Paintings With Soul

Sal (Salvatore Doggie, one of my studio dogs) wanted me to you remind you how much you are loved. Today and everyday. Always and forever. Hope you are feeling it. And thank you so much for your interest in my artwork, All my best, warmly, Kim  

"Paul Anka," 8"x10"x1", acrylics on cradled wood panel, private collection (thank you very much!!). Inquiries can always come   to me . It's been 19 years since I hung out my shingle and officially began a new career as a pet portrait artist. With 3 children aged 6 and under, I started painting at the dining room table while they napped, moving into my own studio two years later. My daily painting commitment,   www.PaintingaDogaDay.com , started 4 years afterwards. There have been well over 1000 faces gracing my easel in this time, and I fall in love with each and every one of them. Here's an added bonus for you - I started Paul Anka's portrait   via a live feed on Facebook . You can   watch it   on the studio Facebook page, or if you are boycotting social media like so many others, it is currently uploading to   YouTub e (and taking forever, I might add, so  message me and I'll send you a head's up when it's ready!). It would be re...

"Blue," an 8x10 acrylic painting done on museum quality cradeled birch. Blue is going directly into my own collection, but I can create something similar starring your own pet. Inquiries may come   to me   - thank you! Continuing to think about how gesture impacts brushwork, and how brushwork can both carve and interrupt form. Learning that the essence of an object exists in energy that is not contained by neat and clean edges. Going to tackle a new piece today and see how far I can push these ideas. Thanks, as always, for following along with my art journey, Warmly, Kim

Inspired by the work of David Shevlino, done overtop a sketch completed in Aprils 30Dogs30Days. This is "red Shevlino," an 8x10 acrylic painting done on canvasboard. He is $199 plus s&hto the first asking nicely. I take paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Inquiries may come   to me   - thank you! Artists pull inspiration from a variety of sources. A revisit to The Little Prince firmly lodged the fox's words in my head:  "One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eye." And that got me thinking, how the heck do I paint things that are essential and therefore intangible? It got me googling last night - I started out with an exploration of edges and how various treatments achieve different results. I got distracted by   Gregory Manchess's   paintings, and ultimately ended up on   David Shevlino's   website (and of course I had gloriously colored, fractured, blurrey edged dreams!). This morni...

"Salvador Doggie," 24" x 48", acrylics on panel, $1499 plua a&h to the first asking nicely. I accept paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Inquiries may come directly   to moi   - and thank you very much! A couple years ago, the kids and my hub got it in their heads that they wanted another dog, a little lap warmer. I wasn't so sure.  With a senior dog, two cats, a bunny, hamsters and a constant flow of kids at our house, I felt we already had enough going on. They ganged up for months, sending me links to Petfinder dogs with the saddest little faces, and I was the Mean Mom, saying nope. No. Nadda. It's not happening. And then, while walking into the pet store to get food for the three thousand animals we already were caring for, we ran into this little guy. There was an adoption event, and he was there, sitting on someone's lap. He locked eyes with The Princess, and then my hub, and he fell apart. It was like they w...

This is Blue, and he joined our family last last summer. This little guy owns me completely. We're not entirely certain of Blue's story, since he's a rescue, but he's found his forever home with us. It didn't take long after Blue moved into our home for him to make himself home on my easel, too. He's been painted numerous times, and will be painted numerous more, I dare say. Over the years I've discovered that there's so much more to painting a portrait than capturing a likeness. Truly wonderful portraits don't just fill a spot on the wall - they step into our hearts. When I add elements of emotion to a portrait, the piece elevates into a conversation between the subject and the viewer. It's as if the painting is alive, even if it's not painted photo representationally. Particularly if it's not, perhaps. Blue's portrait above is an example of the marriage of likeness and emotive content - it transcends either to be...

