Paintings With Soul

"The First Saturday in May," 36" x 14", the official artwork for the 2015 Kentucky Derby, acrylic on museum quality panel, in a private collection. You can see a short video about the creation of this painting   here . I was offered this job in June 2014. Clare Jett, owner of JettStream Publishing, the licensing agency responsible for the Derby artwork, googled "horse racing art" and found my work. She traced it back to my blog, found my phone number, and cold called. That's the actual truth. Also, she told me I was the coolest headed artist she had ever offered the project to. And that's because, when she first contacted me, I thought she was a prank phone call. There was no way I was gonna give the prankster anything to hang over my head. But after we hung up and I realized it was legit, there may have been some jumping about, jazz hands and screaming. Thanks so much for following along with my art journey, Please stay w...

David+Austin, 36" x 48", acrylics on panel, $3925 with free shipping, available through   UGallery .  It's Derby Week!! In the past, as the days before The Kentucky Derby approached, I would busy myself with daily paintings of race horses and equines. However, in 2015, my Derby Week experience was the penultimate dream - I spent it in Louisville, being feted as the Official Artist of the Kentucky Derby. The entire year was a marvelous opportunity, from the out-of-the-blue phone call offering me the project, to months of research and painting surreptitiously, to the reveal party at Churchill the November prior, then a presentation at the Kentucky Derby Museum during their birthday gala in April, and finally experiencing Derby Week first hand as a special guest. I will always be grateful to the powers that be for delivering the best project at the best moment in my life - Clare and Pat, you have special spots in my heart. Here's the link to a photo essay of my j...

"The Winner's Circle, American Pharoah," 24-3/4" x 24", depicting Triple Crown champion American Pharoah (after winning the 2015 Kentucky Derby). This was my view on Derby day, painted from iPhone photos I took from our seats at the finish line. I still can't believe it happened - that I was the Kentucky Derby artist - and that we have a new Triple Crown winner to boot!.  This painting is acrylics and mixed media on a museum quality panel. It is available for $2980 (including s&h within the US). I am happy to discuss payment plans - inquiries may always come  to me.   Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Champion (Inspired by American Pharoah)," 6" x 8", acrylics on museum quality panel, inspired by none other than the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont, Haskell and Breeder's Cup winner American Pharoah. $329 includes shipping and handling to a US address, going home with the first one asking nicely. SOLD. And if you are so inclined to add a bit more of The Sport of Kings to your life, this link will take you to cell phone cases, shower curtains, tshirts and other products. Fans of my work will remember that about this time last year, I was FINALLY able to share the honor of being chosen as the 2015 Kentucky Derby artist  (the painting was created in secret last summer-fall).  It was such a crazy thing to be offered the job, out of the blue - a perfect validation of the years spent creating and my horseless-yet-horse-crazy-racehorse-studded childhood. Had anyone told me that 2015 would also be the year of a Triple Crown winner , ...

We've watched the Kentucky Derby for years. And for many of us, attending The Kentucky Derby is a bucket list item. I knew one day I'd make it to the grounds of Churchill Downs, but never thought it would be on Derby Day as a special guest in my capacity as The Official Artist of The Kentucky Derby.   So it goes to reason that watching from our seats at the finish line was pretty emotional.  I grew up painting, of course, but I also grew up watching horse racing with my Grandfather. The best part of the springtime classics was comparing notes and debating our picks (and scouring newspapers for grainy photos of horses in training to sketch). He always chose the Arkansas Derby winner, and I went for the underdog, the gray, or the filly. And there was always art inspired by the pagentry. After Grandpa passed away in 2010 navigating Derby Week felt hollow. But this year, things were different. I wasn't just another horse racin...

"On the Turf I," 6" x 8", acrylics on museum quality panel, starring a chestnut Thoroughbred race horse and jockey in full stride. This piece is $329 (which includes s&h inside the US). Inquiries may always  come to me , and thank you so much.  Running with an idea. Last week I got the idea to paint individual running horses on small panels. Things got a little crazier when that idea grew into a double diptych, "Tail Lights ." And yet I still very much wanted to paint these little guys at an individual level. And so I have!  Above is the first of a new series** where I will study propulsion and power and balance inside the horses' stride. I am wasting no time in getting going here - my second piece,  "On the Turf II" is nearly completed, and later this afternoon I will start "On the Dirt." (**Working in a series is a fantastic way to fully explore an idea. It gives the artist multiple op...

