Paintings With Soul

"The Copleys," a 16" square quadrup-tych comprised of 4 separate 8" square cradeled Ampersand Gessobord panels. From top left, clockwise: Bella, Candy, Tiny and Rosie. Headed to a proud new collector's home (THANK YOU!). I spent the majority of today finessing the paintings I started on Wednesday (a step by step is viewable here) , working on seemingly minute details like distinctive hair growth patterns, body language, fur depth and reflected light. I wish you could see these in person - the surface is littered with translucent brushwork and a depth that gets entirely washed out on the computer. Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me . I've got only a few spaces left before I create Dog a Day painting #1000 this August - now might be a good time to get any holiday gifts/commissions on my calendar, too. Sketches start at $29, paintings at $209, and returning co...

Well, folks, we did it. "Rusty" has won the Mutt Lunch Winery label contest! After a day spent chaperoning The Princess's field trip to Cranbrook Science Center, then getting Manchild to his soccer game, arranging for the Middlechild's attendance at a school's talent show, and also successfully getting to The Princess's dance recital (different school, different performance from said talent show) with 10 minutes to spare, I came home to the news that Rusty's portrait was chosen to grace this year's Mutt Lynch limited release vintage. A big tail-wagging thanks to all of you for voting, which got Rusty into the Top 10 and in front of the powers that be who made the ultimate choice. And another warm furry thanks, in no particular order, to Moira McLaughlin of Dog Art Today, label designer Rae Huestis and Chris and Brenda Lynch of Mutt Lynch Winery, said powers that be. And finally a special thanks to my Grandpa, Rusty's better half, who's s...

I have been excited about this quadruple portrait since forever it seems (when my client first contacted me). The concept was to create four separate 8" square paintings on cradeled panels (you can see the generous 2" depth of the paintings in the 3rd view), each starring a different one of her dogs in a similar pose. To create a sense of continuity, I wanted to paint them simultaneously and all in one sitting, or as far as I could take them at once. Hence, I ignored emails (my apologies if you've been waiting for a reply - I'll get to the oldest ones from last week later tonite) and went to the easel bright and early. I'm sorry - these photos are really flat - which I didn't notice till they were downloaded onto my computer. But I'll share scanned versions of the final portraits in a couple days so that you can get a better sense of the vibrancy and detail, which I am very pleased about. This is as far as I can go for now - I'm waiting for my ...

FROM TOP, CLOCKWISE: "Clo (Black Rabbit) Sketch I," 6" square, $49; "Lily (White Rabbit) Sketch I," 6" square, $49; and "Lily (White Rabbit) Sketch II," 3" x 6", $39. All done in watersoluble pencil and watercolor crayons on multimedia artboard. Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me . Sketches (like the above ones) start at $29, finished paintings at $209. I wasn't feeling well yesterday, and didn't get into the studio today until mid afternoon. However, it was the perfect opportunity to take my materials outside and study the bunnies a bit. Drawing from life has become a key part of my creative growth. I fought it for a loooong time, preferring to work with photographs (of animals). That stubbornness held me back from really understanding qualities of light and reflection. There are so many nuances my eye sees w...

"Objects in Mirror are Closer Than They Appear," a tiny 4" x 5" portrait, done in Golden Open Acrylics on board, private collection (an extra special thanks to my new collector!). Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me . This is a gem of a painting, the latest installment in my Sunday Drivers series (starring dogs and cars). I invite you to send me photos of your dog hanging in/near your car - while I can't guarantee I will paint him, I can certainly give it the old Spartan try! (And I'm wanting to paint dogs and horse trailers, too, so if you find yourself positioned to shoot a couple frames on my behalf, by all means, please do!!) Thanks, as always, for looking at - and sharing - my artwork and musings with your friends and family. Wishing you a weekend full of sunshine - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com www.paintingadogaday.com PS PLEEEEASE don't fo...

Here is a second study for Gracie's larger portrait, this one 6" x 8", done in Golden Open acrylics on a Raymar panel. (The first one, in case you missed it, is here ) Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me . As you might recall, Grace's final portrait will be sized approximately 18" x 24". Because I prefer to work alla prima (meaning all in one session) and I didn't have a clear cut favorite pose, I decided to do a couple smaller studies first. This allowed me to work through the painting concept on a couple different levels, and gave my client a few visuals to help steer his decision making. This one has a Richard Schmid flavor to it - the woven paws and legs tucked under her chin were the perfect backdrop for the concentrated brushwork, greatest areas of contrast, most saturated color and sharpest edges. SOLD Thanks, as always, for looking at - and sha...

"Princess Grace," study for a larger portrait, 8" square, Golden Open acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord, commissioned pet portrait of a chocolate lab. Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me . Grace comes with an entire line of furnishings and household items. Well, not really, but she is the official mascot of a furniture store in Brentwood (CA), so it's close enough. And the concept for her portrait was to include some of the exquisite items from the retail environment, showing her completely at home in her surroundings. This is one of several ideas I'm sketching out for my clients' consideration. Grace's final portrait will be in the range of 18" x 24", so there will be plenty of opportunity to add additional detail and range of color - including the elaborate fleur de lis pattern on this settee, which I would not mind having here in the studio.......

