Investigators, Guest Artist on the Painting A Mustang A Day Challenge Blog, By Debbie Flood

                      

I finished the Watercolor Investigators. This painting is 12 x 16 and depicts two burros who are 'Knoxville' and 'Hood'. This painting was created for another blog, that I was asked to be a guest artist on. The blog is Mustang Challenge A Day by Linda L. Martin. 

There you will learn about Linda's project, as well as the info on the cute Burros and their 'mom' Debra Gulley, who supplied me with images of the two boys.

I enjoyed putting these guys in the Arizona (Sedona) landscape.

Inquiries to purchase, and also Gallery Owners who would like to Represent my work should be directed to debflood@debfloodart.com

Thank you,

Debbie Flood

http://www.debfloodart.com 

Technorati Tags: Arizona,Southwest Art,Mustang,Burros,Watercolor,Debbie Flood

Clear for Take Off

Clear for Take Off

I started work on this piece quite some time ago.. and just could work out what it was that I wasn't happy with... finally decided that it needed a change of back ground colour.. so out came the black and now I feel its working much better makes the horse and rider stand out.

Clear for Take Off

23" x 25"

Mixed Media

$1200 unframed + shipping

Catherin McMillan

http://www.animalarthouse.com/

email: catherin@animalarthouse.com

FBook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Catherin-McMillan-Artist/298959873937?created

Commissions welcome

Original Artwork for sale

Payment plan & Gift vouchers

available

Pay Pal welcome

The Importance of Being Educated

Yesterday I had the very great honor of being awarded the 2012 HITS Themal Desert Circuit (CA) Show Program cover.  HITS produces some of the richest and most highly attended and regarded hunter/ jumper show circuits in the country, and to be selected as the cover artist is quite a big deal.  I've been invited to the HITS Ocala Fine Art Gala several times, and I was also honored to participate in the HITS Saugerties Art Gala in 2010.  I've never been to Thermal - in fact, I've never been to California - but it looks like I now have an excuse to go!  Hundreds of riders from across the country attend these multi-week shows, and I'm excited to be able to put my work in front of a West Coast audience.

The HITS Ocala cover was also awarded this week, and it went to a wonderful artist from Florida - Mary Verrandeaux.  I've had the pleasure of meeting Mary a few times (at the Ocala Art Gala, in fact) and I really, really like her work.  But my favorite thing about Mary is that she and I graduated from the same college - the Ringling College of Art and Design.  She graduated in the 1980's, and I graduated in 2000, both of us with degrees in illustration.

I owe a debt of gratitude to my college, and I'm proud to say I'm an alum.  I came to Ringling in 1996, with a decent amount of drawing skill from high school and middle school art classes.  Magazine pictures, attempted photorealism, unremarkable still lifes, the usual.  My first year in college, our professors took all we knew about art and threw it out the window.  They challenged us to rethink the whole concept of how to draw, how to paint, how to SEE, and in the process, they tore down everything we thought we knew about art and forced us to start again from the beginning.  My second year painting teacher had such a formidable reputation that almost of the students assigned to her class switched to the other painting instructor.  I had an unspoken rule never to change professors, so I ended up in a painting class with only three other students, and for a whole year, we had almost an hour of one-on-one instruction every other day. (Painting classes were 3 hours each, three days a week.)  We learned to PAINT.  (We also learned to stretch our own canvas and make our own gesso, but that's another story.)  I had only had one unhappy experience with oil paints (I painted a hideous flower and my mother rightfully banished the painting to the laundry room) before I walked into her class, so if I have any skill at painting today, a huge amount of credit goes to her.  My illustration teacher was an innovator of American illustration (seriously, he's in the book "Innovators of American Illustration" by Steve Heller) and introduced us to the idea of art as narrative.  He gave me some of the best art advice I've ever received in my life, and I often think of his words when I'm particularly vexed by a painting.  His daughter was "into" horses, and she actually showed at Madison Square Garden (pony division, if I recall correctly), and so he and I spent a lot of time discussing horses.  He gave me hope that a career revolving around equine and wildlife art was possible and encouraged me to continue on that path, and I'm forever grateful to him.

