meilleurs oiseaux: 2017

Fresh Snow

First Snow, 14" x 18", acrylics on museum quality panel, $699 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com .

Want something similar starring your dog? I work from your photos to create an image that is uniquely your pet. Museum quality panels start at $399 - inquire now for holiday delivery.

It's been a crazy couple of weeks, between unexpectedly having to purchase a new car, moving into my out-side-the-house-studio, planning an open studio event, shipping work to a new gallery, diving headfirst into an exciting new series of paintings and feeling a bit under the weather. But I'm persisting and learning every day.

Today I learned how to check a head gasket in an engine, took in an exhibition that didn't thrill me much at all (but it's still important to look!), read up on the election results (which were exciting to say the least), played in the leaves with the dogs, and ate my spinach. Now I'm ready for jammies and a book.

Calico

Calico. 9" x 12", acrylics on museum quality panel, portrait of teeny wee calico, $519. Inquiries may always come to me.

There's no gift quite as wonderful as a custom pet portrait. I paint from your photos, resulting in a surprise to unwrap that's like no other. Now is the time to start discussing and planning any holiday gifts you would like to commission.

Museum quality portraits start around $400, and are priced according to size and complexity. If you have a smaller budget, reach out to me so we can discuss other options.

Ziggy - W/E 22nd October 2017

Another week goes by and Ziggy is still bald and itchy. He's been back to the vets this week for skin scrapings and tests as he hasn't been responding to the current medication and by now he should be growing more fur.

We have antibiotics for a week to make sure there is no underlying infection and then back to see the vet at the end of next week to decide what treatment is next for Ziggy. In himself, he is a happy, affectionate boy but despite being bathed every 3 days and medication, he chews and scratches a lot still.

This weekend though he has been busy trying to woo the Labbie he has decided is the girl of his dreams - Lilly:

Ziggy has met Lilly before when he has been to work with me but this weekend she is staying with us and he has decided that he loves her very much. Despite his best efforts, she isn't falling for his charms but he keeps trying to win her affection, giving her little kisses and following her around.

After very muddy and windy walks yesterday this morning we made the most of the sunny morning and went up to the Downs.

Ziggy will be quite sad when Lilly goes back to her family on Tuesday but I'm sure they will see each other again soon.

Where did the time go?

Somehow it is nearly 2 months since Ziggy arrived. In that time it's been the first anniversary of saying goodbye to my special boy, Wiggle and Sofy has celebrated her 12th birthday.

Ziggy has been settling into life with us and destroying a lot of toys:

He's been to Maud Heath:

Ziggy still needs to grow a lot more fur to cover his bald area's but he is very good about having a bath every three days and hops into the tub when I ask him. He likes being wrapped up in Wiggle's soft towelling robe after:

Ziggy has been to work with me and enjoyed playing with Lilly's toys:

He's really hoping to get some more fur soon, since we are heading towards winter:

Ziggy loves going to the Downs for a run, especially when its sunny:

Sometimes its good to stop, sit and soak up the sun:

And when there's no sun, a coat to keep dry in the rain:

Even though he has been here for nearly two months, he was in such a poor condition that Ziggy has a long way to go. He's now vaccinated, having to start from the beginning as he had not had any boosters after his puppy vaccinations, he's been castrated, wormed and flea treated and is back to the vets again this week to review his medication for his allergies.

There are a lot of similarities between him and Wiggle, but mostly that Ziggy is a really lovely boy.

LRSE&C are taking care of Ziggy's medical bills and rely on donations so please consider helping if you can via the JustGiving page.

I wonder.....

A couple of things came to mind today - one followed from a seemingly callous comment of a stranger on my FB page, calling my recent work "garbage." Further conversation with this individual revealed that they felt my work was "too literal." Ok, "too literal" is far more interesting to ponder than "garbage."

As I worked my way through the concept of literal, I began to visualize all the ways - other than symbolically - I could depict things like fragility, feeling inconsequential, immortality, and learning to speak up.

Today I embraced one of those approaches - allowing my form to dissolve into the ground. Sort of like she's melting - yet she's still fully present for the moment. Two of the studies I approached in this way are pictured above.

I have no end result in mind for these - yet - but I am spending time alone with them, asking myself lots of questions, and listening for answers.

How does intensity of color impact my message?

