Paintings With Soul

"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  

"Domino," 7-1/2" x 12," acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a tender black and white kitten. Domino can be yours (talk about a low maintenance cat!) for $449, and that includes s&h to your door (inside the US). Please inquire to me . Also, in process photos are here . It's Time to pARTy!! So Domino, this sweet little guy, I think will make an excellent muse for this month's pARTy. What's a pARTy? Well, it's when artists work from the same reference to create work showcasing their own unique style. Domino's pARTy reference came from the website Paint My Photo - a great spot to find a little (or a lot) of inspiration. I've included the direct link to the photo , but ask that anyone participating does join the group (it's free!) and adhere to their terms of service (essentially only using their photos to make non-digital art, and the non-digital piece is their request, not mine). If you are p...

Please paint ME a portrait "Tabby Profile," 5" x 7", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a brown tabby with a wonderful maze of stripes, private collection (THANK YOU!). This weekend was packed full of family time, and as such, I am really behind on email. I'm working my way through, though, and appreciate your patience while I field inquiries with the same care and attention you'll receive. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim

In Process, "Nestled," 30" x 30", acrylics on cradeled birch panel, four different larger than life views of a particularly troublesome kitten (daVinci). This painting is headed to ArtPrize (hopefully) where it will be available for $3,900 to the first one asking nicely. VIEW IN PROCESS PHOTOS Have you heard of ArtPrize ? After only a handful of years, it's become one of the largest art festivals in the world - I was fortunate enough to be an artist in 2012 and to spend a weekend visiting last year. It's pretty inspiring, to say the least. How does it work? Well, artists put together a proposal online. Their work is then matched with a participating venue. The venue hangs and coordinates all the display details, and the artwork is publically on view for the duration of the festival. Entries are juried by a board of curators/peers as well as eligible for popular vote awar...

"Into the Light," 10" square, acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting Mona Lisa snuggled into a sliver of light, $499 to the first one emailing . In process photos are here . Mona snuggled in deep and slept soundly on The Caped Crusader's lap last nite, and I knew the image would haunt me until I painted it. Some days you just have to go with the flow - when inspiration strikes, I juggle things about and make the most of it. Next up? After dinner I'm teaching a couple dozen kids how to draw their pets' faces. And tomorrow I paint the Valentine portrait. Thanks for following along with my artwork,  Kim  ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

AT TOP, "Rosie," below, "Abby," two 5"x7" commissioned kitty portraits I completed today. Each of them are in acrylics on museum quality panels, and both are headed to a new home next week. Want something like this for yourself? email me . I worked on these two simultaneously - there's plenty of in process images over on the studio FB page. Also, don't forget to send in your photos - you just might be gifted a Valentine's day portrait next week! Complete rules to below - please take a minute and make certain your submission follows the guidelines. It makes my decision making process so much easier. Thanks for following along with my artwork,  Kim  ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Above one of the Valentine Day entries - Zoey wants her portrait painted! Here's how it works: Send 2-3 clear, non-flash copyright free photos of your pet  to me via email , using the subj...

"Forty Five Lives," 9" x 12", portrait of five black kitties, done in acrylics on museum quality panel, available to the first collector asking nicely, $540 including s&h inside the US. Inquiries may come to me . When I saw the inspiration photo for this painting on Bernie Kazmarski's blog in early December, I couldn't resist asking if she'd let me paint it. Even though she is a artist herself and probably wanting to paint it herself. So I held my breath and crossed my fingers and toes and hoped hoped hoped she would just say yes. Which she did, and it was so fast that I hadn't even yet turned blue. I am so grateful to her for sharing the photo - and looking forward to seeing her interpretation as well! Thanks for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

"Mona Lisa," 8" x 11" (no that's not a typo!), acrylic on museum quality panel, depicting everyone's favorite muse. Act quickly, because I suspect that this Mona is going to find a home very easily. She's $489 and inquiries may always come  to moi . In process pics of her are  here  and yes, I do set up payment plans -  email me . SOLD For those who are new to my art, Mona Lisa is one of my studio muses. We adopted her two years ago - well, actually, she adopted us, given that she latched onto The Caped Crusader's sleeve when he had his back turned to her crate at the shelter. Mona has inspired many a painting ( here's just a few ), and taught me how to properly appreciate the beauty of the striped feline form.  She's also a fantastic snuggler when I settle down with a book. I hope you have a good snuggler yourself on this cold winter's evening, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Trouble Brewing, 6" x 12", acrylics on museum quality canvas, depicting the insanely cute tabby troublemaker daVinci, available to the first one asking "pretty please," $499, and those "pretty pleases" may come  to me . NOTE: This painting suffered damage recently, with one corner getting dented. This will not be visible if framed,however, I will discount the painting to reflect the damage to $299.   Yes, it's another daVinci painting. I'm distracting myself with cute kitten memories instead of fixating on the weatherproofing around the doors that he's eaten. And the screens pocked with holes. And the two strips of wallpaper he literally chewed from the wall right above the couch in the family room. But isn't he cute? (and don't worry, My Better Half adores this guy, so he's not going anywhere!)     Thanks so much for following along with my artwork!! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com ...