Paintings With Soul

IN PROCESS "Poppy Puppy," 12" x 16", acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting the most perfect Frenchie ever, Poppy has a home ( and what a magnificent one it is !), but I am always happy to talk about creating a custom painting just for you - inquires may come directly to me . Oh, and in process pics are here . (PS, I couldn't love that periwinkle in the background shadow any more. Here's hoping I can figure out a way to marry it to the rest of the painting, because right now it's just a tad too saturated.) The Big Easy I have really behaved myself, because Dianna (A.K.A. Stella Gray) and I have been talking for moons about adding my artwork to her bohemian lifestyle offerings. There were all sorts of things rearing their sometimes ugly sometimes painfully beautiful heads, and so we just bid our time. But now, my pretties, now is the time! (and I am planning a Wizard of Oz series of doll paintings, in case you were los...

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

"Dorrit," 9" x 12", ink and acrylics on sketch paper, depicting our lionhead bunny. This piece will go to the first one offering $100 - with the added bonus of getting a house bunny who doesn't need a litter box! As always, inquires may always come directly to me .   SOLD (thank you!) Chasing Rabbits That's the phrase Carla Sonheim uses to describe active play. The homework she assigned us this week is to actively play with our supplies. Ahh, yeah, I can SO do that! (and feel like I kinda did yesterday when playing around with the background to Dreamer ).  Ever since the bunny took up residence inside the house (to avoid the polar vortex), I've been itching to sketch her. Which I finally did today. AFTER I blocked in a new commissioned portrait. This is a single lined contour drawing, laid down in pencil first, then embellished with a little paint, then inked. I'm calling these Contour Doodles. They are grand f...

"Dreamer (formerly Ballerina)," 9" x 12", acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a pretty filly playing in an imaginary space. She's looking for a new home - $599 includes s&h to any US doorway. As always, inquires may always come directly to me . Oh, and in process pics are here .  I've been looking at a lot of art lately (that might be a separate blog post!), measuring it against my inner vision (notice I didn't say measuring it against my work!! that is a no-no!!), and figuring out where I want to go with my work (because yes, I do get bored painting the same thing the same way, day after day). I have plans right now for two workshops this spring (focused on expressive, ambiguous, and loose mark making) and am currently deep inside two others (examining joy and acceptance). Plus I have compositions that have been in my head since December's still life workshop with Vianna Szabo (continuing my love affair with l...

"Dapples and Braided," a contour doodle, roughly 9" x 12", acrylics and ink on paper. This piece has been donated to the Equis Gallery Relocation Fund and is available via auction -  learn more and bid here . And as always, inquires may always come directly to me .  A Contour Doodle? Yup, you read it right. It's a contour drawing done with great joi de vivre, then embellished with spirited color (acrylic paint). It's something I discovered via Carla Sonheim and Lynn Whipple's class The Year of the Spark (get used to me talking about the class, because it's gonna carry me through all of 2015 - you can see my homework , and even order prints of some of the assignments ). I combined Carla's "one-liners" - drawings done with, literally, one line - with my paints, and a new idea was born! I've been playing around with these the past couple days. I think it's pretty obvious I am having a good time, too! ...

"Blue Gypsies," 12" wide, acrylics on an Ampersand gessobord, depicting a Gypsy Vanner mare and foal from my own photo archives. This painting needs a new home - added bonus? these two beautiful ladies do not need their stall mucked and no farrier or vet bills! $599 includes s&h inside the US. In process photos are here and inquires about getting your own commission or a different painting may always come directly to me .  The Gypsy Ladies are one of my entries in the 2015 Equus Film Festival. This is an event relatively new to my radar, one that I hope will help me get my equine paintings in front of an equine-centric audience. Because, truly, I am so much more than The Dog Lady. Honest to god, that's what I get called all the time. So here's how the poster thing works - the film festival has a ginormous album of images on their Facebook page, and if you like and share mine (assuming that you do like them and do want to sha...

"Let Sleeping Dogs Lay," 11" x 6", acrylics on an Ampersand gessobord, this year's Valentine painting giveaway. My apologies for the bit of glare on the right side of the piece - this one needs to be cut out of the larger board I painted on, so I had to photograph it (vs scanning). This painting will shortly be headed home! In process photos are here and inquires about getting your own pet portrait come directly to me .  Last week I put out a call for photos - it was time for my annual Valentine's Day Painting Giveaway. I received 77 entries and narrowed them down to 9 wonderful finalists . Today I chose one of those 9 photos, and created the piece at left. Ultimately, this guy (or girl - I have no information on the dog's name or sex) won because he was all warm and cozy, something I totally envied given our extreme cold here in Michigan this week. I painted him while standing in front of a portable heater, swathed in layers o...

They are Popular, That's For Certain! And I only offer then once a year - this time around, last year's biggest collectors got first dibs on the spots. I contacted them privately earlier this month, which means I already have 11 sketches booked (thank you SO much!!). So the remaining 9 spots will go to those first able to supply suitable photos and payment. Please refer to the flyer above for all pertinent details. And let's be nice to each other, please? no pushing, shoving, or cutting in line - I will respond to all inquiries in the order received. But again, if there's questions, please check the flyer above. I don't want you  to lose your spot because you were waiting on my response to an email (and we know that I try so hard to keep up with email!!). And I expect these spots will go F.A.S.T. I will confirm reservations in the order received. Pinky promise. But now I'm moving to the easel, so you won't hear from me ema...