"The Dog Walker (Siren #75), 20" x 24", acrylics on panel, $849 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. I accept Paypal, Venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Inquiries may come   to me . I don't do cold (it is so wrong that I live in Michigan and don't do cold), but provided it is warm enough for the dogs, I make an exception to walk them. It might involve 6 layers underneath a lunch-lady length coat and thermal knee high boots (I definitely don't look as stylish as this girl!), but I get my butt outside and follow my dogs butts around the 'hood. A good walk behind a waggy tail clears one's head. Of course, such a walk is all the more marvelous when it doesn't take an hour to thaw out afterwards, but that's just my opinion. Thanks, as always, for following along with my art journey, Warmly, Kim

"Blue," 16" x 20", acrylics on panel, not for sale. Not even if you ask nicely. My family will burn me at the stake if I let this one go. When My Better Half works nights (like he is tonite), I play while the sun's up and work at the end of the day. It's a fun change to my normal routine. Today included a little day trip with one of my favorite peeps in one of our favorite places. It was a delight to enjoy each other's company while the rest of the world was at work. And tonight I had blocked time out to paint for a juried exhibit. My entry is due next week, and, true to form I waited until the nth hour. Because the next painting is always going to be the better one. Well, not always, but I do like to pretend. And I think tonite I might have played my cards well. Well, mostly I played my cards well. You see, I turned my back, and Blue - yes, sweet little adorable - ate half my pizza** while I was feeding Gertrude Stein. Gertie ...

Kimberly Kelly Santini   paintings with soul because our world needs more beauty   "Bailey and Charlie," 12" x 12" x 1/22", acrylics on museum quality cradeled panel, commissioned portrait and heading home soon. They no longer flood my various social media feeds, but I do still create one or two pet portraits each month. Because when all is said and done, there is nothing quite like delivering an original image that melds memories and emotions into the perfect summary of my clients' relationship with their special family members. Prices start at $399 for museum quality original paintings. I work from copyright free reference photos and your stories to create a treasured family keepsake. Turnaround is dependent upon my current workload, but averages several months (and can be much longer near the end of the year), so please plan accordingly. Inquiries may come directly   to me .

Tiny Fearlessly Steps into the Future Because He Lacks Reasoning Skills. His Bowl is Also Always Full of Kibble. 20" x 24", acrylics on panel, featuring a spunky daschund mix, $799 to the first asking nicely - inquiries may come  to me . Please and thank you. I wish I could be more like Tiny. Satisfied with kibble and chasing butterflies. I suppose starting by appreciating the simple things is a step in the right direction.

"Balancing Act," 24" x 9", acrylics on museum quality panel, featuring none other than Salvador Doggie practicing his mad balancing skills with a few holiday ornaments. This original painting is lush with drips and thick swaths of paint, and then there's those innocent eyes. Don't believe him, Santa, he's not that good...... "Balancing Act" can be yours for $549 + s&h - as always, inquiries may come to me . Thinking about balance today, what we believe we can do vs actual truth.  I am rabidly optimistic, and believe I can totally balance a cairn of ornaments on my head. While standing on one leg, too, no less. So why can't Sal? Thanks, as always, for following my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    PSST:  All remaining inventory from my Toys series of paintings (the little 6" square treasures) are now $50 plus s&h through December 10th, 2016. And yes, I will combine s&h on all order...

FINISHED! "Mari(gold)," 24" x 30", acrylics on panel, depicting a golden retriever puppy sprouting a crown of marigolds - the flowers represent the years of beauty and joy a puppy brings to one's life, as well as the fragility of our time with each other. Mari's portrait is $925 plus s&h. Inquiries may come to me . SOLD (TY) I would be remiss if I didn't properly thank Team Husar Photography for my photo reference. Knowing her love of goldens, I shared my concept of a Marigold Golden Retriever. She responded with a couple photos, of which Mari was based upon. I have the best, most supportive team behind me! Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"Salvador Doggie (Sal)," 24" x 48", acrylics, charcoal and ink on panel, featuring my newest muse, a rescued mixed breed. Details and in process pics are on Facebook , and I think the color there is far more representative of the painting. This piece is $1499, a total deal for the giant serving of joy it will bring, and that price includes shipping inside the US (I also ship worldwide for a small fee) - inquiries may always come  to me . Sal joined our family over the weekend. He came via a rescue organization and we know nothing about his past except that whoever it was who dumped him lost out big. He's a dear rat terrier mix with the brightest eyes and a wiggle butt who goes from 100mph to stop at the sign of a lap. Or a cookie. Didn't take him long to hit my easel, and I think his portrait sits as a great example of what I could do with your dog..... just think about it, then reach out if it's something you think you want to pursue! T...