What about contrasts - can I use them intelligently to play off the temporal message?

How do I marry the gesture of the subject with the gesture of the paint? or is this even a serious concern?

Is what I'm doing even of any consequence?

Looking forward to pursuing these ideas more tomorrow.

Langourous

Languorous (daVinci). 12" x 16", acrylics on museum quality panel, portrait of studio muse and quality control manager, $549. Inquiries may always come to me.

So what does an artist do when they are still feeling a bit under the weather on Day 5? They show up. Because nobody else will finish varnishing paintings, respond to emails, update inventory archives, coordinate commissions, and work on grant proposals.

And when it came time for me to choose a subject for today's painting, I opted for my kitty. Because today was a day to stick inside my comfort zone. And eat mashed potatoes.

There's no gift quite as wonderful as a custom pet portrait. I paint from your photos, resulting in a surprise to unwrap that's like no other. Now is the time to start discussing and planning any holiday gifts you would like to commission.

Museum quality portraits start around $400, and are priced according to size and complexity. If you have a smaller budget, reach out to me so we can discuss other options.

20 Halloween Tips for Dog Owners

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

courtesy S. Gilbert

During our #Coupaween Twitter Party, I shared a good many Halloween safety tips, alongside Arden Moore's expert tips. I've combined some of our tips to make this a quicker read that is even more helpful.

If you missed the party, or simply found it tough to keep up, I hope the following tips will get put to good use on Halloween evening or if you have a themed party. Feel free to leave your additional thoughts in comments below.

Avoid K9 bolters by keeping dogs on leashes or in a closed room when you green trick-or-treaters.
Make sure your pet sports a reflective collar for visibility with ID tags, name, your cell phone number and microchip.
When opting for costume wear, check for fit and comfort. Do a dress rehearsal a few days early to allow time for modifications.
Have important numbers available: vet, ER vet, ASPCA poison control hotline.
Making your pet's costume yourself? Avoid buttons or small items that can be swallowed.
Consider pet's visibility when selecting costumes. Dogs may be more easily frightened when they cannot see well.
When checking for fit, also look at body language. Nothing too tight?
Simple, yet stylish goes a long way. Velcro bow ties or pleated tuxedos on male dogs is very dapper.
When taking Fido out to trick-or-treat, choose light-colored costumes for best visibility by others.
Black costumes are very hard to see in the dark AND difficult to recognize when worn on a black dog. Choose contrasting color to your dog's fur.
Dogs will often hang their head when extremely unhappy with costume. Consider removing headpiece or footwear.
Be sure costumes are made of breathable fabric and are fire retardant.
Help your dog become more comfortable with costume by daily practice with treats and praise. Go slow!
Reduce stress by treating your dog to a brisk walk before sundown on Halloween eve.
Associate costume with pleasurable activity by letting Fido wear it while eating.
Dogs who won't wear costumes will often tolerate a bandana, reflective collar or collar light.
ONLY take well-socialized dogs on house to house trick-or-treating.
Candy and wrappers all out of reach!
Candles are dangerous. Choose battery-operated versions for safety.
Simplify costumes by using only the key components. Example: Wizard of Oz's Dorothy's red slippers can be easily made to slip over dog's paws without being slippers. Think out of the box!

Happy Halloween,

Follow Me on Pinterest

The Guardians

Guardians. 24" x 48", mixed media (acrylic paint, metallic and iridescent paints, ink) on panel. I think this one is finished, but I reserve the right to sleep on it. However, inquiries may always come to me.

I could look at these guys forever. BUT, I'm going to turn the painting to the wall and go make some dinner.

Because tomorrow morning I need to see this one with fresh eyes.

What do you think? Do you see a story? could you live with this painting?

Standing Tall

Stand Tall. 24" x 48", acrylics on panel, $1499 plus s&h. I think she's done...... at least after spending 8 hours working on her today, I am not seeing any necessary changes. Inquiries may always come to me.

Does this piece resonate with you? why? what sort of story do you see? Please let me know your thoughts.

Similar to my 9/11 painting, there's a story here. But my story will be different than what others see and read.

The Aftermath

ORIGINALLY PAINTED 9-11-17:

The Aftermath. 12" x 18", acrylics on gallery stretched canvas, $479. This one came straight from my heart - I had no preconceived plan, just laid marks down and responded, one by one. I do see a story revealed itstef, at least to me - but I'm curious what YOU see.