"Saratoga, August," 9" x 12", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting three campaigners getting hosed down on their return to the barns after racing. How I LOVE to stand along the rail and watch the rainbows from the mist as the horses walk by, glistening wet and reflecting all sorts of color themselves. This piece is $549 (which includes s&h inside the US). In process images are here  and inquiries may  come to me .  Horse Racing is On My Mind..... Next week I head east for my annual trek to the magical town of Saratoga Springs, New York. This year three other artists will be journeying in the same direction (from Tennessee, Connecticut, and New York). We all will convene around the kitchen table Thursday evening with ice cream spoons and wine glasses. Friday morning it'll be to the track for early morning workouts, then into town for coffee and pastries at Mrs Londons , then perhaps a trip out to Old Friends (a Thoroughbred r...

"The Twin Spires (Churchill Downs)," 10" square, depicting the famed roofline of Churchill Downs as I saw it in the early morning sunrise during my visit in April. This painting is available for purchase only (no reproductions or other items will be made of it) - $499 gets it to your door. Inquiries may always come my way , and in process photos are  here. The Story Behind This Painting Well, there's two of them, really.   First one:  JettStream Productions (the Official Licensee/Art of the Kentucky Derby) was taken with the colors and style of my June desktop calendar , and asked if I would paint the Town Spires for a "Thank You " card. There was a little arm twisting involved. Ok, I lie.   Second one: When The Princess and I visited Kentucky in April, it was her spring break. And I made her get out of bed at an ungodly hour to teenagers just to see morning workouts at Churchill Downs (NOTE: She is not a horse crazy kid, e...

IN PROCESS: "The Winner's Circle, American Pharoah," 24-3/4" x 24", depicting Triple Crown champion American Pharoah (after winning the Kentucky Derby) on his way to the winner's circle at Churchill Downs. This was my spectacular view on Derby day, painted from iPhone photos I snapped. This painting is acrylics on a museum quality panel and is available for $2980 (including s&h within the US) to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may always come  to me.  In process photos are  here. Unbelievable! Did you see it? The Belmont Stakes ?   And can you guess that I cried huge silent elephant tears when, at the top of the stretch, American Pharoah started pulling away? (if you also guessed that my children ridiculed me, you should earn a special prize!) I couldn't believe it - I was too young to clearly remember Affirmed, the last Triple Crown winner. And honestly, there had been a flurry of champions taking this honor in m...

IN PROCESS: "The Winner's Circle, American Pharoah," 24-3/4" x 24", depicting Triple Crown candidate American Pharoah after winning the Kentucky Derby, on his way to the winner's circle at Churchill Downs. This was my view on Derby day, painted  using my iPhone photos. This painting is acrylics on a museum quality panel and  is available for $2980 (including s&h within the US) to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may always come to me . In process photos are here . An Ambitious Undertaking I can't help but wonder if American Pharoah will be the next Triple Crown winner. And while my Kentucky Derby experience couldn't be more perfect, seeing a Triple Crown winner in the flesh just might make it perfecter after the fact. So I'm savoring and enjoying that possibility this week - quite a bit! This is a BIG painting - big in size and in ambition. So many complex areas - the spectators, the horses, the infield, ...

American Pharoah Won the Derby !!! I snapped the above iPhone photo from our seats near the finish line at Churchill Downs, as American Pharoah was making his way to the winner's circle.  Yeah, I did just say that. Our seats. At the finish line.  Here's some other way amazing things I got to do while in Kentucky:   Hang at Keeneland Race Track for morning workouts with some friends, after which we enjoyed breakfast afterwards at the track kitchen. Take in the artwork at Cross Gate Gallery in Lexington. Sip wine on the banks of the Ohio River. Get pink and freckled (yes, I had sunscreen on!). Practiced yoga in the dappled light of a glorious tree drenched in a Kentucky sunrise each morning. Signed about a gajillion posters, tickets, programs and tote bags for the kindest people. Made some new-to-me friends that feel as though I've known them my whole life. Ate the most exquisite meals - I kid you not - they were cray cray! ...

