing more equine work come off my easel. And what makes it to the blog will be just a fraction of what's been happening in the studio. I'll do my best to squeeze in a dog or two, though, by the week's end. Thanks for following along and sharing my paintings, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Share the dog a day love and forward this email to a friend I am happy to make affordable, quality reproductions available from any of my paintings - just ask. Image Piracy Friend and fellow artist Kathi Peterslearned that someone had lifted a particular photo from her (Kathi's) studio Facebook page and was getting a print on canvas made.** Yes technology makes it possible to lift images from websites, and all it takes is a little savvy to go a step further and print them out. But that doesn't mean it's ethical - as a matter of fact, it's against the law. Stealing images off the internet and paying a company in China to make a cheap print because that better suits your budget is an insult, on top of being illegal. And it denies us working artists the opportunity to support our families via artwork sales. Instead, connect with us. Send an email or make a phone call. We are human, many of us living within a budget just like you. We also know exactly what it's like to covet something absolutely beautiful that might fall outside our realm of affordable. Ultimately artists want our art to find homes and we are happy to work with you, whether it's purchasing an original or ordering an American made (and artist-sanctioned) reproduction or finding something else that fits your budget. **For the record, Kathi confronted the individual, educated them on copyright, and stopped the piracy. And now that you are informed, you can do the same thing too! KK Santini, 346 N Anderson, Lake Orion, Mi, 48362 USA, www.turtledovedesigns.com

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Hotwalker, In Process ~~ by Kimberly Kelly Santini

In Process (and nearly completed) - "Hotwalker," 9" x 14", a backstrech image from Saratoga Racetrack in upstate New York, acrylic on museum quality panel, not yet available for purchase. Inquiries may come to me.   In process photos of this painting can be viewed on the studio's Facebook page. My gameplan is to finish and sign off on this one tomorrow.

I am a painting fool, getting multiple pieces (that have been in-the-works for some time now) signed and wrapped and ready to wing their ways to a multitude of locations.   It's the best sort of fool to be!!   Toodle-loo, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Bathtime (Harrison's Reflection) ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

In Process views are on the studio Facebook page Order Notecards/Reproductions here

"Bathtime (Harrison's Reflection), from the Saratoga Series, " 5" x 7", done in Golden Open Acrylics on ampersand gessobord. This original painting can be added to your collection for $289 - just ask me how!   It seems like photographer Juliet Harrison's imagery has always turned me on. I have several of her silver gelatin prints in the studio and scattered throughout my house, and that has nothing to do with the fact that she is also a cherished friend.   The way she sees the world through her viewfinder is brilliant - and usually causes me to do a double take and look again. I mean really look.    And when I shot the reference for this painting, she happened to be standing alongside me, taking a similar one.   I'd like to say that great minds think alike, but I'm not taking any credit for this. It's all Juliet's inspiration.   Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my paintings with your friends and family. Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Mona Lisa (aka Mo-Bug/ Buggie/Bugga-Boo)   How is it possible that 6 pounds of fur adds so much warmth and laughter to our home?   A year ago this week, we adopted a teeny tiny tabby kitten from our local shelter. It's like she's always been here.....     I just love her "sweet spot." And everything else about her.   Thanks for picking us, Mo!