Kimberly Kelly Santini is bringing her animals to Margot’s Gallery & Frame next week.
Twenty-four of the Lake Orion artist’s vibrant paintings depicting horses, dogs, cats and other four-legged creatures will be featured at the downtown Oxford gallery from March 4 through April 3.
‘This is my first solo show,? Santini said. ‘It’s a great beginning. I’m eager to see how the pieces will be received.?
An opening reception will take place at Margot’s Gallery (5. S. Washington St.) from 7 to 10 p.m Saturday, March 4.
Working as a full-time artist from her Lake Orion studio, TurtledoveDesigns, Santini paints both commissioned portraits of animals and independent work for exhibitions and public shows.
‘I have always been drawn to animals,? she explained. ‘They don’t ask for anything at all except a few minutes of your attention everyday. They’re honest and true companions. They’re there when you need them.?
Santini uses acrylic glazes on gallery stretched canvases for her paintings.
As a result, ‘the surface of the painting is saturated with layers of translucent color, some areas looking like watercolor, others like oils,? according to her website www.turtledovedesigns.com. Each painting has ‘an exciting, tactile surface that draws the eye across the image, while the layered colors beckon the eye into (and) under the surface.?
Santini is active with the Orion Art Center, showing her work and teaching beginning painting courses. She recently joined the Starkweather Gallery in Romeo.
When it comes to her commissioned work, Santini said, ‘I will paint any animal you would like me to.?
‘Right now, the market seems to be most interested in horses, dogs and cats, but I am open to painting anything,? she said.
Santini said she would ‘like to see the general public get more excited about bringing original art into their homes.?
‘It doesn’t have to be just a pretty picture,? she said. ‘It can be something that has meaning and sentitmental value to them.?
‘Commissioning a pet portrait is a great first step to debunk the myth that artists are difficult to work with or that the process can be troublesome.?
Santini said she’s been painting ‘since I could hold a brush.?
‘It’s something I’ve always been passionate about,? she said.
With three children of her own in Lake Orion Schools, Santini enjoys volunteering in the schools, talking to kids about art, coaching them on different techniques and ‘just trying to get kids excited about art.?
Being an artist ‘is a viable career choice,? she said. ‘It takes a lot of work and dedication, but it is something they can really do.?