Toronto's Royal Winter Fair - Fine Art Showcase 2010!

I haven't been pulling my weight around here! It's been ages since I posted, though I often come by to have a look at the wonderful work my colleagues are producing! I've been inspired to share a bit of news, and hopefully I'll do my bit and post more often!

Last year I was juried into the Royal Winter Fair's Fine Art Showcase with my pencil drawing, "Adjustments." It was a fun experience, and the show was supported with a grant from the Government of Canada "Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage" program, which was quite exciting. This allowed the show to have a demonstration stage, and I was one of the artists asked to paint at the show. I've been attending the Royal since I was quite young - I've lost track how long - so it was neat to be part in this way.

Last week I received word that the painting I submitted for this year's show - "Ground Rules" (above), a 12 x 16 oil - was accepted for inclusion. Thursday I delivered my painting to the Royal offices, accompanied by friend and fellow artist Lise Leblanc whose lovely oil painting "Belle's Buttons and Bows" was also accepted. If you're at the Royal this year, be sure to look for the exhibit. It will be in the Direct Energy Building, Heritage Court, which is an amazing location.

If you'd like to see more of my work (and stories from my farm of crazy TBs) please take a peek at my blog. You can also catch me on Facebook, or get more information on my website.

Linda Shantz

Gypsies.....I LOVE THEM!!

"The Gypsy"        casein on board                 8 10"

Consider this painting done. Now it needs to dry a few days. Then I will will varnish it. This Gypsy is one I saw on my Kentucky trip last September. She was at Gala Driving Center in Georgetown, KY. where we were given a tour of their wonderful grounds and carriage driving facility. I captured some other shots of this gypsy and also a lovely Irish Draught there.....more inspiration for future works.

A big box sits at our front door waiting for the FedEx driver. Packing and shipping is a time consuming evil when you make your living as an artist. [Or should that read 'try to make a living as an artist' !??]  This  box of paintings is heading to Cazenovia ,New York, where my work will be hanging in the Reisman Hall Art Gallery's invitational show  "Le Cheval". This  exhibit opens Nov.3rd with a reception from 4 - 5:30 pm and it will be there until Dec. 9th .

Life has been exciting lately...my heavens... I was picked by Blogger as a BLOG OF NOTE !! I am not sure what the criteria is for receiving such an honor, but it certainly has increased the hits on my blog!! I can't believe it was picked for the world shaking posts I make!! Now I am haunted by the specter of witty dialogue. Appropriate for the season, I suppose.....it being Halloween and all!!    

Which reminds me.....I need candy.  

Three Wide ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Three Wide," 8" x 16", the newest Thoroughbred racehorse painting from the "Saratoga Series," done in Golden Open Acrylics on panel, $649 to the first one saying "pretty please." Inquiries may always come to me. This painting is nearly finished, after today's approximately 8 hours of alla prima (meaning wet paint into wet paint) work. There's nothing like a looming deadline to get my butt away from the computer and in front of the easel. There's a deadline of tomorrow to submit a painting with the theme of "History" for publication consideration. I've known about said deadline for a year. But inspiration grows strongest in the final hours...... Not sure why I chose as complex a design as this to complete in one day (anyone else voting for insanity?).... Regardless, I thoroughly got into it - and stuck to it, despite a good 3 hours of being mired deep in "The Uglies." ("The Uglies" is the developmental stage paintings go through where nothing melds and every brush mark seems wrong - sort of like a painting's version of teen angst. The artist must persevere, hold tight to their vision, and power through.) Tomorrow I'll spend a little time making a few final adjustments (fresh eyes will help tremendously) before sending my submission off. Then I'll light a candle, cross my fingers, and hold my breath. And start a new painting. Meanwhile, who do you think won the race? Thanks for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com PSST - I'm still accepting holiday commissions. Email meto get on my calendar! "Rusty" Muttitage Red Wine by Mutt Lynch Need an excuse to stock up on some excellent wine? Through Howl-oween (October 31st), Mutt Lynch is offering free UPS Ground shipping on all purchases. Enter "FREE SHIPPING" during checkout to qualify. This comes just in time to grab a couple bottles for those winter family get togethers. And make sure you grab a few for yourself - "Rusty" pairs just as well with a good book and bunny slippers.

