CUTEST DOG COMPETITION

I've known for years that I happen to have the Cutest Dog EVER!
Here's Lily's chance to compete for the title in
Dog.com's Million Dollar competition!!!

Please vote for Lily and vote often! OR, if you happen to think that You have the Cutest Dog EVER...Enter the competition at Dog.com

May the cutest dog win!!!

(please note, I say this in jest...any dog in a loving home is a winner!)

http://http//www.cutestdogcompetition.com/vote.cfm?h=AE2D8C960611F849FD8B748DBA7DBD48

Commission delivered...Whew!

Last Sunday, I delivered the first of four paintings commissioned by my client, Bernie. This will, most likely, be the most complicated piece, so it is an huge relief that it is done and met with great approval! It was an added challenge to include a landscape that alluded to the special ambience of Bernie's property. Landscape is not my forte', so it was great to have the challenge and learning exercise to make it more interesting to paint. Those of you who know my work may be wondering about the uncharacteristic frame choice? When the painting was commissioned, the plan was for it to hang in his Laguna home, which is very modern. This is the first time I've had to face putting a frame on my painting that is so minimal, modern and so not me!

I can't wait to paint these two again when they are full grown! When I saw them this weekend they were already 60lbs! On to the next...

First dog commisson...

As I mentioned earlier, I thought I would share a bit about the commissions I'm working on. I'm just finishing the first piece, which is turning out to be one of the most complex paintings I've done. The commission is for two Rottweiler puppies and the setting chosen was a garden bench on the clients property in the Hollywood Hills. Behind the bench is a near and distant landscape that I composited from several locations on the property. Because I have spent so much time doing still lifes, I haven't done much landscape work, so these paintings have an added learning curve. This image is of one of the heads...I will post the whole painting when it is finished and framed, hopefully next week.

I haven't been doing this for very long, but I have to say that I have worked with some wonderful and interesting people and this client is no different. The next painting is of his other dog, which will be in another landscape setting. More on that in a couple weeks.

Any painters reading this will understand that, for me, one of the biggest challenges of commissions is the change to my personal relationship with my painting. The dynamic is different when I am painting to please someone else from when I am painting for myself. It has been tricky figuring out how to center myself when I am painting so that I am not always aware of the client and their opinion while I am painting because this seriously hampers creativity, making it less likely that the client will be satisfied.

Book is ready...

Well, I've taken a stab at creating a 'Blurb' book on my show of dog paintings. It's amazing that you can do this yourself from the comfort of your own sofa! It took me a couple days and a couple test copies, which was the only downfall that I found with the process...there is no way to know how the images are going to look until you receive a hard copy, so you can spend quite a bit on copies that you can't use. But all in all...it's great and a perfect marketing tool!

The book will soon be available on my website, www.kimberlymerrill.com but for now you can find them on www.blurb.com , Kimberly Merrill, Unleashed.

Artist Talk @ 'Unleashed' closing

Well, my first show has closed and I would like to thank everyone for their support and overwhelming positive response to my work! Thankfully, especially given the current economic times, there were several sales and, as hoped, many more commissions. Speaking of which, if anyone is interested in a commission, please drop me an email and I'll be happy to discuss your ideas and projects!

When I started this blog, it was specifically for the show. I've been wondering whether to stop until I get the next show started, but then decided to blog about the process of both doing commissions and painting a show. I am learning as I go...maybe some of you would like to learn with me. So, on to the next project!

'Unleashed' Radio Review this Sunday

Molly Barnes, radio host of 'Molly Barnes Art News' and Jim Morphesis will be reviewing my show this Sunday, May 31st at 7:30pm pacific time. If you have a chance, cross your fingers and tune in!

http://www.kcsn.org/listen.html

'Unleashed' open one more week! Artist Walk-through June 6th @1pm

I can't believe the show is almost over...time just whips by! Anyway, I will be doing a walk through of the show at 1pm on Saturday, June 6th. All are welcome, including your canine companions, and no need to RSVP!

'Unleashed' Podcast by Lori and Brian Apthorp

This is a video of my show of dog paintings. See images of all the

paintings and meet some of the fabulous models!
http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=xybvvZbBDcc

Turn-a-bout is fair play! Dog painting...?

http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbkiYWzOraA

http://artscenecal.com/ArtclesFile/Archive/Articles2009/Articles0409/KMerrillA.html

This is a link to a preview article on my show by Suvan Geer in ArtScene Magazine

'Unleashed' Opens

The opening was a great success and a lot of fun, thanks to all who stopped by! It meant so much to have the support and encouragement from you all.
As you can see, there were no shortage of critics...

"Napoleon" is a miniature Pomeranian. He was surprisingly cooperative and calm, which I think comes across in his image. There are several of these small (approx. 5" tall) paintings in the show.

This is Lucy, a great old girl! This image was inspired by a historical painting of a man in uniform, with a similar expression, position in the painting and background color.

Meet Lenny. He's a sweet boy and a stunning specimen! He is posed after Vermeer's 'Girl with the Pearl Earring'. With his musculature and smooth coat, the twist in the figure became quite elegant.

I was thinking of Whistler's painting, "Whistler's Mother, A Study in Gray and Black" with this panting. It is painted with a very limited palette and low value contrast, which was the challenge and, I beleive, the beauty of the image.

Lily is my Shiba Inu companion. Because Shiba Inu's are a primitive breed, at home in the woods and undercover, I felt she would be best portrayed in that setting.

CONTEMPORARY CANINE
Dog Portraits by Kimberly Merrill