Paintings With Soul

"The Ninth Life," 11" x 14", acrylics on museum quality panel, $499 plus s&h to the first one asking nicely. Inquiries can come to   me . Starring one of my current studio kitties Mona Lisa, but harkening to memories of Turtledove, the studio namesake, who passed away on Thanksgiving Day eleven years ago. There's something tender and precious about the delicacy of old age; the lines of a life well lived, battle scars and smile lines both. The surface of this painting bears those same sorts of marks, telling the story of a peaceful rest after a grand adventure. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork. Warmly, Kim

Languorous (daVinci).  12" x 16", acrylics on museum quality panel, portrait of studio muse and quality control manager, $549. Inquiries may always come to   me . So what does an artist do when they are still feeling a bit under the weather on Day 5? They show up. Because nobody else will finish varnishing paintings, respond to emails, update inventory archives, coordinate commissions, and work on grant proposals. And when it came time for me to choose a subject for today's painting, I opted for my kitty. Because today was a day to stick inside my comfort zone. And eat mashed potatoes.   There's no gift quite as wonderful as a custom pet portrait. I paint from your photos, resulting in a surprise to unwrap that's like no other. Now is the time to start discussing and planning any holiday gifts you would like to commission. Museum quality portraits start around $400, and are priced according to size and complexity. If you have a smaller budget,   reac...

Delusions of Grandeur 24" x 30", acrylics on panel, featuring a self important feline. I do have a collector interested, but should they choose to pass, Grandeur is $899 (includes s&h inside the US) to  the first asking nicely . SOLD (TY!) My whole body is sore. I've been painting and dancing at the easel since 10am. Painting can be quite a workout!

"Catnap," a portrait of studio kitty daVinci, 12" x 12", acrylics on panel. Available to the first daring to invite Vinnie into their home. He's been peeling wallpaper from the walls and taunts the crated puppy ridiculously. Although the painted version should behave far better. $200 will get you a cat. Inquiries to me , and thank you so much. And yes, I am still doing commissioned pet portraits, starting around $300 for a museum quality painting. A portrait is a fabulous way to honor our four legged family members. Reach out if this is something you are considering - I do a couple of them each month. Thanks for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

"Spots," 5" x 7", acrylics on museum quality panel, available for purchase to the  first asking nicely , $199 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much! Returning to my roots and painting a simple, backlit kitty. This was a means of reminding myself that I DO know how to paint. The last 10 paintings with the ribbons pushed me so far out of my comfort zone - which is a fantastic thing to do, because that's the only way I'm going to learn - but it's also exhausting. Thanks, as always, for supporting my dream, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"Midas," 24" x 30", acrylics on panel, available for purchase to the  first asking nicely , $899 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much! I should charge double for this one. Those ribbons took a damn eternity, so many repaints I lost count, and I'm freaking cross eyed from the stripes. BUT - here's the thing - I stuck through it, asked myself why things weren't working, found the answers through trial and error, and made it work. So yesterday's crappy paint day? No longer matters my friends! Thanks, as always, for supporting my dream, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

IN PROCESS: "Midas," 24" x 30", acrylics on panel, available for purchase to the  first asking nicely , $899 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much! This is daVinci, one of my studio kitties. And this painting is entirely HIS attitude - he thinks he's a Pretty Big Deal. So the ridiculous crown of gold ribbons and his stately, classic 3/4 profile are absolutely perfect. I had hoped to finish the piece today, but had a tough time finding my groove. Which happens - so, I'm going to be kind to myself and return tomorrow for another pass. It's only paint. And we can't always be on fleek. Well, maybe you can, but I can't! Thanks, as always, for supporting my dream, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"Turtledove's Bow," 9" x 12", acrylics on panel, featuring the studio namesake, Turtledove. Turtle loved any sort of neckwear, and during the holidays she sported all sorts of finery. This original painting can be yours for $99 + s&h - as always, inquiries may come to me . SOLD (thank you!) I miss this cat, especially at Christmas. She loved playing in the tree. Every morning, we would come down to find the beaded garland stripped from the tree, but not a single ornament out of place. I would watch her all day long, pretending I hadn't untangled and replaced the garland. And then, at some point while we were sleeping, she would quietly remove it, and drag it someplace to "kill." It's one of the many warm memories I have of this gentle, sweet kitty. 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"...

"Ewok," 10" x 12", acrylics on panel, $219 + s&h to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may come to me . I spent most of today sketching and working out some new ideas. I've found a rental space that will allow me to go bigger than I ever have before....... Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    Shop Reproductions Here

"Trouble," 24" x 20", acrylics, charcoal and ink on panel, featuring a a kitten crowned with spray roses, $599, with complimentary shipping inside the US. Inquiries may always come  to me . Some paintings exceed my expectations. This one takes my breath away. Whomever purchases him will get quite a treasure! Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    WORKSHOPS: "Color-iffic," Montague, Michigan (near Grand Rapids), September 8-9th, 2016. For further information or to enroll, please contact  Korrine Rodgers . "Color-iffic", 2 days, Crooked Tree Art Center, Traverse City, MI, October 8-9, 2016. Click here for further information or to enroll.

IN PROCESS: "Trouble," 24" x 20", acrylics, charcoal and ink on panel, featuring a a kitten crowned with spray roses. On top of just being ridiculously juicy with color, this piece comes with a healthy does of personality. The painting is $599, with complimentary shipping inside the US, and will go to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may always come  to me . Warm thanks to Beth at Amazing Petals for helping me put together the perfect bouquet for this painting (and she thought brides were high maintenance!). The yellow pods (I forget what they are called) and the stabby greenery (knife something or other) were delightful to paint. And the soft greens in the spray roses..... they make me very happy. I know this painting will do the same for a lucky collector, too. Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    WORKSHOPS: "Color-iffic," Montague, Michigan (near Grand Rapids), September 8-9th, ...