Inquiries may always come to me.

I cannot believe that it's been 16 years since the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in rural Pennsylvania. My kids have grown up in an America on edge and divided; certainly not what we wanted for them. For any of our children.

And as Irma continues to carve a path through the southeast while Texans recover from Harvey and those in the west fight fires, just like after 9/11, we'll see populations pull together and love harder.

I just wish we could keep all this love around and visible all the time.

Knitting Rainbows

Knitting Rainbows. 12" x 16", acrylics on museum quality panel, featuring a celestial hamster busy with her handwork, $469 plus s&h. Inquiries may always come to me.

This is the latest incarnation of a mouse painting who couldn't figure out what she was at first. We went through various ribboned crowns, then there were crystals and jewelry, and finally she settled on the heavens.

It was The Princess's suggestion that I have her creating a rainbow, and that was the crowning touch.

I dedicate this painting to all needing a bit of glory in their lives - whether they are struggling with a hurricane, wildfire, earthquake, world affairs, or an empty chocolate stash.

Lord Frith

"All the world will be your enemy, Prince of a Thousand enemies. And when they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you; digger, listener, runner, Prince with the swift warning. Be cunning, and full of tricks, and your people will never be destroyed."- Lord Frith

Lord Frith. 12" x 14", acrylics on museum quality panel, inspired by the rabbits' god in Watership Down, $449. Inquiries may always come to me.

She Cracks Herself Up

She Cracks Herself Up. 8" x 10", acrylics on museum quality panel, commissioned portrait of a goofy yellow lab, sold (TY very much). Inquiries may always come to me.

There's no gift quite as wonderful as a custom pet portrait. I paint from your photos, resulting in a surprise to unwrap that's like no other. Now is the time to start discussing and planning any holiday gifts you would like to commission.

Museum quality portraits start around $400, and are priced according to size and complexity. If you have a smaller budget, reach out to me so we can discuss other options.

Dog Star

Dog Star (Constellation). 18" x 24" x 1-1/2", acrylics on museum quality panel with image painted around the sides, sold (Congratulations and TY very much MH!). Inquiries may always come to me.

My collector said this painting reminded her of her dog who had recently passed away. I could see it too. So funny how that worked out.

And then she messaged me that, on her way home with the piece, the Ozzy song "Momma I'm Coming Home" played on the radio. Synchronicity.

Little Horse

Little Horse (Constellation). 11" x 14", acrylics on panel, $529 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may always come to me.

It would be impossible to fear the dark if the stars truly looked like these.

Apollo

Apollo. 12" x 12", acrylics on museum quality panel, $529 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may always come to me.

I am finishing up a workshop with Ardith Goodwin focused on framework. Understanding the things that thrill us, and using that knowledge to paint with intention and infuse our work with a passionate connection from the very get go.

It's no surprise that unexpected details delight me (pun intended). And I spent the last 8 weeks defining and exploring my realms of delight.

So it should follow that my work will carry the same sorts of elements - like a pink equine posing as Apollo, drawing the sun across the sky.

These pieces also give me a place to ostrich (bury my head in the sand) and pretend for just a moment that our world isn't quite so ugly.

Do not go gentle into that good night

Do not go gentle into that good night (title courtesy of Dylan Thomas). 14" x 18", acrylics on museum quality panel, $599 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may always come to me.

My recent work is resonating with so many - thank you for your notes and encouragement. Baring my soul in paint makes me feel vulnerable and terrified. It is so much safer (emotionally) to stick with pet portraiture.

And yet I have much to share from my very core. I'm steadily working my way there.

Eclipse

Eclipse. 12" x 12", acrylics on panel, $549 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may always come to me.

Trying some things out this week, experimenting with rather substantial changes to existing work.

Also, responding to the real world inside my imaginary one (paintings) more and more. You can't make this stuff up (The Great American Eclipse?!).

Growing Gray

Growing Gray (a self portrait), 18" x 24" x 1.5", acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas with image painted around the sides. I am uncertain that this one is truly finished, just as I am unclear whether she will be available. This is an intensely personal painting, meant for loved ones denied the simple privilege of growing gray. Or gray-er.

Life is a miracle, every minute. My gray hairs remind me of that.

Inquiries may always come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com - thank you SO much!!