Paintings With Soul

"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  

"Ball Hog (Harley)," 9" x 12," acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a very lucky mixed breed dog. This painting has a home, but I could possibly create something similar starring your dog, so  please inquire .  A Surprise A's family had been hounding her for a dog for a very, very long time. And I bet you can tell already where this story is going - she resisted, also for a very, very long time. And then this Momma dog was rescued - she had a litter of brand new pups under a mattress in Detroit, during one of the coldest winters we've known. And this Momma dog and her puppies ended up in foster care with one of A's friends. You know where this is going right? It goes without saying - one of the puppies won over A's heart, and that of her family, too. Meet Harley. A lucky girl to have had her life turned around from an unlikely and frozen beginning. She spent last week vacationing with A's fami...

"Getting Cozy," 8" x 10", acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting Dugger, our 2014 Valentine's Day winner! This portrait will be shipped to his family early next week. In process photos are here , and you can see how tough a choice I had to make here . Extra special warm thanks to everyone who helped make this year's contest so much fun. I wish I could have painted more than one image.... Hoping your day has been sprinkled with love! Thanks for following along with my artwork,  Kim  ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

There is fresh snow on the ground from last night, yet it's been raining all day - not your typical late January Michigan weather. Although I suppose nothing is quite typical of Michigan weather anyway.  It IS good napping in a warm spot weather, though! To implement this month's desktop calendar, simply download the file  directly from my website . I've set up a couple different ways to do this, either via the photo album or a direct link. 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.  I've sized this to fit a standard screen height of 768 - I realize there are lots of variables that could impact how the file displays on your screen. Let me know if,...

"Greta," 8" square, commissioned portrait of a mixed breed dog, acrylics on a museum quality panel, private collection (THANK YOU!). Greta's blessed her family with 18 years of love and companionship - she was well due her time on the easel. In-process photos of her portrait are available on  the studio Facebook page . There's lots more paintings where Greta came from - just  shoot me an emal  and we can plan your own portrait. I'm currently booking for 2013 (think Valentine's Day.....) and can deliver a gift certificate well in time for the holidays. Fondly, Kim, who is off to mail five holiday gift paintings to their new homes ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

"The Circle," 15" x 18," a commissioned portrait of four family members, done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, headed to a private collection (THANK YOU!). Inquiries may come  to me.   In process photos, many of them, are on  the studio's Facebook page  - be sure to scroll back, because I've been working on this one since last week.     This weekend I wrapped myself in family and gave thanks for my Grandparents. The perfect prescription for healing.   This morning all three kids got off to school - although The Caped Crusader slept in and joined his classmates a little later in the day. Which means I got in a couple of uninterrupted hours at the easel and started a ginormous pot of ham soup simmering, and that was an excellent prescription as well.   Fondly, Kim, who's looking at her calendar and realizing there's not much more room for holiday commissions - you'de better  speak up now  or...

      "Gettin' Jiggy"," 11" x 16", portrait of a mixed breed dog playing in shallow waters, done in acrylic on museum quality panel, $609 to the first one  asking nicely . Check out the detail of Jiggy's face below!!   This was my assignment - to create a painting using only color temperature - not value differences - to define depth of field. I started the piece yesterday - posted an in-process image to  my blog , and multiple jpgs to  the studio Facebook page .   It was absurdly difficult, and I know I can get better at this, but in the meanwhile, can you see me doing cartwheels?   Kim, who enjoys celebrating little victories ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com      

  NOT QUITE YET FINISHED - "Vintage," 11" x 14", done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, created using a photo from my personal stash, not currently for sale. However, inquiries may come  to me .      I was sifting through photos this morning when I came across an old favorite of my daughter with a friend's dog. Dear Ruby has been gone for many years but her memory remains strong, and not just in this household.   I reached a stopping point for the moment (gotta get dinner going), but you can view in process images of "Vintage" on  my studio Facebook page .   But my next step will involve redrawing the chair, correcting proportions, getting Ruby's weight properly situated on her butt, and laying down more glazes that will create a stronger sense of space.   I'm not going for an exact likeness - I want to tell a story. A story about two ladies, each weathering the indigities of age with grace and calm.    And I've go...

