Category: Dog Art Wine

Kimberly Kelly Santini on Rusty and 1000 Other Dogs

Rusty by Kimberly Kelly Santini

This Saturday, August 14, Mutt Lynch Winery will celebrate their Dog Days of Summer event and unveil the wine they've paired with Kimberly Kelly Santini's winning entry in our 2010 Wine Label Contest. When Brenda Lynch (winemaker), Rae Huestis (label designer), and I (Moira McLaughlin, Dog Art Today founder) selected Rusty as the champion, we had no idea that for a bad dog who died more than 30 years ago, this would mean redemption. We also had no idea the depth of commitment Kimberly Kelly Santini has made to art, animals, and an online community of painters since before most of us ever heard the word blog. Here is my interview with her:

Describe your inspiration in creating Rusty.

Rusty had been my grandfather's dog back when I was a child. My grandfather passed away very suddenly this spring, which brought the Kelly family together from all over the country. Many great stories surfaced at his funeral and mountains of photos were shared. The stories always involved Rusty being outrageously bad, yet getting away with it, a testament to how much my grandfather, a strict disciplinarian, loved him.

The family photos were mostly grainy black and whites with Rusty being an inch or two high, or they were horridly faded Polaroids — not the sort of material I was comfortable creating a painting from. But Rusty seemed like great fodder for a collage. And a collage could be a solid design concept for the label. I also liked the idea of a red dog highlighting a red wine. It seemed like a good fit all around.

Rusty and Gerald Kelly, Kimberly's grandfather

Does Rusty know he is a celebrity?
(note: this was before I saw the photos)

Rusty passed away some 30+ years ago. But the Kelly family has embraced the idea of him being on the Mutt Lynch wine label. My aunt declared that he had finally done something right!! And I'm looking forward to sharing a glass of Rusty wine with my grandmother and listening to more stories about the family.

Bad dog finally makes good

You mentioned this painting/collage method is new for you. What inspired you to try something different?

I have led children's workshops on collage and mixed media, but tried to keep that process simple, using photographs, magazine clippings, and other items. We would work with things like a photograph of a dog's head with a tiara cut out of a magazine collaged over newspaper and tissue, creating a basic accumulation of images that, when coupled together, told a story. I looked at a lot of other collage artists as part of building the curriculum for my workshop, with one of my personal favorites being Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson who uses paper bits to shade and mold her subject.

With each workshop I fell more in love with the collage process. I wanted to explore possibilities outside of the classroom, incorporate my own painted papers, play with texture and allow the collaged materials to mold the form, carry the details and tell a story. Rusty was the perfect subject for this experimentation.

This year you will paint your 1000th dog in your Dog a Day series. How did you get started and how do you stay committed?

I started Painting a Dog a Day back in October of 2006 and thought I'd stick with it for a year or so. It was intended to be my own personal window where I could paint just for me. As a commission artist, one who works primarily life-sized or larger to client specifications, I knew that painting just for myself would feed my muse and keep my creativity strong, even if it were just for an hour a day on littler paintings. I never expected the project to take on a life of it's own, but that's what it did.

It's not that hard to stay committed to it, and it helps that I thoroughly love my job. There are days when I'd rather be doing something else. But I have a deep connection with the paint, and when I stand at my easel (even on a day when I'd rather be playing hookey), those reservations melt away and I become absorbed in the painting at hand.

But I also work hard at keeping my muse alive by trying new things (like collage!), getting out and looking at great art in person, working with children (talk about inspiration!!), volunteering in my community and mentoring emerging artists.
And there is nothing like sharing that rush of emotion when a client holds their painting for the first time. I revel in the moment, knowing that only I could have delivered this cherished painting to them. And then I get right back to work, planning and building for the next portrait.

Kimberly's paintings are compiled into two books available at blurb

Tell me about you upcoming solo show at Best Friends Animal Society in Utah.

Back in 2007 when the daily paintings were relatively new, Best Friends Magazine (Best Friends Animal Society's monthly publication) did a feature article on my artwork. This exposure was formative in creating the early core of the Dog a Day community – a group of collectors, artists, animal advocates and all around amazing people that now numbers over 1000. It seemed especially meaningful to be invited, three years later, to hang my work in the heart of the Best Friends Animal Society.

