Paintings With Soul

"Romeo," 24" x 24", commissioned portrait of a Yorkshire Terrier done in acrylic on museum quality panel.  You met Romeo already  - today he returned to my easel. He got his hair done and I took care of a couple other changes my clients had requested. There are a in process photos of Rodeo over on  the studio Facebook page  - you'll have to scroll back to January 16th to see where it all began! Want a Santini original of your own?  email me . I promise to hook you up!! I get lots of questions about how the portrait process works. I start with your photos and a short bio of the animal. We discuss your priorities and a budget, and I build a composition designed to showcase the animal's personality. I schedule a time frame to work on the painting, and when it's done, shoot you an email with a jpg of the piece. We identify any necessary changes,...

      "Melvin," 6" x 8", commissioned portrait of a black lab done in acrylic on museum quality panel. Melvin's painting has a home (thank you!), but I'm happy to discuss creating something similar for your walls -  email me .   Of course there are a couple in process photos of Melvin's portrait over on  the studio Facebook page  - take a peek at them and ask any questions you might have about my process.   And let me know if there's something you want to see or learn about, too!!   Don't forget about the auction on the heart-shaped dog tag paintings - it ends this evening at 10pm EST.   Just about the same time as the cold front comes in and snow starts to fall here in Michigan.   Visit the  studio Facebook page  to place your bid on any one of the four paintings - you bid simply by commenting on the painting you want.   Now I'm off to put the finish...

      CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:  " Double Ring Valentine ," " S Hook Valentine ," " Orange Shadowed Valentine ," and " Paperclip Valentine ," each 4" square, acrylic on museum quality panel, each available for purchase.   These paintings will be auctioned  on the studio's Facebook page  - bidding will begin at $1 and run through 10pm EST Wednesday, January 30th.    Place your bid via commenting on the painting you want.    Pay via Paypal by Friday, February 1st, 2013, and your painting will ship on Monday.   Want to commisison a painting of your own animal's tags? of course I can do that!! shoot an email  in my direction .     It's a one-day auction on these mini paintings!    The auction has already started - click on the title of the painting you want and be directly transported to the correct page!   Or visit the...

There is fresh snow on the ground from last night, yet it's been raining all day - not your typical late January Michigan weather. Although I suppose nothing is quite typical of Michigan weather anyway.  It IS good napping in a warm spot weather, though! To implement this month's desktop calendar, simply download the file  directly from my website . I've set up a couple different ways to do this, either via the photo album or a direct link. I am by no means an expert on the variety of operating systems, so I highly recommend that if you don't know how to change your desktop wallpaper, don't email me for advice. Instead consult your computer's help files - they will be more concise, more knowledgeable and more responsive than I could ever hope to be.  I've sized this to fit a standard screen height of 768 - I realize there are lots of variables that could impact how the file displays on your screen. Let me know if,...

      "Dress Rehearsal," 8" x 12", acrylic on museum quality panel, depicting The Princess and a few cohorts in costume. This painting is not for sale.   I've uploaded plenty of in process pics  on the studio's Facebook page .   This is quite a diversion from my usual subject matter, I know, but spending a full day with these ladies earlier this week was too inspiring to let linger for long. I plan to do reproductions with this image as a fundraiser for her dance studio, so stay tuned.   And just you wait until I paint her "Warrior Princess" costume - a turquoise tutu topped with an embroidered magenta silk kimono.   Inquiries are always welcomed - shoot an email  in my direction . The Princess  joined a dance team over the summer, and this weekend marks her first competition.   So last nite and into the wee hours, instead of packing suitcases and inventorying cost...

      "Henry," 6" square, acrylics on museum quality panel, a commissioned portrait of, well, of Henry. Private collection (THANK YOU!).   Henry's in process  here  on the studio's Facebook page.   Inquiries are always welcomed - yes, I can do something similar for you - shoot an email  in my direction .     Henry's Grandma has two favorite animal painters and couldn't choose who she wanted to paint his likeness, so she extended an invitation to the both of us.   I was pleased to hear that  Karen Mathison Schmidt  was the other artist. I'm an admirer of her work, and this gave me an excuse to introduce myseld and ask to be her friend.   She said yes, BTW.   And, she'll be sharing her version of Henry later today  on her blog , too.   I can't wait to see what she did with his cute little face, Kim  

      "Sunshine," 6" square, acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a Pomeranian with a large and sunny personality, private collection (THANK YOU!).   There are a couple of in process pics of Sunshine  here  on the studio's Facebook page.   Inquiries are welcomed - shoot an email  in my direction .     It is still bitterly cold here. Many of you asked yesterday where "here" was - I'm in Michigan, mid-Thumb area. And regretting ever leaving Southern California (we moved 15 years ago this month).   Hoping all remain warm today, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

