Neighborhood Watch ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Neighborhood Watch (Shadow & Charlotte)," 8" x 10", portrait of a Cocker Spaniel and a Beagle, done in Golden Open Acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord. This painting is headed to a new home - but if you are interested in something similar, contact me. My end of year studio purge unearthed the original of this composition, an unfinished 16" x 22" gallery stretched canvas. A few days later, Shadow and Charlotte's Mom emailed me. "Do you remember that painting you started of my two years ago? you were doing it for an exhibition.... did you ever finish it?" she asked. "No," I answered, rather sheepishly. "But I'd love to revisit it!" She was enthusiastic. So was I. So today they got another turn on my easel. I decided a fresh start would give the painting a brighter outlook. Besides, I really love painting on Ampersand Gessobord. The idea of working on canvas again gave me the heebie-jeebies. I know. Crazy. (I've been called worse). So here is the painting, done and signed, 4 years later. That's a long time for these two to wait patiently at the window. Maybe I should re-name the painting "Patience"! Are you interested in commissioning a special portrait? If so, please let me know! Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my artwork with your friends and family - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Mona Lisa, pretending she's been sunbathing all afternoon and NOT been playing in the toilet. Such a Stinker! Aren't cats supposed to steer clear of water? Mona, apparently, did not get that memo. So far today she's: Been busted on the counter multiple times, "swimming" in the fish bowl (which is now surrounded by 2 circles of packing tape, face side up). Kept the toilet seat dame with a tell-tale trail of wet paw prints (Finnigan's smart, but he's not smart enough to frame her). Dumped my paint water all over the taboret, then splashed around with the mucky brushes (this is my fault for not paying better attention to her hunting pattern when I was painting!). But then the darned little bug comes and sits daintily at my feet, waiting for eye contact before quietly mewing. I scoop her up, she tucks her head in under my chin, and turns on her engine. And all is forgiven. I'm off to get dry socks.