The show, which opens August 27 and runs until October 15, is titled "Happily Ever Afters." This is my first solo exhibition comprised entirely of daily paintings. My muses were especially selected because they were each rescued themselves. The paintings will be accompanied with real life stories of other animals who found their own "Happily Ever Afters." I want the show to convey names, faces, and unforgettable details of a population that is forgotten, discarded, and treated unfairly.

Here are some paintings that will be included:

Atira

Brothers

Tribute

Tangles

After winning the Mutt Lynch – Dog Art Today contest and mounting your first solo show this year, is this a new level for you as an artist?

They are definitely key moments, specific points where I can reminisce upon my journey to date. However, I view each new day as a turning point – an opportunity for me to pick up my paintbrush, go a little further as an artist and a compassionate person.

I love my life.

And we love your art as much as your creative spirit, your drive, and your inspiration, Kimberly. Congratulations!

For more on Kimberly Kelly Santini:

Studio
Daily Paintings
Originals & Limited Editons
Prints & Notecards

Mutt Lynch Winery's Dog Days of Summer:

Date: August 14, 2010

Time: 11:00am – 5:00pm

Cost: $10.00
(100% admission fees and 10% of sales benefit the SF SPCA)
Location: 602 Limerick Lane, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Dogs are welcome

To order a bottle or case of Rusty click here.

Cheers!

August 12, 2010
Mutt Lynch’s 6th Annual Dog Days of Summer 2010

Don’t forget that Mutt Lynch Winery’s Dog Days of Summer event is Saturday, August 14, 2010 from 11 am to 5 pm. At noon, Rusty, the wine inspired by this year’s Dog Art Today – Mutt Lynch Wine Label Contest winning artwork by Kimberly Kelly Santini, will be introduced. Admission to the open house is $10 and dogs are welcome and encouraged to attend. All entrance fees and 10% of wine sales will benefit the San Francisco SPCA.

If you won’t be able to attend (unfortunately, like me this year), you can pre-order your supply of Rusty through Mutt Lynch Winery’s website here. Mutt Lynch owner, Chris Lynch, describes his winemaker wife Brenda’s Rusty creation as a ‘”Muttitage” of predominately Cabernet Sauvignon with some
wonderful additions of Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah. Very limited in
production, this wine comes from our very best French Oak barrels and is
a one-of-a-kind red wine blend we believe is worthy of a very special
dog painting and wine label.”

Mutt Lynch Winery considers itself THE most dog friendly winery in the world. I attended the event last year, and I totally agree. They are located at 602 Limerick Lane, Healdsburg, CA.

Click here for more information.

July 27, 2010
Kimberly Kelly Santini Wins 2010 Mutt Lynch Winery – Dog Art Today Contest

Rusty by Kimberly Kelly Santini

Congratulations Kimberly Kelly Santini, this year's winner of the Mutt Lynch Winery – Dog Art Today Wine Label Contest. Winemaker, Brenda Lynch, label designer, Rae Huestis, and I are thrilled that this soulful piece will grace the bottle of an exclusive bottle of red to be released at this year's Dog Days of Summer event in Healdsburg, Sonoma, CA on August 14, 2010. The wine will simply be called "Rusty" and 10% of proceeds will benefit the SFPCA.

Kimberly will win a case of wine, tickets to the event, and a profile on Dog Art Today. We love "Rusty" and can't wait to taste his namesake. Thank you again, to all the artists who entered. We look forward to seeing you next year.

May 27, 2010
TOP TEN: Mutt Lynch Winery – Dog Art Today 2010 Finalists

The following wine label entries received the most votes. Now, Mutt Lynch winemaker Brenda Lynch, wine label designer Rae Huestis, and myself, Moira McLaughlin founder of Dog Art Today, will select the winner. Announcement will be made Thursday May 27, 2010.
Thank you to every single artist who participated. It was a joy to curate this year's contest.

