Paintings With Soul

You can 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 not an expert on operating systems, so if you don't know how to change your desktop wallpaper, please don't email me - I will indubitably steer you wrong. Your computer's help files 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, once you get the file installed, there are display quality issues (keep in mind, too, that options such as "stretching to fit," "tiling" and "cropping" will impact your display, so check those first!). Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim

My bedroom door proudly displays "The End of The Day," a 16" x 20" glorious and peaceful equine painting, complete with the most perfect framing job ever courtesy of Accent on Art (Lake Orion, Michigan).  This painting can grace your bedroom door or any wall in your home for $899 -  just ask nicely . When I've thrown my heart into a painting, I want a framing job that is exemplary. And that's what I get every time I take my work to Diana and DJ at Accent on Art . For this one, DJ floated the painting overtop a shallow linen lined box, and Diana finished off with a beautifully detailed gilt frame with carvings matching the delicate curls in the mare's tail.   This says exquisite on every possible level. And it makes me happy. Very happy.   Let it make you happy too - "The End of the Day" is currently available, and payment plans are accepted. Email me to make it yours.   Thanks, as always, for following along with...

This summer I've been taking art journalers on a virtual camping trip - each week we've done a new lesson together using an online classroom space. The image above is one of my journal spreads inspired by this summer's activities.  There's 10 lessons altogether, and students can complete them at their own leisure. Enrollment is open through the end of 2014 - but as of September 8th tuition jumps from $75 to $99. More information, including enrollment details,  is here . This summer has been unusually busy, and I've travelled more miles than I usually do in one entire year. Since May I've split my days fairly evenly between home and Trafalgar (Indiana), Calahari (Ohio), Saratoga Springs (New York via Campbelville Ontario), Indianapolis (Indiana), Port Huron (Michigan), Omena (Michigan) -- and I'm not done yet.  This Friday the kids and I take our annual end-of-summer trek to Cedar Point (Sandusky, Ohio).   Nearly every trip...

Ask Nicely - Buy Me Now A detail of the in process piece "Ballerina," 11" x 14", acrylics on panel, depicting a beautiful buckskin filly, $599 to the first asking nicely. View In Process Photos Lisa from Team Husar Photography sent me photos of this filly - she knew that Ella would be a great addition to my portfolio, and she was spot on. Feel free to follow along with the painting's progression - I'll be uploading photos to Facebook as I continue to work on her. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

My palette, all luscious and colorful after three days of intensive work on a top secret commissioned portrait. Want to surprise someone in your life with custom artwork? Talk to me!   The past few days I've been working on an 18" x 24" commissioned portrait, larger than lifesized. It's meant as a gift for someone who's eyes are reading this right now. Is it you?   Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim

"Invisigirl," 5" square, acrylics on museum quality panel, featuring a Burger King (yes, a Burger King!) Marvel Invisigirl figurine, $269 to the first asking nicely  . A friend asked me this a while back. And I spent some serious time thinking about it. Ultimately I decided that my superpower was my ability to love. Love is my superpower. What's yours? Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim

Day One of any workshop involves a demo-while-I'm-talking-performance. It can be hit or miss, and I'm sort of at the mercy of my muse and the space and my students. Today I was not disappointed by any of the above. I talked about building a composition, editing the reference to match one's idea, consciously choosing a color scheme, and building layered, gestural brushwork. "Floating Dorit," roughly centered on an 11" x 14" bristol board, done in acrylics, $200. Inquiries may come to me . That's the name of my 2 day intensive workshop. In 2 days we focus on how to see color with fresh eyes and how to translate what we see into juicy, gestural marks. It's a good time, as long as you have your running shoes on and are well rested. Lots of photos are being shared on my Facebook page . And information on future workshops is always here . Thanks so much for supporting my artwork, Kim

Ask Nicely & Buy Me Now Details of the nearly completed painting, may I introduce you to "Dressy Bethy," 12" square, acrylics on museum quality panel, featuring a vintage Playskool Dressy Bessy doll who's a little worse for the wear (I swear Finnigan didn't do this!), $599 to the first  asking nicely  . I realized that my creepy doll thing isn't so creepy after all. It's me coming to terms with my kids growing up, my Grandmother passing away, and a general longing for simpler times, when boo-boos could be fixed with a superhero bandaid and a popsicle. In other words, the dolls are my mid-life crises. I always thought my mid-life crises would involve a horse. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim

Ask Nicely & Buy Me Now "Spin Cycle," 18" x 24", acrylics on museum quality panel, featuring a Thoroughbred race horse getting bathed after his morning workout,  available through Spa Fine Art  . I was stalking bathers. I honestly was. My friends' cameras were mostly pointed at the training track, but I was facing the other direction, looking for those who had already run and were ready for a little rub down. This painting was inspired by a handful of gorgeous bathers from Todd Pletcher's stable one early morning last week in Saratoga. And this painting was completed during a 10 hour live painting session last Saturday at Spa Fine Art , also in Saratoga. I am so proud to be one of the many talented artists Spa represents - and they are the exclusive carrier of my Thoroughbred racing scenes. Reach out to them for personalized service like you'll get nowhere else. Thanks, as always, for following along with my...