I had other influential teachers in figure, printmaking, English lit, and computer illustration, but I will forever cherish the four years of art history we were required to take.  We weren't just taught art history with names of artists, dates and schools of thought, we were immersed in the time.  We learned how the art and the music and the fashion of an era went together, how politics, war, famine, wealth and industry affected not only the art of a nation but impacted the entire worldview of its people, and how such events spurred and nurtured - or stifled - the proliferation of the arts worldwide.  If I am ever fortunate enough to teach art history, that is the model I will use.  Art doesn't develop in a vacuum, and to teach nothing but dry names and dates robs the student - and the teacher - of the most compelling parts of the story.

New!  HoofPRINTS Notecard and Print  

"To the Jumper Ring" Pen and marker on bristol board 

© Joanna Zeller Quentin 2011.  All Rights Reserved.  www.MoosePantsStudio.com

A December Celebration at Linda Shantz Studios

I'd like to invite you all to my online December Celebration. Until December 18th, I'm going to give 25% off the paintings found on my Thirty Horses, Thirty Days blog, and on my Red Willow Gallery blog. In the next few days I'll also introduce a similar celebration for 10% off reproductions and other items in my Etsy store - stay tuned! I will be adding other work to the Red Willow Gallery blog, so be sure to check back.

Original artwork is a great gift idea! Whatever you celebrate this time of year, I hope it's happy!

~ Linda

More work can be seen on my website and my studio blog.

Women Artists Of The West's Xmas Show

Merry Christmas from all of us at Women Artists Of The West!!

Check out the wonderful work in the annual show featuring this group's premier artists

with works in many mediums, and price points. Great Christmas present ideas for that someone special on your list!!  Women Artists Of The West !!

Three Equine Watercolors at the Old Pass Gallery, Raton, New Mexico, Christmas Exhibit 2011 by Debbie Flood

 

Winter’s Days Work 7 x 5 Watercolor

Her painted pony 7 x 5 Watercolor

One horse town 7 x 5 Watercolor

Three of my smaller Watercolors are at the Old Pass Gallery, Raton, New Mexico for the Gallery's Christmas Exhibit. Now through December 31, 2011.

Old Pass Gallery 145 South 1st Street Raton, New Mexico. Ray Wolf, Owner Operator.

 

Debbie Flood

http://www.debfloodart.com

Technorati Tags: Raton New Mexico,Old Pass Gallery,Watercolor,equine,western,southwest,art,cowboy,cowgirl,Debbie Flood

“The Climb” Wins the ‘President’s Award’ International Museum of Art, El Paso, Texas

by Debbie Flood

The Studio of Debbie Flood is very proud to announce that the Watercolor Painting The climb has won the President’s Award at the International Museum of Art, Sun Bowl Exhibit 2011 in El Paso, Texas.

The Sun Bowl Exhibit is an Annual International juried competition, this year juried by Tim Gallegly, Nationally known artist.

This is the second year that Debbie has had work accepted in this prestigious Museum Exhibit and Sale.

The Sun Bowl is the Southwest's longest running art exhibit.  Originally dubbed the Sun Carnival Art Exhibit at its inception in 1949, the International Museum of Art continues the long El Paso tradition of the integration of artistic and athletic excellence.

Each year, the International Museum of Art sponsors the Sun Bowl Art Exhibit, a juried competition featuring the top artists from all over the country. The exhibit is held in conjunction with the Sun Bowl festivities, and typically runs from November to December. Check our calendar for exact dates.

Since the International Museum of Art is along the Sun Bowl Parade route and houses the Sun Bowl sponsor parade viewing party, this exhibit provides an opportunity for all involved in the Sun Bowl festivities to see this yearly show.