1.) "Bona-Fido Red" by Dawn Secord

2.) "Multi-breed Mashup" by Janet Stanton Burt

3.) "Wide Eyed Red" by Dana Feagin

4.) "Greyt Dreams" by Carol Lynn Nesbitt

5.) "Rusty" by Kimberly Kelly Santini

6.) "American Girl" by Katy Brack

7.) "'Wine'maraner" by Lesley Zoromski

8.) "Red Nose Wine" by Kathryn Wronski

9.) "Doggedly Faithful" by Nikki Solone

10.) "Chickenbone Jones" by Rachael Rossman

May 25, 2010
VOTE for the 2010 Mutt Lynch Winery – Dog Art Today Wine Label Contest

Please scroll down and view all 77 entries. Then CLICK HERE to cast your vote.

{Voting ends May 25 at noon PST. The Top 10 will be announced on May 27.}

1.) “Belly Rub” by Kit Cutting

2.) “The Nose Knows” by Lisa Riehl

3.) “Paint the Town RED” by Randi Heimert

4.) “Such a Winey Dog” by April Murphy

5.) “Lucky” by Simone Guimaraes

6.) “Untitled” by Melisa Hicks

7.) “Dog with Bone” by Katherine Spiering

8.) “Return to Gaia” by Carolyn Anne Anderson

9.) “Esther Brown” by Cyndra Bradford

10.) “Where Being Bad Never Felt So Good” by Jennifer Flynn

11.) “Sarah & Pickle” by Kristin Bauer

12.) “Libby Shiraz Suda-Blake” by Kimberly A. Sauda-Blake

13.) “Stuart” by Robert Amaral

14.) “Tail Wagger” by Rob Kaz

15.) “Doggedly Faithful” by Nikki Solone

16.) “Lucy and Pete” by Lauri Luck

17.) “Sally the Bull Dog” by Kim Meyer

18.) “Mila at the Beach” by Corene Kendrick

19.) “Fred” by Kavita Ramani

20.) “Misty Blue” by Kelly Page

21.) “Keef” by Pat Saunders-White

22.) “Greyt Dreams” by Carol Lynn Nesbitt

23.) “Jake” by Laurel Davar

24.) “Bull Mutt” by Judith Ogus

25.) “Honey” by Ferris Cook

26.) “‘Wine’maraner” by Lesley Zoromski

27.) “Happiness is a Best Friend and a Bottle of Mutt Lynch Wine” by Kait Matthews

28.) “Link” by Laura Lannon

29.) “Dancing Poodles” by Michael Jurogue Johnson

30.) “Mike, Sheri, and Jake of Shawsheen Village Liquors” by Karen Van Welden-Herman

31.) “Barkus, the Dog-gonest God of Wine” by Char Banach Caudill

32.) “Sky’s Harvest Night” by Lori Rowe

33.) “Red Ball” by Jaime Ellsworth

34.) “Unleash the Wild Grape” by Vicky Kaseorg

35.) “Swissy Missy” by Judy Brown Fletcher

36.)” Monkey Business” by Mylette Welch

37.) “Wired Weimaraner” by Megan Newcomb

38.) “Bully” By Sarah Haywood

39.) “Rescue” by Christine Plantenga

40.) “Multi-breed Mashup” by Janet Stanton Burt

41.) “Holy Horace” by Ruth Chase

42.) “Red Nose Wine” by Kathryn Wronski

43.) “Jimmy Waitin” by Lisa Rydell

44.) “Drawing” by Joe Loehle

45.) “Charlie’s Nose Finds the Scent” by Karla J. Smith

46.) “Kaiba” by Angie Ketelhut

47.) “Rudy’s Red” by Corinne Humphrey

48.) “Bona-Fido Red” by Dawn Secord

49.) “Quintessential Canine” by Jean Glaser

50.) “Twisp” by Robin Levy

51.) “Wide Eyed Red” by Dana Feagin

52.) “Zachary in the Mustard” by Jocelyn Audette

53.) “Louie Loves Lynch” by Katie Lewis

54.) “Magnificent Mutt” by Christine Throckmorton

55.) “Lord Jackson – Ruler of All Mouse Minions – King of Muttitage” by Susan Johnson