I got to try out my new camera in Kentucky, and got quite a few beautiful shots of the light and the horses while visiting Keeneland and Churchill Downs (pictured above, in the early morning). Highlights From Our Roadtrip: Dietsch's chocolates Seeing the first peeks of green as we drove south Dumplins Meeting a friend over coffee and tea after morning workouts in the track kitchen at Keeneland Southern hospitality Watching races from an owner's box on the finish line at Keeneland Limestone cliffs and cascading groundwater in the setting sun Honey crusted salmon from Bluegrass Brewing Company (their porter wasn't half bad either!) Churchill Downs at sunrise (see above!) Reconnecting with the same smiling faces from the Derby artwork reveal in November Getting teary when honored with a distinctive Kentucky Derby Museum Membership Sharing the painting process of "The First Saturday in May"   (the 2015 Kentucky Derby painting) with...

Detail of an in process painting, working title "The 9th Race, On the Turf," 8-1/2" x 24", acrylics on Ampersand gessobord, featuring a field of horses crossing the finish line. Available for $1199, inquiries may come to me . My head is still at the track, and clearly not paying attention to the snowfall outside, thinking of sunshiney days and bright green grass. And that First Saturday in May. I'm sure by now you've heard the news that I'm the 2015 Kentucky Derby Artist . I'm still processing what that means, and today I allowed myself to think of nothing but Thoroughbreds, sunshine, and spring like weather. In process photos are on Facebook - feel free to join in the conversation over there! Thanks for following along with my artwork, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Remember The Big Secret Painting From This Summer? It was the artwork for this coming year's Kentucky Derby. You can see my finished painting here , order a signed poster here , and read the official press release here . Saying this is an honor is an understatement. It is more tremendous than anything I ever could have imagined. And I would not ever have even been a candidate were it not for the love and support of an incredible network of friends and family. I've had a fan club from the very beginning and mentors who were always generous with ideas and inspiration. Add in a little old fashioned elbow grease, and something marvelous was bound to happen eventually. I still can't believe I'm going to The Kentucky Derby! As the artist! Pinch me!  Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

"Anyone's Race," 7" x 12", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a field of Thoroughbreds two strides into a race. This painting is available through Spa Fine Art (in Saratoga Springs New York) for $529 to the first one asking nicely. Spa also carries a large selection of other racing scenes. Please contact them for more information. To implement this month's desktop calendar, download the file directly from my website . I am by no means an expert on the variety of operating systems, so I highly recommend that if you don't know how to change your desktop wallpaper, don't email me for advice! Instead consult your computer's help files - they will be more concise, more knowledgeable and more responsive than I could ever hope to be. Thanks as always for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com 

    It's nearly time for my annual pilgrimage to Saratoga Springs, New York!   And for those of you who also visit the track to pay your dues, plan to stop by  Spa Fine Art  and say hello on Saturday, July 27th.   Last year I was able to complete  a large racing scene during the course of the day. I'm attempting the same again this year! Paint starts flying at 2pm, and I'll be there through close.   Stopping to heckle will also give good reason for you to visit  Mrs. Londons  and bring me something yummy to keep my strength up.   Thanks for following along with my paintings! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

    IN PROCESS:  "Collected," from "The Saratoga Series," 12" x 24", acrylic on museum quality panel, inspired from photos I shot in the early morning on the back side of Saratoga Race Track, $749. Inquiries may come  to me.   In process pics are  on Facebook , along with title suggestions - I'm not yet entirely sold on "Collected."  I'm also considering "Back Sides."  I'm open to your suggestions, too. I'm going to paint more tonite after dinner and will update with photos as the piece progresses.   I've been painting Saratoga scenes for four years now. I don't think I will ever tire of the track.    Or of painting it.   I suppose this is the closest I'll get to owning a horse. I have an entire stable of them, in paint!!   Thanks for supporting my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Play Ball Prints Available   Click on the image belo...

  "Slop," 7" x 15", depicting a field of Thoroughbred race horses nearing the first turn at Saratoga Race Track, done in acrylics on museum quality panel, $529 to the first asking nicely . Please works well.     In process pics are on  the studio facebook page.   I literally stood in the pouring rain to get this reference photo. I was seriously waterlogged, no exaggeration. We're talking plastered hair, damp undergarments and puddles INSIDE my shoes. And while I am disappointed that the painting does not convey exactly HOW wet the conditions were, I do find other redeeming qualities in the piece.   "Slop" is headed to  Spa Fine Art , my gallery in Saratoga, New York, as part of the track's impressive 150th birthday celebration this summer.   Unless you need this painting on your wall Right Now. In which case,  email me  and I'll make that happen.   Thanks as always for following along with...