Paintings With Soul

"Jack," a painted sketch, roughly 5" x 8" centered on a 9" x 12" mixed media paper, acrylics, private collection (THANK YOU!). As always, inquires may always come directly  to me .  What's a Painted Sketch? I offer these once a year or so, in limited quantities. The price point is lower than one of my commissioned panels, but honestly they take nearly as much work, with the same prep and lead in tasks and the larger investment of time mounting, wrapping and shipping. But I love the freedom that comes with being able to sit and draw and really connect with my materials. And I know many in my collector base appreciate the opportunity to get an original work of art at a perfect price for gift giving.   I start with a non flash, copyright free photo, measure out a small space in the center of my page, and start a contour drawing in pencil (with panels, I jump straight to the paint). A box/frame gets added around the face, and...

"Emmie's Beauty Sleep," 6" s 8", acrylic Collie portrait on canvasboard, $324 to the first one asking nicely. Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me . SOLD. Last week I got the nicest note from an old collector (old meaning pre-Dog a Day) with photos of her newest family members. The pictures of Emmie owning the couch were too good to pass up, and when I got her blessing, I rushed to the easel. Well, it didn't happen quite that easily. Well, in a way it did. You see, I had kept this week free of commission work in order to lead a pet portrait workshop at an elementary school. The workshop was rescheduled, so I happened to be easy peasy to slip Emmie in. I will, of course, hold Emmie and give my collector an opportunity to add this Dog a Day painting to her walls. But should she pass, I guarantee there will be a line forming! Meanwhile, I have begun planning my...

I couldn’t ignore the weather today – even though it was warm enough for school to be in session – it still was brutally cold. Remember last week when I painted “Cattle (Snow) Dog,” and asked for photos of your dogs romping in the white stuff? Well, this is one of the pictures I got, gracefully submitted by a client who’s collie-mix is one of my favorites. This is the third time I’ve painted Cody, and I never tire of his asymmetrical mask and doe-like eyes. So here’s what came off my brushes – “Snowdog I.” In this piece I concentrated my harder edges just on Cody’s face and ears, and used a dry brush to blend out all the other areas, so they appear to fade away into the snowdrift. He’s 4x8, available for $60. Please send inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with friends and family. Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings http://www.paintingad...

Two for one, today! "Ozzie," 4x6, border collie portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, $50. "Cody," 4x8, collie portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, $60. BOTH SOLD. I have a limited number of Dog-a-Day spots available in time for holiday gift giving on a first come basis - inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Thanks, as always, for looking, Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini PET PORTRAITS: www.turtledovedesigns.com DOG-A-DAY PAINTINGS: www.paintingadogaday.com