"Wally's Garden," 12" x 16", acrylics on an Ampersand panel, depicting Wally, a kitty from my childhood, and some special guests. You can read more about the idea behind this painting in the captions accompanying the in process photos. This painting will be heading to my childhood best friend's home shortly.   My childhood BFF lost her both parents last month. I have so much more than merely fond memories of them, because I am living a life that they actively nurtured and set me upon. You see, her Mom introduced me to the fine art of throwing a tea party. To taking pride in your work (this woman embroidered enough fabric to reupholster her entire house - and did!). To fairies (she sprinkled me with fairy dust the day of my high school graduation). She took me to my first symphony. And my first visit to a museum. Her home was my introduction to playing piano and PBS. She regularly took me to Baskin Robbins (and patiently waited for m...

"Momma's Got Your Back," 10" x 12", acrylics on a Raymar panel, depicting a spanking new filly and her momma, both from Freelands Gypsy Horses . Photo used with permission. This painting can be yours for $500, including s&h within the contiguous US. In process photos are here and inquires may come directly to me .  Sometimes time is all you need. After taking a break from this piece over the weekend, this morning I saw immediately what needed to be done. And I did it. Or so I think - we'll see what my eyes tell me tomorrow morning! Meanwhile, I sorted through 77 Valentines Day Painting Giveaway entries - you can see the finalists on FB. Which photo do you think I'll be painting on Friday? Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork! Warmly, Kim   ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

IN PROCESS: "Momma's Got Your Back," 10" x 12", acrylics on a Raymar panel, depicting spanking new filly and her momma, both from Freelands Gypsy Horses . Their photo used with permission. This painting can be yours for $599, including s&h within the contiguous US. In process photos are here and inquires may come directly to me .  This painting is particularly challenging because it is high contrast and has very few crisp edges. And I am head over heels in love so far because it is mostly light and dark shapes and has lots of lost edges. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger, right? I'm off to a show opening, but remain excited to return to this one with some fresh eyes and perhaps a glass of wine later on. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork! Warmly, Kim   ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

"Nicker," 16" x 16" x 2", acrylics on a cradeled Ampersand gessobord panel, depicting a pensioner from Old Friends in upstate New York. This painting can be yours for $999, including s&h within the contiguous US. In process photos are here and inquires may come directly to me .  Two summers ago I visited Old Friends , a retirement home for Thoroughbreds who were done with lives on the track or in the breeding shed. I wish I could remember who this fellow was - maybe Thunder Rumble ? - but it was someone I recalled watching run. Whomever this particular horse was, he was living a dignified life, with plenty of space to roam, friends to socialize with, and lots of love. What every horse deserves. I started this painting last night, and there's plenty of in process images on line. You can follow along in my decision making process and see how he looked in the earliest stages. And I may be making another adjustment to him tom...

"Getting Cozy," 8" x 10", Golden acrylics on a Raymar panel, last year's Valentine winner. Read on to find out how you can play along and potentially win an original Santini painting of your own! And, as always,  let me know if you would like something similar for yourself! Nothing says "I Love You" quite as much as gifting one of my paintings starring your favorite furry Valentine!. At left is last year's Valentine Giveaway winner Dugger. Dugger starred in his own 8" x 10" portrait, my gift to his family as thanks for following along with my artwork. Can you believe that it's that time again? Yup, the Valentine Giveaway is back! Here's how it works: Send 2-3 clear, non-flash copyright free photos (meaning you took them yourself AND you had the flash turned off on your camera) of your pet  to me via email , using the subject line of "Valentine." Be creative in your photos - I will be lo...

"Paco Pug," 8" x 10", Golden acrylics on a Raymar panel. I have seen pics of Paco in my FB photo stream for a loooooong time, as he belongs to fellow daily painter Kelley MacDonald - I was pretty pleased to get to paint him for her today! Paco's portrait is Kelley's, but let me know if you would like something similar for yourself! This is how I love to paint. Layers of loose and gloppy brush strokes. Glorious harmonic color. Just enough light to make me swoon. A face you want to squeeze. In process images are here.   Love Paco? Then get him on a phone case . Or a pillow . Or 48" wide for over your couch . Or send him in the mail to someone needing a smile . Thank you so much! Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork! Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

"Zen Dog," 36" x 14", acrylics on panel, depicting Zevon, a friend's newly rescued family member. This is Golden acrylics on a Raymar panel and can be yours for $2999, including s&h within the contiguous US. In process photos are on the Studio FB page . pARTy details are here . Inquires may come directly to me .  It's Long Past Time for a pARTy Have you ever attended a pARTy before? The idea is simple - someone shares the rights to one of their photographs, and challenges creatives to make artwork inspired by the photo. All of the work is then displayed collectively, for the whole world to see the variety of interpretations and possibilities resulting from the one image. Now here's the good part - Photographer  Juliet Harrison granted us permission to throw a pARTy in Zevon's honor! So here's the details: The reference photograph is here . Please respect that this photo is being shared purely for the creation of ...