Paintings With Soul

A photograph by moi of The Princess, one which I intend to paint shortly. Inquires may come directly to me .  The Evolution of Inspiration This is the path I've followed: 1.  Paint what I love. Madly, obsessively, with a focus purely on subject matter. 2.  Embrace a particular process, everything about it, until the approach is wrung dry. 3.  Fall in love with an element, like line, and relentlessly think about nothing else. 4.  Dissolve myself in the process of creating, running others' content through my own filter. 5.  Actively seek out new experiences and media, bringing freshness into my routine. 6.  Look inwards and to my own life for sublime moments, and linger in those via my process. It's this last stage where I'm standing now, with great intent. And this weekend I will be deeply immersed there, in the backstage happenings at a dance convention, channeling all of the above. 1.  ...

"In the Wings," an 8"x10" portrait of The Princess from last year, acrylics on museum quality panel, $469. Inquiries may come to me . I'm leaving early today for a weekend dance competition with my daughter. She has her Dream Duffel packed and I have my Art Survival Kit.  I'll be watching for perfect moments like this (backstage at last Spring's recital) to turn into paint (and channel my inner Degas). In the meanwhile, I've created an album of my dance paintings - proceeds from reproductions, notecards and cell phone case sales go straight into The Princess's dance fund. And if you would like to talk about commissioning a portrait of your dancer, please, let me know . Thanks for following along with my artwork and supporting the arts, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Ballerinas from Broadway Dance Co opened Alayna's benefit concert this past Saturday with a moving rendition of friendship and bravery. Alayna, a friend of my daughter, is recovering from chemotherapy complications.      This weekend, my community joined forces and showed what love can do. Performers sang and danced, with tears and broken voices, and there was no doubt that Alayna and her family were deeply loved.   Many of you, people with no connection to this girl, have been praying for Alayna, some made donations to her medical fund, there were items donated for a silent auction - some even donated blood and platelets when she was so critically ill in early August.   At a time when the media primarily shares news of strife and immeasurable heartache, it's key to remember that we are not trapped in a world gone haywire. We each have the capacity to change lives. To motivate. To inspire.   And small kindnesses, wh...

AT TOP, completed, and below in process, "In the Wings," 8" x 10", a portrait of The Princess in one of her ballet costumes, painted in acrylics on museum quality panel. Inquiries may come  to me  - I'm not sure I'll be able to part with this one, despite having many paintings of her already. This is what I accomplished late last nite. Again, I challenged myself to paint the light. Of course, there were other challenges too. A football scrimmage, dance class, volunteer hours, orientation at two different school buildings. Never a dull moment in these parts. That's why I love my life so very much! In process pics on  the studio Facebook page . Thanks so much for following along with my work, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

    "Warrior Princess," 6" x13", portrait of my daughter and friends, acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a scene from their group ballet number of the same title, collection of The Princess.   I wish wish wish wish wish wish wish wish I had paid better attention in my life drawing classes many moons ago. Because now this sort of stuff - drawing my kids doing the things they love - would be so much easier.   In process pictures are on  the studio's Facebook page  along with.....   The Dog a Day Valentine's Day Giveaway finalists !   Go take a peek and see if you can predict who I'm going to paint on Thursday (honestly, I don't know yet!!)   Fondly,  Kim, who wants to start a new painting now but her calendar is full of other things. Wah.  

    IN PROCESS:  "Warrior Princess," 6" x13", an ongoing portrait of The Princess and her partners in crime (yet to be added to the piece), done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a group of ballerinas I've grown to love, collection of The Princess.   I spent the weekend at my second dance competition, surrounded by the most fabulous costumes and music and elegance, and the whole time my hands itched to hold brushes and bring it all to life.   So tonite, after yet another snow day and a houseful of kiddos, I indulged.   I am sipping wine during the evening as I continue working on this piece (and hoping hoping hoping that everyone gets on the bus tomorrow morning!) - and I'll post lots of pictures to  the studio's Facebook page  (not of the victorious moment at the busstop, but of what plays out in the studio tonite). Thank you for following along.   And before I get 100 requests - t...