"Shaggy Schatzi," 8" square, commissioned dog portrait done in Golden Open Acrylics on canvasboard, private collection (THANK YOU!). Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me . Schatzi was adopted as a pup from a Maryland Amish farm. When her family asked what type of dog she was, the Amish farmer replied "Medium." (Perhaps I should have titled her painting "Medium.") Now 14, Schatzi has long grown into her name (a strong, German woman not much unlike that played by Lauren Bacall in 'How to Marry a Millionaire'), proudly leading the family pack of dogs on the hunt for field mice or moles or other fierce animals. She prefers her hair wild, sprinkled with bits of souvenirs from the outdoors, but enjoys getting primped and cleaned up as well. Favorite playthings? her people, who are kept busy letting her out, then in, then out, then in...... Take a pe...

I am thrilled to announce this summer's Creative Journalling classes, which will be held at Little Monsters Toy Store in Lake Orion, Michigan. The classes will introduce K-8 students to Creative Journalling (recording ideas and memories via use of a variety of art and writing techniques). Students will be introduced to a variety of art concepts and materials, allowed hands on time each week to actively work on their journals, and encouraged to continue exploring the various approaches outside of class time. Ultimately, participants will emerge from class with a means of personal expression not solely based in writing or artmaking, but with a developing voice that embraces the elements of storytelling using a variety of tools. Classes are structured for 5 concepts, one per session, and set up so that students may choose to attend all or several. Classes are 1-1/2 hours, with a cost of $15 each or one may enroll in all 5 sessions for $60. Cost includes all materials excepting th...

ABOVE: "Scrappy," 4" square, commissioned dog portrait of a pit bull. BELOW: "Lena," 4" square, commissioned kitty portrait. Both paintings done in Golden Open Acrylics on canvasboard, both paintings in a private collection (THANK YOU!). Scrappy and Lena's portraits join a collection of four other commissions - the family is now almost complete! Both Scrappy and Lena are rescues - Scrappy came complete with a set of battle scars, and Lena's eyes were damaged so much so that she lost them. Despite their physical challenges or past, each animal became a delightful and loving companion. Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me . Thanks, as always, for looking at - and sharing - my artwork and musings with your friends and family. Have a great weekend!! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com www.paintingadogaday.com FACEBOOK: Kimberly Kelly Santini TWITTE...

"Cody Dog," 4" x 6", commissioned dog portrait, done in Golden Open Acrylics on canvasboard, private collection (THANK YOU!). Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me . Mr. Cody has been loving on his family for 15 years, enjoying long walks on the beach (who DOESN'T love a good run in the sand?) and all sorts of other good fun. His time to cross the bridge is fast approaching, but it is my hope that his painting finds it's way home before he leaves. Keeping my fingers crossed.... Thanks, as always, for looking at - and sharing - my artwork and musings with your friends and family. Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com www.paintingadogaday.com FACEBOOK: Kimberly Kelly Santini TWITTER: ksantini SHOP ORIGINALS & LIMITED EDITION GICLEES: at my Etsy shop ORDER CUSTOMIZED NOTECARDS & REPRODUCTIONS: at Imagekind COMMISSION A PET PORTRAIT: contact me GIFT CERTIFI...

I get asked all the time about how I manage to continue finding joy and inspiration in the studio every single day. So I thought I'd share some tips on how I try to keep creativity flowing. Mix it Up – set your regular materials aside, change up your subject matter or style, and try something entirely new. If doing this on a canvas or panel is intimidating, then just open a sketchbook and have at it. What you are creating this time around isn't meant to be a masterpiece of anything except experimentation, so take the pressure off and just enjoy. (Pictured above is The Princess and a handful of finger puppets we made using paper mache and tissue.) Break your routine – I am such a creature of habit, that even my thought processes follow similar paths after a period of time. It always helps for me to break up my routine – as simple as walking a different route with the dog each morning. Listening to NPR or an audio book instead of music while I paint is another switch-up. S...

"Rusty," 8" square, acrylic and collaged papers on Ampersand Gessobord, pet portrait of an Irish Setter. Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me . Rusty, my Grandparent's dog, had personality. The stories were flying this past week, and he populated his fair share. My favorite was when Grandma left the Christmas dinner to cool on the countertop while she enjoyed a sherry with Grandpa. They returned to find that Rusty had served himself a rather generous portion of ham, leaving nothing for the family. I didn't have any photos detailed enough that would allow me to paint Rusty's true likeness. Which gave me the chance to try my hand at a more stylized method, something I've been wanting to try for a bit now - paper painting, or collage, inspired by the artwork of Elizabeth St Hilaire Nelson . I began with a panel, painted it a dark, deep blue, and then layered ...

I took last week off, solely intending to rejuice, but there were other plans in the works. You see, my Grandfather passed away on Thursday. What I wouldn't give for another bear hug. This man invented them. He went the way everyone deserves to go, peacefully and surrounded by family. Which doesn't make it that much easier for those left behind, but in the whole scheme of things, this was the moment when he deserved the most consideration, so I'm not about to begrudge anything. Thanks, as always, for looking at - and sharing - my artwork (and musings) with your friends and family. Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com www.paintingadogaday.com SHOP ORIGINALS & LIMITED EDITION GICLEES: at my Etsy shop ORDER CUSTOMIZED NOTECARDS & REPRODUCTIONS: at Imagekind COMMISSION A PET PORTRAIT: contact me GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE: contact me READING MATERIAL: Preview and order each of the Dog a Day books at the publisher's website: The First Year (2006-2007) and That...