This year the Exhibit runs November 5 – December 31, 2011

While the Sun Bowl Art Exhibit is on display, the public is welcome to come and view the works at this, the Southwest’s largest juried art exhibit. All items on display in the exhibit are available for purchase and selected items are also available in our online store.

Other works of Debbie’s that are hanging in this Exhibit include the Grumpy Draft Pictured below:

And Rumbles in the sky pictured below.

We wish to thank everyone who follows and supports the Art of Debbie Flood. Without all of you, these milestones would not be possible.

~Debbie Flood

http://www.debfloodart.com

Technorati Tags: Sun Bowl,El Paso Texas,Presidents Award,Watercolor,Southwest Art,Western Art,Cowboy,Cowgirl,Debbie Flood

More Progress on the Black Horse and Cowboy on the run “Moon shine run” Watercolor by Debbie Flood

 

The lower photo shows the progress from Sunday and Monday.

The top photo shows today’s progress. Today I worked on the rider’s face. Strangely enough, he came out looking like Kenny Rodgers, or Santa Clause! ha ha…pick one! I would rather not think of Santa Clause going after Moon-Shine…ha ha, so I shall pick it to be Kenny Rodgers. I mean, after all, he did play the Gambler, and sang a few of those ‘tough’ songs.

Other areas I worked on were the rider’s jacket, and down the left leg and stirrup. I am having such fun with this painting!

Today, I went and took care of my Print Proofs at the printer’s. Three new paintings are ready for print orders. The proofs look wonderful! We are all set to start the Limited Edition Run of 50 and also, I am introducing Original Hand Painted Prints! These Prints are 100% Archival, printed on Arches Velvet Watercolor Paper. A nice heavy paper too. I hand paint with my watercolors into the print. It creates a nice rich glow, that cannot be achieved by printing alone. These prints are a little more expensive to purchase, but so worth it! They come with a Certificate of Authenticity, so you know you are getting a genuine Debbie Flood Original Hand Painted Print. They are also hand signed by the Artist.

New Release Prints available are:

Angels walk among us

Limited Edition of 50. 19 x 22 Inches $250.00 Not Framed

Hand Painted Print. 19 x 22 Inches $450.00 Not Framed

        

Tell me it’s ok

Limited Edition of 50. 14.5 x 11 Inches $70.00 Not Framed

Hand Painted Print. 14.5 x 11 Inches $170.00 Not Framed

Minor Adjustments

Limited Edition of 50. 15 x 18 Inches $100.00 Not Framed.

Hand Painted Print. 15 x 18 Inches $350.00 Not Framed

 

If you are interested in Framing, Please contact the Studio for price quotes and also shipping quotes. All Prints will be double matted in an off white mat with either a wood or metal frame, decided by the Customer at the time of ordering.

Paypal is accepted and encouraged, but the Studio also accepts Personal Checks as well as Money Orders and Bank Checks.

Down Payments and Monthly Payment Plans are also available.

Please Allow 3-4 weeks for Delivery of your un-framed Print in the USA.

Allow 6-8 Weeks for Delivery of a Framed Print in the USA. 

Thank you. We look forward to hearing from you, and to help you add to your collection, or to start your new Debbie Flood Collections.

http://www.debfloodart.com           

Technorati Tags: Western Art,New Mexico,Southwest Art,Cowboy,Black horse,Cowgirl,Native American,Canyon,Limited Edition Prints,Hand Painted Prints,Debbie Flood,Equine

Frederic T New graphite drawing by Sheona Hamilton-Grant

To be honest, I never realised you could drown in pencil shavings and graphite...

You can.

It's happening at this very moment, here in the studio.

Christmas commissions have been "on the go" for the last 6 weeks (most excellent news) and Christmas is roughly another 6 weeks away (not such excellent news).

Every minute now crucial to getting the next commissions finished on time.