"Brodie," image approximately 6" x 6" roughly centered on a 9" x 12" bristol board, acrylics, commissioned portrait of a golden retriever puppy.  Don't you adore that cowlick running straight up his face? ALSO: seats are still available in my Tulsa workshop which is May 4th and 5th. More information can be found here . Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Abby," image approximately 5" x 5-1/2" roughly centered on a 9" x 12" bristol board, acrylics, commissioned portrait of a Catahoula-mixed breed dog. Abby's painting was one of the limited number of painted sketches I accepted in February - I have a few left to do still. These works on paper are so much fun to do. And do you see that I squeezed in a couple violets (flowers) here?  Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Sweetie," 12" x 12", acrylics with pencil on canvasboard, depicting a sleepy bull terrier amidst a jumble of sweetheart roses. $529 (with complimentary s&h inside the US) to the first asking nicely . SOLD (thank you!) I'm going through older paintings and giving some of them a facelift with a floral overlay. This particular piece has multiple layers underneath, but I am totally enamored with the newest incarnation. He would make the best Mother's Day gift. Roses that never fade, and a face that's always ready to snuggle. And here's a bonus painting for today - another one that will make a great Mother's Day gift - and it's only $329! Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

Currently untitled, this in process piece features Nita, one of my favorite muses. It's a commissioned portrait of her playing in the snow, one of her favorite pasttimes (as you well know from this painting Snow Much Fun ). This piece is 18" x 24" on a cradeled panel and already has a home (thank you very much!). Please let me know if you would like something similar starring your own dog. I'm taking an online flower painting class, and the techniques we are using, with lots of drips and dribbles and direct blending, are absolutely perfect for the underpainting of Nita's newest portrait. The approach gives a lovely otherworldly glow and there's some fabulous texture here that will be beautiful when sanded down a little. I love my job, getting to create this sort of thing for my family of collectors! Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim

"Bodhi," 12" x 9", acrylics on copper panel, depicting the perfect gentleman in repose, $849. Paintings on copper are exquisitely different when seen in person, and Bodhi's is no exception. Exposed bits of the surface are an active part of the composition, changing in value and offering reflective luminescence as the light moves across the painting. In this case, the majority of the exposed copper is around Bodhi's face, giving his princely expression a little more pizazz. I wish you could see it in person!  All inquiries may  come to me . Bam. Badda Boom. Badda Boom. Signed this puppy (can't quite believe it came off my brushes!), and now I'm off to a friend's exhibition opening. Bring on the weekend! Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Warmly, Kim  

"Webster," 6" x 8", acrylics on museum quality panel, a commissioned portrait of a Yellow Lab. Webster's portrait has a home, thank you very much to my returning collectors. If you are thinking about a pet portrait as a holiday gift, now is the time to start a conversation. The process takes several weeks, and this is my busiest time of year - once I'm booked, I'm booked! I also do gift certificates if you would rather gift the whole commission experience and spare yourself sneaking around getting photos (or if I happen to be booked and cannot guarantee holiday delivery). But that's not going to happen if we  talk now  and get things started. It was homecoming weekend in Lake Orion. Or Hoco if you're young and hip. The Princesses first and The Caped Crusader's last. I spent lots of time with them and their friends, and very little time in the studio. One of those rare studio-free weekends, because soon the hol...

"Kit," 8" x 10", acrylics on museum quality panel, a commissioned pet portrait of a tri-colored long haired Chihuahua. Kit's painting has a home (thank you so very much!), however do not despair - I am now accepting a limited number of special projects like this one. Please send inquiries  to me .  I know, I know. I've been painting a lot of things other than dogs. And dogs are what the majority of you readers know me for and want to see. But here's the thing - I love painting them just as much as I did before, they just aren't getting to the easel as often. Because I want to learn better handling of lights and darks, and focus on manipulating edges - both things that aren't always possible when working from photos on a specific likeness. So yes, I'm mixing it up a bit. Working on the  100 Toys series and doing more totem paintings , spending a lot of time journaling and sketching and reading and thinking and...