      "Rodeo," 6" square, acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting one very special Daschund, private collection (THANK YOU!).   There are in process pics of Rodeo  here  on the studio's Facebook page.   Inquiries are welcomed  in my direction . Kim Santini ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com      

      "Lewis," 18 x 24", acrylics on museum quality cradeled panel, depicting a very beloved Golden Retriever.   I worked over the weekend on Lewis' portrait, getting final approval from my client on Saturday evening. It will be especially rewarding to get this piece into their home.   In process pics of Lewis are  here  on the studio's Facebook page.   And honestly, if you want to commission something extra special and extra large (Lewis is larger than life) -  email me . Let's talk.   And if you aren't yet convinced, stay tuned - I have a lifesized equine portrait waiting on the sidelines.     It promises to be a busy week in the Santini household. We've got two days off school, drumline practices, lacrosse conditioning, dance team dress rehearsal and a dance convention and competition.   Somewhere in-between all this I will complete four portraits and do some self...

      IN PROCESS:  "Lewis," 18 x 24", acrylics on museum quality cradeled panel, depicting a very beloved Golden Retriever. This commissioned portrait will be headed to it's new home very soon - but first, I have to finish it!   In process pics of Lewis are  here .   If you want to talk about commissioning something extra special and extra large (Lewis is larger than life) -  email me . Let's talk.     I'm not very patient, and it's been since the New Year that I have been waiting for this panel to be delivered. Within minutes of cracking the box open, I had the panel on the easel and was slinging paint.   I have plans to go out tonite (gasp!!), so I'm going to clean my brushes and pick up tomorrow. Stay tuned, Kim, who's looking forward to wild shenanigans like only a herd of moms can whip up  

      "Romeo," 24" square, acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a very personable Yorkshire Terrier. This is a commissioned portrait, and as such, has a home already, thank you very much.   In process pics of Romeo are  here .   If you want to talk about commissioning something extra special and extra large -  email me . I love to talk about this sort of stuff!     Romeo's painting is so large (the periwinkle underpainting was done with a house painting brush) that I made a special trip this morning to purchase bigger paint brushes.   Go big or go home, right? Fondly, Kim    

      "Do Not Disturb," 6" x 12", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting the tiniest Santini, da Vinci. This painting will go to the first one asking nicely - $369. You can  say "pretty please" via email.   I started this one yesterday, but many interruptions stretched things out over two days. Not the most ideal situation - I like to get into a groove and just let the paint flow until I'm done - but I always say it's important to step out of one's comfort zone and persevere.   In process pics of Vinnie's latest painting are  here .   And a special shout out to Facebook fan Bernadette Leigh who came up with the perfect title for this one.   If you want to talk about commissioning something extra special -  email me . I love to talk about this sort of stuff. Fondly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    

      "Valentine IV," 4" square, acrylics on panel, gorgeously framed and wired, ready to hang.   This painting is being auctioned off RIGHT NOW via Facebook** with half the proceeds going to my favorite shelter, the Oakland Pet Adoption Center. (Actually, I'll tell you a secret - all I want to do is cover my framing costs, and then the rest is going to go to the shelter.)   Place your bids  here . But hurry, because bidding ends at 6pm EST tomorrow, January 16th, 2013.   Thanks for playing along.   And if you want to talk about commissioning something extra special -  email me  and we can talk.     **You DO NOT have to have a Facebook account to view the auction, but you do need to have one in order to place a bid.   I cleaned out my painting storage this morning and found the little treasure above. It seemed serendipitous to unearth a heart shaped...

      "Pom Pride," 6" square, acrylics on a museum quality panel, portrait of a Pomeranian, $299 to the first one  asking nicely .   Just as whites are not truely white, blacks are not truly black. At least not in my world! Inspired by a sassy little guy I met in Frankenmuth Michigan over the summer.    In process views of "Pride" were shared on the  studio Facebook page . You can find them inside  the Mobile Uploads folder . And by the way, you do not need to have a Facebook account to view either of those links.   I'd love to talk about creating spectacular original art for you -  email me  and we can talk.   Fondly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