The Right Place at the Right Time ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Blinkered," 6" square, from the Saratoga Series, part of the Painting a Dog a Day project, acrylics on panel, available for purchase through Cazenovia College. In 2009 I was fortunate enough to attend the opening week of Saratoga Race Track's season. I was joined by painter Linda Shantz and photographer Juliet Harrison, both skilled and knowledgeable horsewomen. I took full advantage of the opportunity to soak up as much information as possible (even mucking stalls at Linda's farm!). After that trip, I began a series of paintings inspired by Saratoga. At this point I had no clear direction for the works other than to explore the energy and essence of life on the track. I shared the paintings via Painting a Dog a Day and enjoyed them here in the studio. But now, for the first time, selected pieces from this series will be on display for the public. Six paintings will be included in an invitational show of equine artwork at Cazenovia College in upstate New York. Held in conjunction with the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament, this presents a great opportunity for equine afficianados to view equine athletes in the flesh and the tremendous art they've inspired. The opportunity to participate came as a total surprise - private recommendations of my work made it to the curator's ears. A subsequent visit to my website was intriguing enough for her to extend an invitation. (So the moral of the story is to please keep talking up the things you love and enjoy in your life - and thank you 100 times over for your support, too!) The show will open on November 3rd and remain in the Reisman Hall Art Gallery on the Cazenovia Campus in Cazenovia, New York through December 9th. You are cordially invited to stop by and view this elite collection of equine art - please email the gallery for further details. Thanks for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com PSST - I'm still accepting holiday commissions. Email me to get on my calendar! Keeping Mom & Pop Shops Alive Think about which 3 independently owned businesses you'd miss the most if they were gone. If half the employed U.S. population spent $50 each month in independently owned stores, their purchases would generate $42,629,700,000. That's over $42 billion! For every $100 spent in an independently owned store, typically $68 of it - over 2/3 !- returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. On average $100 spent at a national chain results in only $43 - less than 1/2 - remaining in the community. I strive to keep my business (and personal) expenditures local. So when you support Painting a Dog a Day, you are also supporting Lake Orion, Michigan, a proud small town community packed with independently owned businesses. And you are helping this Mom keep her independence and support her family. Mona Lisa says "Thank you." Pick 3. Spend $50. Save your Mom & Pop Shops. Look - I've even started your list: 1. Painting a Dog a Day 2. 3.

Reflections of friends, Draft Horse Eye, Watercolor by Debbie Flood

I've had this image all Summer, waiting to be painted.

I was at a horse show and across the quiet country road is a Draft Horse farm. The whole herd was out in the pasture. I wandered over to get some candid shots of them just being together, but when they saw me headed towards the fence, one by one, proding each other along, they came over to me.The look of snacks and hand outs was crossing their faces.
I took a whole lot of images. The wind was blowing and their soft long blond manes were whisping all around. The sunlight was catching here and there, in those wisps. It was a delight to capture them with my camera.
Later in the day, when I got home, I was unloading all those precious reference photos. I zoomed in on one. The eye looked very interesting to me. As I got it enlarged to 100% on my computer screen, I could see his pasture pals, reflected in his eye!
I knew I just had to paint that. So here it is. Reflections of friends. 9 x 8.5 Watercolor. $350.00 Inquiries may come to my email at debflood@debfloodart.com

~Debbie

Studio News and a Poll

 Art Exibition and Studio Tour   

     I have quite a bit going going these days. I am getting several paintings completed for the Friends of the Great Swamp Art Celebration in Pawling, NY on Saturday, October 23 and Sunday, October 24th. The event culminates with an art auction on Sunday. The FROGS Art exhibit is part of The Arteast Open Studio Tour in Dutchess County, NY.  It is a beautiful time of year to get in the car and do the tour while Mother Nature still has on her finest colors!