    "Bacchus," 5" x 7", commissioned portrait of a wonderful hound, done in Golden Open Acrylics on ampersand gessobord.   Bacchus and his brother Jell-O (who you'll get to meet tomorrow) were on my easel yesterday (sometimes I am on the ball enough to paint a few pieces ahead!!).    I worked on the two paintings simultaneously, which assured similarities in color and mood so that the paintings, while starring two very different faces, would work well together.   In Process pics are on  the studio Facebook page  inside the Mobile Uploads folder .   Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my paintings with your friends and family, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com         In Process   Every other day or so, I've begun updating the studio's Facebook page with in process images of paintings on my easel.   The photos are shot with my smartphone at various points of progression throughout the...

WHOOPS! Posted to the newsgroup yesterday, but neglected to follow through after dinner and post to the blog. My apologies!! "Princess Cassandra of the Marigolds (also in Charge of Sweet Potatoes and Petunias)," 4" x 6", mixed breed dog portrait, acrylic on canvasboard, $199 (I'm waiting to hear back - this one might already be sold - but I'll start a waiting list). Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . This painting, while small in size, carries the longest title of any Dog-a-Day piece to date. That's really her name. But you can call her "Cassie" for short. I especially love how the painting fades "into" her face - it reminds me of the way a form begins to take shape from a lump of clay. This part was entirely accidental - but a wonderful accident (that's my point of view, at least!). I've been debating the merits of taking some time off next week. I'd love to linger in the grocery (well, honestly, it...

"Spike," 4" x 8", commissioned mixed breed dog portrait, acrylic on board, private collection (THANK YOU!). Inquiries, including how you go about booking your own Dog-a-Day portrait, may come to me at ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . The studio newsletter went out today via email. Typically I also publish the newsletter on my website, but being as the website is STILL down (not my fault - domain hosts are holding it up), that's not an option this time around. If you did not receive the newsletter and would like to, please email me and I'll forward this one and get you added to that distribution list. Thanks, as always, for your time in looking and and sharing these paintings with your friends and family. See you tomorrow, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com http://www.paintingadogaday.com/ PS I know I sound like a broken record, but please, if you are interested in ordering a copy of my book Painting a Dog a Day - the First Year, send me an email so that I c...

"Dakota (Beagle Study)," 6" x 8", beagle pet portrait , acrylic on board, private collection (THANK YOU!). Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Beagles always look like puppies to me, with their doe eyes, long ears, and expressive faces. Dakota also carries a little bit of worldliness about her, and that combination is very appealing. Dakota is a rescue with an unknown past that involved cruelty (perhaps those sorts of details are best left unknown). After 12 years of love and care, she's gained self-confidance and turned into a sweetheart. Proceeds from the sale of Dakota's portrait will go to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah ( http://www.bestfriends.org/ ). Thanks, as always, for your time in looking at and sharing my paintings and the dog's stories with your family and friends. And thank you, also, for your support and condolances about Miah. You have no idea how much they help. Talk to you tomorrow, Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://ww...

"Tickhound," 5" x 7", tick hound mixed breed painting, featuring a dog from the Oakland Pet Adoption Center, acrylic on board, $149 to the first buyer. $28 from the sale of this painting will go to the Oakland Pet Fund ( http://www.oaklandpetfund.org/ ) in support of their efforts to make Oakland County a no-more-homeless-pets community by 2010. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. The markings on this dog were extraordinary. A tri colored mask, followed up with a body full of ticking and freckled feet the size of saucers. I would have loved to watch this dog at liberty, following the trail of a scent, ears flapping along the ground, tail flagging everyone behind to come follow. "Come on! Look what I've found!!" FROM TOP: "Creed I", 4" x 5", mixed breed (lab and pit bull?) dog portrait, featuring a dog from the Oakland Pet Adoption Center, acrylic on board, $115 to the first buyer; "Creed II," 4" x 8...

ABOVE, FROM TOP: "Remembering Puddles," 5" x 7", SOLD , and "Yum IV (Puddles)," 4" x 5", $ 114. Both portraits depict a very loved beagle/hound mix. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . I had a busy day Monday. Spent the morning in the studio, actively painting and getting substantial work done on a number of pieces. In the afternoon I taped a segment for a cable show in my area called "Lunch at CJs." I showed a number of recent paintings and talked about the Painting a Dog a Day project - it was a great time! I will share a link to the digital broadcast when the editing has been completed and the show is scheduled to air - stay tuned! Raced home from that to get dinner going and the kids off to music lessons. My oldest then got shuttled to soccer practice, and the remaining Santini's settled around the kitchen table for the Checkers Championship of the Universe. I was narrowly defeated in the final match by a c...

