Paintings With Soul

Gouache, watercolor and micron pens create random patterning in my journal. This particular technique was inspired by sketches in one of my student's journals. Just like with the Painting a Dog a Day project, my love of journalling began out as a means to feed my creativity and keep the ideas flowing. And now it's blossomed into leading workshops and teaching others how to discover their own journalling voice. Each session involves a new concept and a mess of supplies - attendees only need bring a blank book or their journal and an open mind. Past classes have included printmaking, stamp carving, stenciling, collage, 3D page construction, sketching, calligraphy and text, sewn embellishments and water-based media. You need not have any artistic skills or prior knowledge to journal. I am now accepting enrollment for the following workshops, all happening at Little Monsters Toy Shop in downtown Lake Orion: Journalling for Kids (ages 5-15), Apr 17th, May 1st, May 15th, May ...

BUY NOTECARDS/REPRODUCTIONS "Troublemaker (Frankie)," 6" square, portrait of a Boston Terrier, done in Golden Open Acrylics on an Ampersand Gessobord. This is a commissioned portrait created on the sly from photos also taken on the sly - the painting will shortly be gifted to Frankie's mom by her family. I don't know Frankie, but I do know her Mom, and if Frankie's even a smidge like her, then "Troublemaker" doesn't even begin to cover it. Want to gift something that'll never be forgotten? Let's talk. We can do an actual painting (if you can get photos) or a gift certificate (and let the recipient shoot the pics). Prices start at $49. Thanks in advance for sharing the Painting a Dog a Day artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

BUY NOTECARDS/REPRODUCTIONS "Whiskery Clyde," 4" x 8", portrait of a black Clydesdale, done in Golden Open Acrylics on an Ampersand Gessobord. Clyde's painting is part of my Gratitude Project , and as such, proceeds from the sale of it will go to his host shelter, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (BFAS) in Kanab, Utah. "Whiskery Clyde" is $259 and will go to the first asking nicely. You can ask nicely here. Clyde is one of the Guardian Angel animals at BFAS, coming to the sanctuary when his family could no longer provide the special care his feet required. You can read all about his progress here - it's encouraging to hear how they have treated his canker and foot health. I always enjoy catching up, too, on the Guardian Angel pages . There are some very special animals at Best Friends. Switching gears, there is still lively debate happening on Katherine Tyrrell's Making a Mark Blog about derivative art , plagarism and developing your own...

In January I took a book making class with local genius Pat McGraw. We decided to reconvene in March with a newly made book for each of the attendees and do a book exchange of sorts. I snagged a full-color Van Gogh coffeetable book with broken binding at my library's used book sale. I gently removed the pages, tore them into equally sized strips, artfully grouped into signatures (text meeting fragments of paintings, sometimes upside down even), which I then pamphlet stitched. Five signatures were then woven together along the spines using a watercolor dyed pearle cotton. I was particularly excited about the random quality of the assembled pages. Snippets of the text ran alongside bits of paintings, and when placed in context with each other, encouraged entirely new discoveries. I also made sure to include plenty of space in the margins and elsewhere so that the recipient could add their own thoughts to the books. We met one evening last week, enjoyed catching up with each othe...

ORDER NOTECARDS/REPRODUCTIONS "Dottie's Still Here", a painted sketch, paper sized 5" x 7", done in Golden Open and Heavy Body acrylics on multimedia artists board. Dottie's is a commissioned Jack Russell portrait with a special story. Dottie's Mom is going through chemo right now, and had to say goodbye to her little soulmate rather abruptly and unexpectedly. Dottie's extended family thought a portrait would remind her Mom of how much she has - and is - loved. It was my honor to be a part of this gift. Thanks in advance for sharing the Painting a Dog a Day artwork and my journey, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com "Help Japan" This week's Daily Paintworks challenge , "Help Japan," is a fundraiser for the survivors of the Japanese earthquake. Over $15,000 has already been raised by the participating artists! Visit the event page to browse the artwork. Paintings are still being added. If you want to go directly to ...

ORDER NOTECARDS/REPRODUCTIONS "Martha's Pink Nose", 6" x 8", portrait of a Yellow Labrador Retriever, done in Golden Open and Heavy Body acrylics on a Raymar panel. Martha's Mom gets first dibs. I'll be happy to take names and numbers - who wants second dibs? email me. SOLD (thank you!). Today I've been thinking a lot about copyright and derivative artwork. It started out innocently enough via an artists guild conversation, and it seemed to be on other people's minds too. Both Seth Godin and Katherine Tyrell mentioned different aspects of it in on their blogs today. Being part of the art continu-um (not sure how to spell it!) and an art historian by training, I have always been aware of how difficult it is to create something fresh and new. I can't help but think that those who cave to this pressure by purposely taking (or consciously making) artwork that isn't purely self directed are short changing themselves. (Copying for educati...