New Name and a Poll

 As many of you know I have been working hard a making a new life for myself as a single, working mom (an oxymoron) and I have made the decision to go back to using my maiden name. I have spent  a lot of time and effort branding myself with my married name. Now I need to re-brand myself and my art swith my new (old) name.  have already started using my maiden name, which is Bollman,  in the middle and in a year I will drop the O'Sullivan. Not a drop of Irish in me! Italian (raised Italian) and German all the way. -)  So in the spirit of fresh starts and new beginnings I need to come up with a new name for my business. So here is where I could use your help. I set up a poll for you guys to help me decide what name to go with.  I am thinking that by using a studio name I can make this more seamless.
One of the names a particularly like is Aquarelle Studio- 

Webster defines Aquarelle as...

~French, from obsolete Italian acquarella (now acquerello), from acqua water, from Latin aqua
(pronounced "ak-we-rell") - transparent watercolour.

The poll is over there on top right hand side of this blog. So, please, take a second and vote for your favorite name.

 
    I have finally gotten through having a nasty cold and  have just about gotten back into my regular late night groove again.  I thought I would post this work in progress of a Dressage  horse. The reference photo is courtesy of one of my collectors, Kathy. Thank you for use of your fabulous photos! The subject of this painting is of  black horse. Always a tough color to paint without making things dull and too dark. I choose to run with the violet and blue highlights on this gorgeous horse.

The initial sketch

Medium values

Almost completed. I need to come in with the final darks and detail.

Stay posted for the final on this one and don't forget to vote in my poll! Thanks! Til next time!

Enjoy!
Deborah

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Border Collie Sketch

   Today's painting  is a small 5 x5 inch watercolor painting of a Border Collie. I have been down and out with a cold but I managed to get this done.  Painted on heavy 300 lb Arches Hot Press paper this little gem will be available to go home with it's new owner for $55 which includes free Priority Mail shipping to thh U.S.  Email me for more info Deborah@DeborahOSullivan.com or click to purchase.

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

"Stripe," 6" x 8", portrait of two companionable equines, Golden Open acrylics on Raymar panel, $329 to the first one asking nicely. Polite requests may always come to me. This week I'll be working out a couple different ideas as I plot out my entries for the Ex Arte Equinus competition. You know, I enter every year, and have yet to make the cut. I don't know that getting into the publication would do much for anything other than my ego. But it sure would be nice to have validation from my peers that all the work I've put into improving my equine paintings has been worthwhile. Stay tuned - you'll either get to share in the knashing of teeth or a grande celebratory dance!! Either way, it should be entertaining. Thanks as always for looking at - and sharing - my artwork with your friends and family - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

The Equine Art of Debbie Flood, New Book

The Equine Art of Debbie Flood by Debbie Flood | Make Your Own Book

My book is finally finished! I want to thank everyone, who has been waiting for this book, for your patience! This book covers my more emotional paintings of people and horses. Also with poetry and some verse written by myself to accompany a select few paintings, to add to the strength and power of the paintings.

This book is 8 x 10, Landscape format, Hard cover with dust jacket and Premium Lustre heavy paper.$45.95 plus $5.00 Shipping in the USA. $11.00 shipping in Canada & Mexico and $13.00 other Countries. 5% Maine Sales tax for Maine residents.

Deadline to order a signed copy of the 1st printing, from me, is October 15 2010. Signed copies will ship out from my studio the 1st week of November. Non-signed copies may be ordered anytime from the link embedded in the preview image above, at the Blurb.com site.

To order your signed copy, please email me at debflood@debfloodart.com

Thank you, and enjoy previewing the book!

Debbie