56.) “Red Over Heels” by Brenda Eschenbacher

57.) “Chickenbone Jones” by Rachael Rossman

58.) “Untitled” by Jill Perry

59.) “Laughing from the Pit” by Amelie Marchesseau

60.) “Thirsty” by Anne Mitchell

61.) “Mixed Breeds” by Anne Leuck Feldhaus

62.) “Pia Never Bites, Only Loves” by Nancy Schutt

63.) “Wining Around” by Maria Zaretskaia

64.) “Billy the Bully” by Chelsea Fedigan

65.) “Home Is Where Your Mutt Is” by Shari Sherman

66.) “Massive Acid Dog Attack” by Jo Sanders

67.) “Yes, I Would Like Some Cheese with my Wine!” by Hollyce Jeffriess

68.) “Boozer with Ball” by Rhonda Skinner

69.) “Pooch-edelick Blend” by Bethany Drogula

70.) “The Great Barrel-chested Red” by Natalya Zahn

71.) “Vintage Dog Year” by Suzanne Kasiewicz

72.) “The Anchor” by Gary Ellis

73.) “Dogs by the Glass” by Cheryl Snyder

74.) “Dog of Wine” by Jennifer Belair

75.) “Big Brown Happy Dog” by Frank Zio

76.) “Rusty” by Kimberly Kelly Santini

77.) “American Girl” by Katy Brack

CLICK HERE to cast your vote.

May 19, 2010
Wine Label Contest Deadline is May 15, 2010

Leeroy Out Loud! by Kellie Oliphant-Burns was last year's winner

Leeroy says the deadline to submit artwork for this year's Mutt Lynch – Dog Art Today Wine Label Contest is just over 10 days away. Your entry form and and artwork must be submitted by May 15, 2010 by midnight PST.

I have emailed everyone who has already sent in images. If you have not received an email from me, I did not receive your submission.

Once again, the entries are very impressive. Keep 'em coming.

For full details of the contest click here.

May 4, 2010
Mutt Lynch Winery – Dog Art Today 2nd Annual Dog Art Wine Label Contest
Leeroy with the winning labels from 2009; Leeroy Out Loud! by Kellie Oliphant-Burns

Dog Art Today and Mutt Lynch Winery,
North America’s most renowned dog winery, have partnered again this year to host our 2nd Annual Dog Art Wine Label Contest of 2010. Additionally, we are pleased to announce that Bark magazine, the nation’s leading dog enthusiast magazine, is joining us as a media partner. All artists are invited to submit one
dog-and-wine-themed work of art. The winning entry will be made
into a label for Mutt Lynch Winery’s limited edition wine (only 500 bottles) that will
debut at the winery’s Dog Days of Summer event on August 14, 2010. This annual event includes wine tasting,
dog themed art, and vendor booths to benefit the San Francisco SPCA.

The
Wine Label Contest winner will receive one case of the rare and
exclusive wine, a featured spotlight on Dog Art Today, a year’s subscription to Bark magazine, and an
invitation to attend the The Dog Days of Summer at Mutt Lynch Winery in Healdsburg, Sonoma County (travel and accommodations not included.)

Contest Rules:

Overview:
One entry per person. Artwork must feature at least one dog. You may
submit a title for the wine, but DO NOT include words, letters,
or any writing on the actual artwork. That information will be added by the
label designer, Rae Huestis. (Note: Mutt Lynch Winery wines are known
for their
clever wordplay. Click here to see examples.)

You must have complete ownership of the copyright.

Entrants from the United States and Canada only.

Wine Description: This year winemaker Brenda Lynch has decided to create a red blended from her finest barrels, and “in the spirit of all things dog,” she’s calling it “Muttitage.” Only 500 bottles
of this rare and exclusive wine will be produced with the winning label on it. It will retail
for $25 a bottle, with 10% of the sales benefiting the SF SPCA.

Size: The size restrictions are less rigid this year:
- Artwork should be approximately 8″ x 8″
- It does not have to be a square. It can be a vertical or horizontal rectangle
- High Resolution, 300 DPI
- JPEG format
Medium: Paintings or drawings. No photographs or photographic images used in the piece. NO WORDS OR LETTERS ON THE ARTWORK.

Format: JPEG minimum 300 DPI. Titled with your first and last name.

Application:
submit the Word Document with all information complete and the word
“YES” in the release box. The release includes permission to alter
your artwork to create the label, and permits reproduction of it on t-shirts and artwork that will be sold to raise money for the SF SPCA.