      "Pippa," roughly 6" square on a 9" x 12" paper, commissioned portrait of a Brittany Spaniel, not for sale.   I grew up with Brittanys, and spent today remembering Beau, my first dog. Every so often I feel his head at my knee, nudging me forward when I'm most afraid. Even though he's been gone for 22 years, he knows when I need him.   In process views of "Pippa" were shared on the  studio Facebook page . You can find them inside  the Mobile Uploads folder . And by the way, you do not need to have a Facebook account to view either of those links.   I'd love to talk about creating spectacular original art for you -  email me  and we can talk. Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com     

      "Guppies I," 8" x 10", a not-very-still-at-all-still-life painting done in acrylics on museum quality panel, worked up from an actual fishbowl and non-floating guppies. Not for sale.   I'm working out some ideas for a new series of fish pieces - lots of glass and water and reflections punctuated by boldly colored swimmers.   In process views of "Guppies I" were shared on the  studio Facebook page  yesterday. You can find them inside  the Mobile Uploads folder . And by the way, you do not need to have a Facebook account to view either of those links.   I'd love to talk about creating spectacular original art for you -  email me  and we can talk.   da Vinci and Mona Lisa pretty much ignore the fish bowl when it's on the coffee table because the mouth of it is stuffed with rooting houseplants and herbs, making the guppies not as obv...

    Order Notecards   "Telling Secrets," 12" x 12", portrait of two kitties in the sunlight, done in acrylic on a museum quality panel, available for $599. Interested parties may  email me  for more information.   In process views of "Telling Secrets" were shared on the studio Facebook page  yesterday. You can find them inside the Mobile Uploads folder . And by the way, you do not need to have a Facebook account to view either of those links.   I'd love to talk about creating spectacular original art for you -  email me  and we can talk.     Last night at my Art Guild meeting we hosted a critique. It's one of the best attended meetings of the year.   There's nothing like a well run critique to get your creative juices going.  Analyzing the artwork and discussing elements like compositional plays, palette choices, methods of markmaking - it's all a great learn...

    Order Notecards and Reproductions   "Reilly," 11" x 14", commissioned portrait of a chocolate lab, done in acrylic on a museum quality panel, in a private collection (THANK YOU!).   In process views of Reilly's portrait as it unfolded were shared on the  studio Facebook page  yesterday. You can find them inside  the Mobile Uploads folder . And by the way, you do not need to have a Facebook account to view either of those links.   I'd love to talk about creating something just as spectacular as Reilly's portrait for you -  email me  and we'll begin that conversation!!     It's scarey, allowing my clients and the general public to watch my work unfold (because during my work day I post in-process pics of paintings to the studio Facebook page).   I'm opening myself up to criticism - what if I am having a bad day in the studio? what if the client totally hates the...

    The Odilon Redon inspired page spread from my sketchbook**, approximately 14" x 24" overall, mixed media (metallic and pearlescent ink and acrylic paint), not for sale.   Part of my studies this year include an analysis of  Odilon Redon's  work. This page identifies the details and processes he used which I find especially effective. Notes are complimented by my own exercises in paint, trying to recreate some of his patterning, edgework, color palettes and compositional devices.       **My Sketchbook is a textbook repurposed with gesso and acrylics. I am pleased with the idea that my simple thoughts on painting lie overtop a survey of the history of art.   I spent a large chunk of this weekend filling my visual memory banks.   I was treated to several hours of dance and musical theater courtesy of The Princess's dance studio. We spent a gray afternoon being transported to Midd...

    "Barry," 8" square, commissioned portrait of a beloved Chihuahua, done in acrylics on a museum quailty panel. This painting is sold (THANK YOU!), but  email me  and we can talk about creating one for you.   Additional views are posted inside the  Mobile Uploads  folder on  the studio Facebook page .     Due to popular demand I created a yearly planner peppered with Painting a Dog a Day images, some of my favorites from the last 18 months. It's available  here , along with a complete preview (in case you are wondering if your favorite painting is included).   Thanks for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com      

    "Daydream," roughly 9" x 14-1/2", done in acrylics on a museum quailty panel, portrait of Bear, one of my most popular muses - I don't think I'll ever get tired of painting him or his sister Nita (thank you, LH, for sharing them with me!!).   This painting is not currently on the market, but will be in several months. Interested parties, please  shoot me an email  for updates on "Daydream"s availability.   Additional views are posted inside the  Mobile Uploads folder on  the studio Facebook page .   My first challenge for this year is 30 days of painting focused on light - I've joined ranks with several hundred other creatives spurred on by artist  Leslie Saeta . Our goal is 30 paintings in 30 days. This is #3 for me.   Yesterday  Finnigan's portrait  was an experiment of patterning in shadow - Bear's is just the opposite. What fun these are - I have literally been...