The result: days in my black and white world are madly fun: studio's buzzing, the artist scribbling, music pumping, Wilbur and Bernadette rocking, coffee brewing, cats if not playing paperweights very busy being feline.

Sadly, due to the world of secrecy surrounding all the commissions coming on and off the drawing board, none can be shown.

However, I do have one that I "prepared" last month.

Meet Frederic T a gorgeous handsome (now retired)) German Warmblood dressage horse.

Frederic is horse with oodles of talent who has given his rider and owner many a happy moment.

Frederic T

Pencil on Paper

Sold

Sheona Hamilton-Grant. All rights reserved

My mission: to immortalise all that he brought and shared with his rider.

Mission accomplished: his portrait has now taken pride of place in their home.

On the drawing board at the moment another stunning equine who's having her life size portrait done. Off to render the detail in her eyes....

“Canyon Shadows” and “Minor Adjustments” Western Art Watercolors by Debbie Flood

 

I finished two watercolors, since I last posted.

This one is Canyon shadows, 16 x 16 inches square on 300lb Arches Watercolor Paper.

During my trips out West, I saw a lot of different rock formations, and the shadows became spirits of the west, to me. Large birds of prey would fly over-head and their shadows would flicker across the ground, rocks, and on me. When I started this painting, I didn’t have a thought about those shadows, until I got a little more into the painting, and I realized what was spooking the horse and making the young Cowgirl look quickly. This shadow of the Eagle coasts across the canyon and soars up across the horse and rider. I could have worked up more detail in the background and brought you along on my exact journey, but because I see so many different things in this painting, I decided to stop here, and let you ‘see’ what might be there, for spirits, feelings, and shapes. Enjoy.

I want to thank Darren Corson, for the use of his gorgeous Eagle in flight photograph, for the shape of this Eagle shadow.

 

Minor adjustments 15 x 18 Watercolor on 300lb Arches paper.

This New Mexico Watercolor painting is finally finished. This one is headed to the Photographer and Printer Tomorrow. If you are interested in a Limited Edition Print of 50, let me know. The prints will be the same size as the original on velvet Watercolor paper with a one inch white border. $100.00 USD.

debflood@debfloodart.com

This painting is of the Tour Guide that took me and a few others out on a Horse back ride in the forests and Mountains of Angel Fire, New Mexico. I just love the land out there, and the horses were great!

I hope you enjoy these two paintings, and if you are interested in purchasing, as always, you can send me an email. I’d love to hear from you.

Have a great week.

~Debbie

http://www.debfloodart.com

Technorati Tags: Palomino,Canyon,Western,Southwest,Art,watercolor,quarter horse,equine,cowboy,cowgirl,New Mexico,Arizona,Grand Canyon,White Horse,Eagle

Ranch Rodeo horse.

Cowboy on Blaze Faced Sorrel Horse by thecowboystore

This is a top view, of a print of a rodeo cowboy and his horse.  You can see the image, wrapping around the canvas, and it does so on all four sides.
This photo was taken at a genuine Ranch Rodeo in Montana.  Ranch rodeo, is when neighboring ranchers get together, and form teams, to compete against each other for the top prizes.  The events are much like real ranch work, including branding and wild cow milking!
You can see all the details of a working cowboys gear in this photo.
Hope you've enjoyed hearing a bit about ranch rodeo!
Donna Ridgway

Holiday Sale on Western Art Prints & A Book! by Debbie Flood

American Honey:

Prints ON SALE for the Christmas Season! I have 3 Open Edition Prints of "American Honey" left here in the Studio. These prints are 10 x 9.25 with a 1 inch white border. I have hand signed each one, in the white border, lower right corner. These Prints normally sell for $45.00. I am offering them for $40.00! A little more than 10% off. Happy Holidays! Shipping in the USA $5.95
Contact me debflood@debfloodart.com

 

Best seat in the house:

Prints ON SALE for the Christmas Season! I have 3 Open Edition Prints of "Best seat in the house" left here in the Studio. These prints are 9.5 x 10 with a 1 inch white border. I have hand signed each one, in the white border, lower right corner. These Prints normally sell for $45.00. I am offering them for $40.00! A little more than 10% off. Happy Holidays! Shipping in the USA $5.95
Contact me debflood@debfloodart.com

 

Grumpy Draft:

Prints ON SALE for the Christmas Season! I have 3 Open Edition Prints of "Grumpy draft" left here in the Studio. These prints are 10 x 12 with a 1 inch white border. I have hand signed each one, in the white border, lower right corner. These Prints normally sell for $45.00. I am offering them for $40.00! A little more than 10% off. Happy Holidays! Shipping in the USA $5.95
Contact me debflood@debfloodart.com

For more Prints, visit the website of Debbie Flood.

BOOK SALE!!

Children and their 4-Legged Friends, A Series of  Watercolor Paintings and Poems by Debbie Flood.

This is the 1st book to go to print by Debbie Flood.

There are a few books left in the studio and they are now on sale.

Soft Cover Sale Price: $27.95

Hard Cover with Dust Jacket: $38.95                                                 

Shipping is separate.

Contact debflood@debfloodart.com

 

Technorati Tags: western Art,Art Prints,Prints,Giclee print,Equine,horse,Cowgirl,cowboy,book,art book,Debbie Flood,poetry,poems,children book,portraits,Holiday sale,Christmas Sale

Holiday Greeting Cards Available from the Watercolor ‘Waiting on a Prayer’ by Debbie Flood.

 

Two versions of the Waiting on a Prayer Watercolor is now available as a Holiday Greeting Card.

Merry Christmas version: Click here to order this Card from the Fine Art America Website.

and the Spanish Feliz Navidad version: Click here to order this card from the Fine Art America Website.

The Copyright mark does not appear on the actual card.

These cards are a lovely 5 x 7 on heavy paper that is glossy. They also come with envelopes.

I’ve already ordered my box of cards! I can’t wait to see them and start sending them out to family!

You may customize the inside, with your own words, or leave them blank!

Happy Holidays!

Debbie Flood

http://www.debfloodart.com

Technorati Tags: Greeting Card,Holiday Greeting card,Spanish greetings,Cards,Holidays,Art,Watercolor,Burro,Taos Church,New Mexico,Merry Christmas Cards,Donkey,Debbie Flood,Western Art,Southwest art

Let's do something together this Christmas season!

Think Outside the Christmas Box

by Kate Gwizdak Dardine on Thursday, November 3, 2011 at 9:35am

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

My brother sent this to me and I thought I'd share:

"Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamins on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes

.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre? Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine. THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.

Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about?"

Blessings,

International Museum of Art of El Paso, Sun Bowl Exhibit 2011 by Debbie Flood

I’m very pleased to announce that three of my watercolors were accepted into the International Museum of Art of El Paso, Sun Bowl Exhibit 2011. El Paso Texas. November 4 ~ December 31, 2011.

This is a mile stone for me! Why ?, you ask? , I have entered this exhibit in the past, (Artists are allowed to enter three works to be juried by a Museum Committee) and I’ve only been able to get one out of the three accepted. This year, all three were accepted! That’s huge for me!

The three paintings that have been accepted are:

Grumpy Draft Watercolor

Rumbles in the sky Watercolor

The climb Watercolor

If you click on the photos above, they will enlarge for better viewing. Just remember to click on your ‘back’ button, to come back to this Blog.

Thank you for reading my fun news.