"Rhodesian Gaze (Ridgeback Study)," 6" x 8", dog painting in acrylic on board, $199 to the first buyer. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . This piece is almost like an abstract painting, being focused so tightly on the planes of the face. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very statuesque in that their skin lies relatively close to the skull, which is something I had to continually remind myself as I became engrossed in the markings. I used my brushwork not to mirror the markings, but to follow the bone structure. It is especially effective when the paint layers are wet, and can be smooshed (for lack of a more technical term) into each other. And I indulged myself with color on this one. Close inspection will reveal pretty much every imaginable color in here somewhere - daubs and layered hash marks abound. On another note, I shipped my paintings off this morning for the Grand National Rodeo Celebration of Western Art Show & Sale (say that 5 times rea...

"Hound Mix," 4" x 8", beagle and hound mixed breed dog painting , acrylic on canvasboard, $135 to the first buyer. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . This painting is from a little bit ago, I just never got the opportunity to share. I love the sweetness of this little guy's expression - he's so full of joy, which you can just tell from the life in his eyes. The energetic brushwork goes along with the impression, and the colors have a nice harmony about them. Today is a crazy day. The kids are all off school AGAIN, this time around because it was too cold and the buses wouldn't start (I would have gladly delivered several vanloads of children right to the schools' front doors, but guess noone thought to ask me). I think this is snow day #5 in the last 2-1/2 weeks. Finnigan (my dog) is jumping out of his skin, it's been too cold for him to spend much time outside and he really needs a good run. This last week it's been so nasty, he ...

"Corgi Butt," 6" square, corgi pet portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, $135 to the first buyer. Inquiries may always come to me at ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. Who says a portrait has to be of the animals' face?! There are layers of glaze and very loose brushwork in this painting. It reads so nicely in person, the juicy surface just saturated with gestural marks and harmonious grays. I was reading yesterday about how one correct brush stroke can relay far more information than the most carefully rendered (ie invisible) blending. This painting is my take on that concept. Thanks, as always, for looking. And for forwarding these paintings to your friends and family. See you Monday, Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings http://www.paintingadogaday.com/ come. sit. stay. enjoy the art. Founding member of the Canine Art Guild http://www.canineartguild.com/ the gateway to canine art on the ...

"Say What?! (Ruger)," 6" x 8", hound portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, from August 10th, 2007, $120. Proceeds from the sale of Ruger's portrait will benefit Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah. SOLD. Were you able to watch the first episode of Dog Town on the National Geographic channel? If you did, you saw Ruger's story. I painted Ruger last summer, and just like the hound himself, inexplicably this painting finds itself looking for a home. In light of his new reality tv stardom, I thought I would showcase Ruger's painting again. Inquiries may come to me at ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . I enjoyed watching Dog Town, and I'm not one to sit and watch TV. It was great seeing the faces of the people who make such a difference in the lives of these animals. And what a surprise to see Ruger among the mix of dogs they profiled - like coming across an old friend! You can learn more about Best Friends Animal Sanctuary at http://www.bestfriends.org/ ....

This is Tina, several portraits of her. The more traditional one featuring her face. "Tina," 4x5, commissioned chow pet portrait, acrylic on canvasboard, private collection. And a still life comprised of her dog tags strung together from that now familiar nail in my studio wall. "Tina's Tags," 4x8, still life composition built of dog tags and licenses, acrylic on canvasboard, private collection. My client contacted me mid-summer about painting a traditional portrait of Tina shortly after having to say goodbye to her dear girl. The earliest I could schedule Tina was this week, which happened to be that of her 12th birthday. Karma at work. The dog tags came along several months after the portrait was scheduled, shortly after I announced my intention to paint canine related still lives. I held the tags in my hand, and knew there were two portraits to paint. I need to send a special thank you and hugs to my client, who despite expecting just the one painting, has em...

Today you get two wonderful little pet portraits . I'll let them speak for themselves. "Sadie," 5x7, commissioned corgi pet portrait in acrylic on canvasboard. "Derby," 6x8, commissioned grayhound pet portrait in acrylic on canvasboard. Both of these pieces are destined as holiday gifts, and are going to a long time dog-a-day reader who has become a good friend (thank you, on both counts!). Yes, it might seem odd to be painting holiday gifts already, but I've been booked for the year's end since July. I even went back and double booked, and based on the interest, could have triple booked. Except that wouldn't have allowed any time for sleep, and I sorta need at least a little bit of that. So, in the days to come, you may be getting one painting. Or you might get two. Some have to be kept secret, so I cannot post them all. But trust me - I will be VERY busy here in the studio. Good thing the holiday season gets rung in these days with Halloween choco...