Download Application Document

Submission deadline: May 15, 2010, midnight PST. Email JPEG and completed Word Document Application to moira@dreamdogsart.com.

Selection process:
Dog Art Today readers will have a chance to vote online for their
favorite label May 19 – May 25, 2010. The winner will then be selected by
judges from the top 10 finalists and announced on May 27, 2010. The wine
label will be revealed at the August 14, 2010 Dog Days of Summer event.

Prize:
One case of the special release wine featuring your artwork and signed
by winemaker Brenda Lynch. A feature article on Dog Art Today. An
invitation to attend the unveiling of the wine at Mutt Lynch Winery’s
Dog Days of Summer event in Healdsburg Sonoma County, CA on August 14, 2010.
(Travel and accommodations not included.) A year’s subscription to Bark magazine.

Judges:
Brenda Lynch – winemaker/co-owner of Mutt Lynch Winery
Rae Huestis – wine label designer
Moira McLaughlin – Founder of Dog Art Today
March 15, 2010
Sonoma Weekend With Darby and The Girls

Last weekend, I traveled to Sonoma County,CA with my sister Sheila Cameron (Grass Valley), four girlfriends; Cindy Sanborn Hytner (Grass Valley), Kara Haspel Lind (San Francisco), Anahita Ross (Los Angeles), and Meredith Driscoll (Pittsburgh) for the Mutt Lynch Dog Days of Summer event. Darby came too. We had an amazing time. Here are some highlights…

We rented a sweet Victorian house in Geyserville.

Lunch at Diavola was outstanding!

First stop was a short walk into town to Diavola Pizzeria & Saumeria. It was just Sheila, Meredith, me, and Cindy (right to left), since Kara was still in San Francisco picking up Anahita whose flight was delayed. Lunch was one of those experiences that will stand out as one of the best ever. Truly right up there with any Italian pizzaria, if not better. We had the salami and cheese plate — the meats are made in house, roasted asparagus, with truffled pecorino and pancetta, the BLT panini, and the Sonja pizza with tomato, mascarpone cheese, arugula and prociutto. Wine was a Palmina, Pino Grigio from Santa Barbara and it was lovely. I never want to eat store bought meat again.

Darby the local

Next, we walked a few doors down to Locals tasting room where we tried the indigenous wines. Diane Lieberman, the manager, allowed Darby to join us as long as he didn't bite. He loved it, and we discovered (and bought lots of) some great Sonoma County finds.

Clockwise from top left: 1. Brian, Cindy, and Gretchen 2. dinner is served: Sheila, Cindy, Anahita, me, Amy, Morgan and Kara 3. Morgan and Trixie 4. Zucchini and Gretchen's pretty Fiestaware

That night, Cindy's high school friend, Brian Crebs, invited us all to dinner with his wife, Gretchen, and two beautiful daughters, Morgan and Amy. Gretchen, is a fifth-generation, Geyservillian, who lives in her grandmother's Craftsman house. Her father, Harry Bosworth, owns the Bosworth and Sons General Merchandise store in town. After dinner, Gretchen confessed to us that the "new" outside dining table we all sat around came from the back of her dad's store and was probably her grandfather's mortician's table.

Mutt Lynch Winery

The next day, we all went to Mutt Lynch Winery where I met Chris and Brenda Lynch and the winning artist in our Dog Art Today – Mutt Lynch Winery contest, Kellie Oliphant-Burns.

Kellie Oliphant-Burns, Brenda Lynch, Me and Darby

The Dogs Days were a whirlwind of dogs and dog artists and wine. I know I am biased, but the Leeroy Out Loud! Meritage is fantastic. Also, the event was a tremendous success for the Healdsburg Animal Shelter. $3,200 was raised for them that weekend.

1. Harry Driscoll's new hat 2. Harry Bosworth in his store 3. Cindy browses

Later, Cindy, Meredith, and Anahita stopped by Bosworth and Sons and met Gretchen's dad, Harry Bosworth. Meredith picked out a red cowboy hat for her son, Harry.

Another great meal. This time at our house.

