Paintings With Soul

I just went to send my (mailchimp) newsletter today, and I was surprised to see how many new subscribers I have - thank you so much for that!! I'll have to wait until Friday to send out my next note via them, as I'm currently over my plan's limit. Meanwhile, here's another equine painting from the archives. The colors here just ripple across the painting. It's a calm piece with a gentle presence. It's also cleated and wired on the back for a seamless look, or you may choose to frame it. "Present," 12" x 16", acrylics on a museum quality panel, $599 plus s&h direct to your door. I accept paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Please message me or comment below if you are interested - and thank you so much for following along with my art journey!!

At top, detail, below, the entire painting. "Stanchion," 24" x 36", acrylics and water media on gallery stretched canvas, $1599 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may come  to me . This is why I work and study with other artists - cross pollination and fresh takes on old ideas. "Stanchion" would never have happened without   Vianna Szabo's   color instruction,   Stanka Kordic's   introduction to intuitive painting,   Lynn Whipple's   enthusiasm for drippy paint,   Christina Haylett's   fearlessness,   Ardith Goodwin's  constant gentle nudging, and   Fonda Clark Haight's  mixed media processes. These artists do all the hard work defining their own styles and processes, and then are generous enough to share their enthusiasm with other painters. How lucky am I that I can bring them into my studio every single day! Thanks, as always, for supporting my art, Kim

Do not go gentle into that good night (title courtesy of Dylan Thomas).  14" x 18", acrylics on museum quality panel, $599 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may always come to   me . My recent work is resonating with so many - thank you for your notes and encouragement. Baring my soul in paint makes me feel vulnerable and terrified. It is so much safer (emotionally) to stick with pet portraiture. And yet I have much to share from my very core. I'm steadily working my way there.

The Spirit Within. 16" x 20" x 1/2", acrylics on gallery wrap canvas (painted around the sides, so no need to frame). Inquiries may come to me. I have been trying to get this sort of surface for YEARS now, and I've finally figured it out!! At one point today I got so frustrated that I walked away, only to return after mowing the lawn to find my desired effect had occurred - it just took some time to set itself up. The acrylic paint appears to be melted wax, marble.moves like watercolor, and scumbles like oil. Some of these effects occur simultaneously. I wish you could see it in person!

She Bows Her Head and Honors the Light in All of Us 24" x 30", acrylics on panel, featuring a draft mare cloaked in all the color of the world. $899 to the first asking nicely - inquiries may come  to me . Please and thank you. "The light in me honors the light in you." Regardless of the color of your skin, the religion you practice, your sexual/gender orientation, and so many other factors. Always.

"Present," 12" x 19", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a solid and gentle giant draft horse. He's walking away from the viewer, but his ear is rotated, and he's paying careful attention. This original painting will be a stunning focal point where ever it gets hung.. It is $600 with complimentary shipping inside the US.  Can I ship it to your home? let me know . Allowing the paint to drip, run and bleed (like I did in the bottom half of the painting) gives a spontaneous quality to the composition. Just one of the many ideas that I'm working on collectively - it's like a bomb has gone off in the studio, with all the drawings, sketchbooks, panels and stretched canvases piled about. Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

Three views of the same painting, lit from the left, the center and the right. "Neptune," 9" x 12", acrylics on copper panel, depicting a dark bay pony. This portrait is $849, with complimentary shipping inside the US.  Let me know if you want Neptune in your home and we will make it happen! It's difficult to photograph copper so that you get a proper sense of the light and reflective quality. I'm figuring things out here, though, so that I can best show these paintings off. I am also working on getting back into the groove after a period of not feeling well and some downright ugly starts on other pieces. With Neptune I think I might be scratching and clawing my way back. Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

FINISHED! "Stepping Out," 14" x 18", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a black Gypsy Vanner horse. I couldn't be happier with this piece - the color and movement and edge treatment fills me with joy. This is a special piece, I think one of my best to date, and, as such, it needs a special home.  Let me know if you think that's yours. $1299 includes complimentary shipping inside the US. This fills me with happiness - celebrating the things I love by making beauty. Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

In process, "Stepping Out," 14" x 18", acrylics on museum quality panel, painting of a black Gypsy Vanner horse. I am trying out a couple new-to-me things with this panel, and so far I am very much in love with it, although the outer legs still need some shifting/adjusting. My intention is for this to be a color-blasted dark horse on a lovely harmonious ground - it'll be all about contrast, unexpected color and movement. If you are interested in purchasing this piece when finished, please let me know so I can send you an update and detail shots when it is finished. I don't want to jinx us by bragging that no one is home sick in bed any longer, so I won't mention it. Hope nobody is sick in your household, too. This year's flu is a nasty houseguest indeed. It sure is nice to be upright and pushing paint again! Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"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

Painted overtop a bad painting (yes, I have lots of them!), "Welcome (Kari and Delta)," 6" x 8", acrylics on panel, depicting a Freelands Gypsy Vanner broodmare with her fresh little filly born last week. Painting was created with the permission of the farm's management from l ive footage  (yes, this is an actual foal being born, so if you are not ready to witness the UNCENSORED miracle of birth, it's simple - don't click on the link!). This piece is available for $329, including s&h within the US. Inquires may come directly to me . Thanks so much in advance! #YourTurnChallenge, #DayThree We are rolling along into our #YourTurnChallenge week. (#YourTurnChallenge is a  Seth Godin  inspired weeklong blog commitment - learn more here ). Today the challenge is to address what can be improved. But as a recovering OCD Perfectionist, I don't think my list can be edited to merely one blog post. So I'm going ...

  "Skye," 6" x 8", portrait of a Gypsy Vanner (one of my favorite breeds), done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, $329. Inquiries may come via  email to me . And thank you!       Don't forget about my horse-themed auction - 8 original paintings will all have new homes come 9pm EST Wednesday, May 1st. Will one of them head to your place?   Bid here . And thank you yet again!   Thanks for following along, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com