"Red Roses," 24" x 30", acrylics, charcoal and ink on panel, a portrait of my first studio muse, Miah, crowned with red spray roses. Hard to believe she's been gone 8 years now..... She would have owned this look in real life. "Red Roses" is $699 and will go to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may always come  to me . Also, I have started  "Briar Rose," inspired by the same bouquet of roses topping Miah's portrait. Gotta get some mileage out of these blooms before they are too faded and wilty. Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    WORKSHOPS: "Color-iffic," Montague, Michigan (near Grand Rapids), September 8-9th, 2016. For further information or to enroll, please contact  Korrine Rodgers . "Color-iffic", 2 days, Crooked Tree Art Center, Traverse City, MI, October 8-9, 2016. Click here for further information or to enroll.

"Hobbes," 18" x 24" x 1-1/2", acrylics, charcoal and ink on museum quality cradeled panel (painting wraps around the sides, so there is no need to frame), featuring an enormously tender and orange tabby kitten, crowned with daisies and baby's breath. Hobbes is allergen free, won't scratch your furniture or leave hairballs inside your favorite shoes, and he guaranteed to make you smile - $1499 will get him to your door (inside the US, but yes, I do ship worldwide) - inquiries may always come  to me . The world gets darker by the day. I believe some of my best floral paintings are coming from a desire to create beauty and paint hope. Hobbes is one of these pieces. We can't let the darkness win.  Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    WORKSHOPS: "Color-iffic," Montague, Michigan (near Grand Rapids), September 8-9th, 2016. For further information or to enroll, please contac...

"Mona Lisa's Garden," 10" x 20", acrylics on a museum quality panel, a portrait of Mo Bug (my studio kitty). This delightfully impressionistic garden painting can be yours for $399 (this is a bargain price, but it's also much looser and juicier and sketchlike, so I thought I'd price it accordingly) - let me know if I can wrap her up for you! There's several gardens growing in the studio ( Daisy and Posey ), and another one blooming outside. Life is good at Casa Santini. ALSO: come paint with me in Tulsa next week - May 4th and 5th. More information can be found here . Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Daisy," 10" x 16", acrylics on masonite with white charcoal details, depicting a tuxedo kitten peeking from behind an arrangement of daisies, $579 (with complimentary s&h inside the US) to the first asking nicely . I've pulled a number of paintings from my archives, and am dressing them up with florals. Daisy used to be Mum's Kitten , and I absolutely LOVE the depth and added interest the piece now has. Take a peek at the detail below - the painterly quality of the surface is mouthwatering. At least to me! Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Domino and Roses," 7-1/2" x 12", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a tender little b&w kitten perched among an arrangement of roses, $449 (with complimentary s&h inside the US) to the first asking nicely . I worked on my daughter's portrait today, starting to paint in the florals that will make up her crown (who am I fooling, it's a petal filled brain explosion). And then I pulled out this old painting , drawing roses in overtop. The drawing begged for paint and some more adjustments. And now, what was old, is new again. And would make a gorgeous Mother's Day gift for that kitty loving Mom. (I loved him before, but I love him even more after this upgrade!) Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

In process, "Toile Tabby (Mona Lisa)," 6-1/2" x 6", acrylics on copper panel, portrait of my ever willing studio muse and tabby cat, complete with her air of mystery. When finished, this piece will be $599 to the first asking nicely. As always, inquiries may come to me .  I don't often force myself to take time away from the studio, but did so this weekend. Sometimes one can benefit from shutting down - or trying to shut down - the incessant color mixing/painting/composing/problem solving that goes on in one's head.  In my case, I returned to the studio early this morning - 7am!! - eager get to the easel and a bit more clear headed and focused than I have been as of late. The break (including a massage, reading, knitting, baking, journaling and family time) was good for me. And here I am at 11pm, readying to call it a night. Because when inspiration calls, my brushes are compelled to get to work answering. Thanks for your interest in...

"Mona's Nest," 11" x 14", acrylics on museum panel, portrait of my studio muse Mona Lisa, $1259 to the first asking nicely. As always, inquiries may come to me .  Today didn't go as planned, but I tried to roll with it. Sometimes that's how things play out. What matters is that I didn't beat myself up, I worked with what I was given, and I made it to the easel long enough this afternoon to finish Mona. Thanks for your interest in my artwork and here's to a better day tomorrow, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

In process detail of "Mona's Nest," 11" x 14", acrylics on museum panel, portrait of my studio muse Mona Lisa, $1259 to the first asking nicely. As always, inquiries may come to me .  When my kids were little, we used to make huge piles of blankets and soft sweaters and snuggle in to read together. I knew they were upset or didn't feel well if they asked to make a nest. It was our first defense in making things right. I wish I could make a nest for everyone in the world who's hurting. There seems to be sadness and strife and terror and loss everywhere I look. I want to make a nest for each person who's heart aches, and tuck them in with a dog eared copy of Hug . Today I did the next best thing. I painted a nest, read my kids' well loved copy of Hug, and visualized comfort radiating out into the world. Thanks for your interest in my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Jingle," 5" x 11", acrylics on museum quality panel, inspired by studio kitty Mona Lisa, $349. This is a reworked painting , one from a couple years back, that needed a little more oomph. Today it got that, splashes of color and an added jingle bell. Do you want Jingle for yourself?  email me  then! Buy notecards, tote bags, cell phone cases, etc here. Hoping everyone had a wonderful weekend - tomorrow rings in a new month. I'm not ready for December! Thanks for your interest in my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com