Then the girls went into town, back to Diavola. Later, we all got in the hot tub, had some more wine, and turned on Saturday Night Live. It was the first and only time the TV was on all weekend.

Good-bye, Geyserville

Sunday morning, we said good-bye to our house and made a plan to do it all again next year. Hope you can make it.

Photo of Kellie, Brenda, and me by Darrell Zoromski

August 12, 2009
Studio Spotlight: Kellie Oliphant-Burns

Kellie and her Greyhounds Rupert + Leeroy

Today I am headed to Sonoma County for the much-anticipated Dog Days of Summer at Mutt Lynch Winery. I can't wait to taste their new wine Leeroy Out Loud! inspired by Kellie Oliphant-Burns's winning entry in our dog art wine label contest. I also get to meet Kellie in person, as she is coming in for the occasion. If you can't attend, you can still get to know Kellie this month's Studio Spotlight.

1. How did you get started as a dog artist?

I am fortunate to be the daughter of two artists, so art has always been a part of who I am. I have always painted but it wasn't until I got my Rupert five years ago that I fell into painting pets. I have always had a huge love for animals and art, so this blending of the two was a natural progression. I couldn't be happier!

2. What is your favorite medium and why?

Right now, I prefer to work in acrylics. They lend themselves so well to layering and color blocking. I like that they are quick drying and water-based. I also use acrylic glazes and extenders to enhance the brightness and sheen of the paints.

3. How would you describe your art?

In university, I majored in silkscreen. When I went back to canvas work, I approached it in the same way I would have for printing. I love the technicality of breaking apart an image into pieces according to its color and tone and assembling it in layers of paint. My paintings have a Pop Art feel. But because each original is done completely by hand I hope I bring a warmth and depth to each piece. I also love fashion and design, so I incorporate those ideas into my backgrounds. I guess I would say my paintings are Pop, Modern, bold, funky, and full of love!

4. What are your 3 your favorite pieces and why?

Wow…that really can't be answered. That's like answering which of your pets is your favorite….or which one of your children is your favorite…sorry! Every Doodle Dog Painting I have done is a favorite and a piece of me is with each one. With each one I have learned the pets' story, spent endless hours sketching and painting, have named the piece, and sent it to its owner with a bit of my soul.

Here are my three most recent paintings:

Tammy's Tempest

Cheeky Charlie

Master Max

5. Tell me about your studio; is it how you want it to be? Plans for reorganizing? Wish list?

Doodle Dog Studio

My studio used to be marmalade orange. I loved the color but it played tricks when I was mixing some of my colors, casting itself especially on whites. So, last year I repainted it in "Silver Dust" and added accents in black, graphite, and sunshine yellow.

I can ALWAYS use more storage, there can never be enough. I would love more of the white IKEA cubbies. They are perfect for storing my stuff and also create an extra work surface on top! I also plan to have more sample of my work in my studio, as well as a giant idea board for all of my inspiration clippings/cards/visual images. At the top of my wish list are: a velvet upholstered Victorian settee, more memory for my Mac, and an assistant! A girl can dream, right?

6. Upcoming projects or goals for the future?

I am taking six weeks from the end of August through September to put together a collection of Greyhound paintings. I will be heading to Greyhounds Reach the Beach, in Dewey Beach, Delaware in October 2009 to take part in their Greyhounds in Art show. It is a magical time. I went a couple of years ago and was so inspired. The sand, the ocean, the boardwalks and the endless stream of sight hounds! SO beautiful. This year, Rupert and Leeroy will be making the journey with me. I am also doing some exciting graphic design work for Bark & Fitz, a new health food store for dogs.

******

Thanks for inviting us into your studio and your process, Kellie. See you soon. To learn more about Kellie or commssion a pet portrait visit Doodle Dog Paintings or her blog.

August 7, 2009
Dog Days Change of Venue

Important announcement: The Mutt Lynch Winery Dog Days of Summer this weekend will NOT be held at the new winery on Limerick Lane. The event will be at their current location:

Mutt Lynch Winery
1960 Dry Creek Valley Road
Healdsburg, CA 95448

Sorry for the inconvenience. Hope to see you there!

Visit Mutt Lynch's website for more information.

August 6, 2009