Paintings With Soul

Detail of a nearly finished but still in process portrait, "Poppy Puppy," 12" x 16", pet portrait of a delightful little Frenchie. Poppy is acrylics on museum quality panel (and he has a lovely home, thank you so very much!). All inquiries may  come to me . Every day is busy here, but today seemed even more so. Got more prep work done for next week's 4 day painting workshop in Baton Rouge, created new demo pieces and then taught journaling class tonite (I accidentally mailed all my demos for today's class to Baton Rouge as part of the workshop inspiration - DUH!), picked up new glasses (and popped a couple ibuprofin, as my eyes are having a tough time adjusting to the new prescription), did 6 loads of laundry (the kids finally brought towels down from their rooms!), and took The Princess resale shopping/thrifting (no new dolls discovered, but she snagged a super cute lace top for $5!). Thanks, as always, for following along wit...

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...

"Princess Playmobil," 5" x 15", acrylics on museum quality panel, heralding from my kids' stash of Playmobil toys, $99 to the first  asking nicely  . I'm working out logistics of placement of my still life setup, it's proximity to my easel, and how to best manage dramatic lighting for the setup but even lighting for my workspace.  On top of the whole painting process, there's a science to building the visual to begin with. Who knew? Next I'm headed to Traverse City to teach for four days - can't wait to meet my new kids for the week! I'll try to update regularly, if they don't run me ragged. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim

View Other Recent Sketches "Gracie," painted sketch approximately 4" wide, roughly centered on a 9" x 12" paper, depicting a Goldendoodle, private collection (THANK YOU).  After a dozen years of painting mostly commissions, in 2014 I gave myself the luxury of painting mostly for me. It's been a challenge on one very unexpected level.  As a portrait painter, my goal was to achieve a likeness and capture some of the subjects' personality. But remove the portrait aspect from the painting, and my message changes.  What do I want to say?  That's a B.I.G. question. I've traveled quite a ways from my original Painting a Dog a Day challenge - and I appreciate you indulging me as I try on new things. Like dolls. Bunnies. The Emerging series. And some other things, like layering . (Which gets my brain thinking about layered cakes and doing some Wayne Thiebaud inspired art) ...

"Untitled," 6" x 8", my most recent Barbie portrait, done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, available to the first collector asking nicely, $329 including s&h inside the US. Inquiries may come to me . And in process images  are here. Tomorrow will be consecutive Snow Day #5. If I include all of Christmas break and the snow day that kicked said break off, tomorrow will be day 20. With. My. Kids. Home. Not that I'm counting.  There is no end in sight - the roads are ridiculously icy and snow covered, high winds are creating absurd sub-zero temperatures, and the dog won't even go out to pee without a food item (preferably warmed, although I doubt it is so when he finds it) thrown into the drifting snow. If I were Barbie, I'd be sailing through these days with sublime makeup, perfect hair and matching shoes. Our reality is very different. For instance, I celebrated showering today. Just a peek into the glamorous ...

"Disheveled," 10" x 12", portrait of a ratty haired Barbie, done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, available to the first collector asking nicely, $600 including s&h inside the US. Inquiries may come to me . SOLD (thank you) In process images of Barbie's newest painting are shared here, including a photo of my non-conventional setup. I'm relatively new to still life work, and trying to get creative in how I stage and light the dolls. It's more challenging than you realize - having an interesting play of light and shadow on the object I'm painting while also maintaining even light on my easel and palette, all within the confines of a 10'x12' room. I'm game for tips - all you still life experts, please speak up!! Thanks for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

"Oliver," 6" x 8", commissioned portrait intended as a Christmas gift, acrylic on museum quality panel, depicting a suspected labradoodle, private collection (THANK YOU!). In process images are here .  ORDER PRINTS/NOTECARDS/SMARTPHONE CASES (you won't BELIEVE how cute Oliver is on a smartphone case!!) This painting was a challenge on many fronts - Oliver passed away suddenly, and the only photos my clients could squirrel away from his family were less than stellar. Nevertheless, I think he's got a dashing sense of color. And some excellent hair going on, too! And he's so darned cute, that I also activated reproduction ordering so that everyone could have a little bit of Oliver for themselves. Thanks so much for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

    At Peace (Gracie May), 12" x 18", depicting our neighbor's dog. I started this painting at my Dragon on the Lake demo in August of this year - it was a hot and windy day, which led to a little excitement as I painted with one hand steadying the canvas on my easel. Today Gracie made it to my studio easel for the finishing touches. This painting can be yours for $639. Inquiries may come  to me .     On any given day I can peek out my studio window and catch a glimpse of Gracie May sunning herself at her home across the street. Usually with a shoe nearby.   A rescued dog, Gracie's of uncertain ancestry - she's much taller and lighter boned than a typical lab, but has their sweet disposition and fondness for cookies. Lumpy and stiff with arthritis, her tail thumps upon your approach and she rolls for a good belly rub.   If I'm especially lucky, she'll get up, drop her head, wiggle her butt, and howl with anticipation when ...

"Siblings," 6" x 12", a posthumous commissioned dog portrait, painted in acrylics on museum quality panel, private collection (THANK YOU!). Want one of your own? Inquiries may come  to me .     It felt so good to pick up my brushes today and work in the studio. Like riding a bike.   Thanks so much for following along with my work, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

IN PROCESS, "At Peace (Gracie)," 18" x 12", a portrait of light (and my neighbor's much beloved Gracie May), painted in acrylics on museum quality panel, $639 when completed. Inquiries may come  to me .     What a great weekend spent at Dragon on the Lake, the summertime festival my local town hosts!   This year in addition to our involvement with The Princess's Dance team, I was invited to paint live in the middle of the art fair.   And "At Peace" is the painting I started yesterday.    It was very warm with gusty winds - winds that lifted my easel at one point and threatened to topple it. There was lots of spritzing my palette to keep the paints dry and one hand steadying the large panel with each wind gust.   I'll spend a bit more time with her before she's finished - but she does have a lovely glow. And it was no accident that I chose to work on a painting that was more about light than the su...

      Seriously, come paint with me! I'm going to share some of my ideas about color mixing and paint application. And talk for a bit, too, about how artists can use the internet to promote and brand their work.    It's all going down in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, April 18th - 21st. More info here.   I'd love to hang with you!   (And if this workshop doesn't fit your calendar, there'a another one in  Traverse City Michigan  this August and a third one happening in  Springfield Missouri  this September)   Come on, let's throw some paint around together!! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com