ORDER NOTECARDS/REPRODUCTIONS "Sunbeam", 4" x 6", portrait of a sunbathing Maltese, done in Golden Open and Heavy Body acrylics on a Raymar panel, available for $239 (10% of the sale of this painting will go to my local shelter). After last night's dumping of snow and ice on my newly green world, I needed to pretend I was someplace warm. This painting transported me to a warmer climate, a comfy chair, and a sweaty glass of iced tea. Unfortunately, in a matter of minutes, I'll be transported back to the real world, driving the track carpool, shutting several to drum line practice, and making a run to the library. Which means I'll have to go scrape the inch of ice off my vehicle. Which means this evening I'll reward myself with an Irish Coffee in lieu of that tea. Meanwhile, last night I added a second painting to the "Help Japan" Challenge - a 8" x 6" pet portrait, done to your specifications. If you were thinking about sett...

I mailed the studio's March Newsletter today. If you do not already receive it via email, you can check out the archive and read it there. I tried to squeeze all the news into a blog post, but it just wasn't going to fit, so instead I'll just make use of the archive and move on with my day! Should you want to subscribe to the newsletter, please use the link at the left (Train Your Email to Fetch). Future issues will come directly to you via email. Meanwhile, the Daily Paintworks "Help Japan" Challenge continues to go strong, closing in on $10,000 raised! Thanks in advance for your compassion and support, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

BID ON "RUTHIE" ORDER NOTECARDS/REPRODUCTIONS "Ruthie", 6" x 8", portrait of a vintage Ruth B. Newton baby doll, done in Golden Open and Heavy Body acrylics on a Raymar panel. This painting is being auctioned via the Daily Paintworks "Help Japan" fundraiser . 100% of the proceeds from the sale of "Ruthie" will be donated to Save the Children . "Ruthie"'s opening bid is only $49 , and she will be going to a new home, regardless of her ending price, in 7 days. Please show your support for the children in Japan by bidding on Ruthie (or any other of the beautiful pieces making up the "Help Japan" event ). And bookmark the "Help Japan" site and continue visiting - because artwork will be added through Friday March 25th, with the auctions extending into early April. You may b id on "Ruthie" here. (did I say thanks?) Because not everyone can afford to purchase an original, I will also dona...

ORDER NOTECARDS/REPRODUCTIONS "Murphy Can Dance", 4" x 6", portrait of a (Cairn?) Terrier, done in Golden Open and Heavy Body acrylics on a Raymar panel, $239. Email me if you are interested in buying him. And thanks! I don't know much about this little fella, other than the fact that he's very cute, which is rather obvious. Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my artwork with your friends and family. Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Make a Difference Next week's Daily Paintworks challenge will be a fundraiser for the survivors of the Japanese earthquake. It's called "Help Japan" and more information is available on the Daily Paintworks website . I will be participating, both as a contributor and as a buyer. If you have the means, I encourage you to consider one or the other. Or both. Thanks so much.

ORDER NOTECARDS & REPRODUCTIONS of "Right Here" "Right Here", 8" square, commissioned portrait of a mixed breed dog, done in Golden Open and Heavy Body acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord, private collection (thank you!). It never ceases to amaze me, the depth of compassion we can share. A group of friends chipped in to commission this portrait for a colleague who was hit by a car when walking their dog. This gentleman walked away from the accident bruised and sore, but his little one didn't fare as well. I hope that my painting will bring a sliver of her back into his life. Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my artwork with your friends and family. I'll be having a green beer in your honor tonite - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Make a Difference Next week's Daily Paintworks challenge will be a fundraiser for the survivors of the Japanese earthquake. It's called "Help Japan" and more information is available ...

ORDER NOTECARDS & REPRODUCTIONS of "First Mate " "First Mate (Gretta)", 8" x 10", commissioned portrait of a young Vizsla, done in Golden Open and Heavy Body acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord, private collection (thank you!). There can't be very many Vizsla's named Gretta, and if you think you know this dog - I'm warning you - the painting is a surprise! Let's keep it on the low...... I've been assured that the recipient does not know about my blog or Painting a Dog a Day. Yet. Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my artwork with your friends and family - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com PS Wanna commission your own Dog a Day painting? Then let's talk! Naughty! Yesterday DogArtToday and Mutt Lynch Winery announced the rules and theme - "Naughty" - for t his year's wine label contest. Do you suppose that Rusty , bad dog that he was, had anything to do with this? (For those new to Painting a Dog...

ORDER NOTECARDS & REPRODUCTIONS of "Bernie" "Bernie", 5" x 7", commissioned portrait of a mixed breed dog, done in Golden Open and Heavy Body acrylics on a multimedia artboard, private collection (thank you!). Bernie's sketch is winging it's way home as you read this. It will be a welcome addition to the household, as Bernie himself passed away a few years back. His Mom says she kept peeking at her email, since seeing his face again made her so happy. And that makes me happy, too. Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my artwork with your friends and family - Be happy - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com PSST! Wanna Great Gift? With sketches starting at $49, it's easy to gift a Dog a Day pet portrait. Mother's Day is coming up, and Father's Day too. I imagine there might be a few birthdays tucked in between now and then as well. And shoot, you can always be way organized and start planning for the holidays now. L...