~Debbie

http://www.debfloodart.com

Technorati Tags: Sun Bowl,Art Exhibit,Texas,El Paso,Watercolor,Western,Southwest art,cowboys,cowgirls,horse,equine,museum Art

Peek and Boo ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

ORDER NOTECARDS/REPRODUCTIONS

"Peek and Boo," 10" square, portrait of two paint mares, done in Golden Open Acrylics on a Raymar panel, $489 to the first one asking nicely. Polite inquiries may come to me.   I blocked this painting in a couple weeks ago, but then got sidetracked with some other commissions. I had wanted to finish the horses for an exhibition, but the deadline came and went and there just wasn't enough hours in the day. (That's the risk one takes when practicing only the best sort of procrastination.)   The painting got set aside until this morning when I re-discovered it inside my in-box. I have a number of canine sketches on the docket for this week, but I wanted to work on something rather challenging for today, and these two fit the bill.   And a challenge I got! 1/2 way through my painting session, I realized some major drawing issues, and had to resketch and re-paint the majority of the canvas. Oh, I hate it when that happens.   No amount of paint-pushing can ever fix a badly drawn composition. I've stopped trying to fool myself.   There's in process photos on the studio's facebook page - inside the Mobile Uploads folder.   Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Anonymous   It's happening on more and more blogs. Someone checks in, leaves an anonymous message, and then runs away.   Well, the running away doesn't really happen. But seriously that's what I visualize whenever I see an anonymous comment - the fact that the individual don't believe in themselves enough to sign a name undermines their message.   And at the same time they completely eliminate the possibility of any sort of dialogue.   Isn't that one of the best parts of the internet? the conversations that play out because idea sharing occurs over blurred geographic and cultural boundaries?

‘Whispers on the wind’ Watercolor of Gray-White Quarter Horse in New Mexico by Debbie Flood

                     

‘Whispers on the wind’ 12 x 18 Watercolor

$800.00 No Frame

$1,200.00 Framed.

The end of June, 2011, I was in Angel Fire New Mexico, riding a great horse through the National Forests and Mountains of Angel Fire and over looking Eagle Nest Lake. What a gorgeous day that was. Filled with magic for me. Something like a Cinderella Story. The Prince of the story was the place, horses and Gallery Exhibit for me. 

This painting isn’t the horse that I rode, but it is one that was at the Ranch that day. Gorgeous white-gray Quarter Horse. The wind was blowing up dust devils and this horse was on the watch and listening for something in the wind.

~Debbie

Technorati Tags: Quarter horse,Watercolor,Angel Fire,New Mexico,ranch,Tour Guide,Western riding,horses,southwest art,Debbie Flood

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!

Nuzzling Hope ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

ORDER NOTECARDS/REPRODUCTIONS HERE

"Nuzzling Hope," 6" x 8", done in Golden Open Acrylics on a Raymar panel. Commissioned portrait of a paint mare and foal, the latest painting in my Gratitude Series (paintings of animals who were once homeless).   Hope (the mare above) and Lucky Star (the foal) were 2 of a dozen horses rescued in Arizona this summer. Abandoned, malnourished, some injured, most suffering from foot problems/abcesses/serious infections, the horses were in rough shape.   They were moved to a clean and safe facility, Hoofbeats With Heart, where they received proper veterinary care and nourishment, among other things like feet trimmings, baths, and TLC (You can see photos on a Facebook page dedicated to the 12 horses' recovery).   All 12 have all been adopted out - what a fabulously happy ending to the story, right? Yeah, I agree!   My client, who was involved in the rescue, commissioned Hope and Lucky Star's portrait. She is donating this original painting to Hoofbeats With Heart, where the piece will be auctioned off as part of their Charity Horse Show the weekend of October 1st.   Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my paintings with your friends and family, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Holiday Cards   This year I have a reliable vendor who can deliver custom notecards bearing the image of your favorite Dog a Day painting.   Whether you are mailing or gifting, these notecards will bring smiles and warm hugs to the recipient.   Order "Holiday Lights" (above), Mona Lisa's first Christmas portrait, here.   Or browse the nearly 200 images I have available here.   Don't see what you want? Shoot me an email and I'll dig it out for you!!   Thanks so much!