Paintings With Soul

"Brindles & Stripes," 6" x 12", acrylic on canvasboard, depicting a mixed breed dog and her girl, $359. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . I am a huge fan of Karin Jurick's work , and her imagery has ruled my subconscious lately. She often paints subjects with their back to the viewer, absorbed in their own pursuits, delicately lit, all handled in a painterly fashion. Today this preoccupation led me to tackle some of my "leashed" references. The combined brindling of the dog and the striped dress were challenging. The dog was especially demanding, I kept getting her coloring correct, but lost her shape. At one point I actually sketched her skeleton overtop everything in order to pull her form back. The accident that worked very well in this painting was "discovering" the water's edge in my toned background, and adding the ripples to the pond. Another set of stripes, building a triad, further anchoring the composition. My v...

WHOOPS!! I forgot to post on Friday to the blog, although I did send this out to the newsgroup. My apologies!! "Little Miss Willa," 6" x 8", commissioned mixed breed dog portrait , acrylic on canvasboard, private collection (THANK YOU!). Willa's face seemed the perfect lead in for a weekend. Curiousity, desire, and eagerness, all rolled up into a neat little package. I cannot believe May is over with. Next week will be June's Animal Welfare Week, and I'll be painting service dogs from Paws With a Cause ( http://www.pawswithacause.org/ ). Proceeds from the sale of next week's paintings will be donated to Paws With a Cause. Thanks, as always, for sharing these paintings with your friends and family. I'll see you next week, Take care, 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 h...

FROM TOP: "Silas on the Beach II," 12" square, and Silas on the Beach I," 8" square, mixed breed commissioned pet portrait , acrylic on canvas. Silas on the Beach II is headed home to Silas's family, and the other will be sent to an exhibition later this summer. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Silas was fondly called a "son of a New Mexican ditch dog" since his mother was found, starving, in a highway ditch. He grew into a gorgeous and wonderful companion, one who continues to be missed dearly by his family. Earlier this week I returned to the Detroit Institute of Arts to have a second peek at their exhibition of Ashcan School artists. Those interested can read a little more about the Ashcan movement and the Group of Eight at http://www.huntfor.com/arthistory/C20th/ashcanschool.htm . I was completely blown away by the paintings and drawings, even more so the second time through: the confidant brushwork, the simple composit...

"Lucy Brown," 8" square, commissioned dog portrait of a terrier mix, acrylic on board, private collection (THANK YOU!). Inquiries and comments can come via email at ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Lucy Brown is a one year old little stray with a tremendous appetite. In her new home in just a short window of time she's eaten two lawnchairs, the hallway baseboards, and an upholstered armchair. Not for lack of real food, as she regularly cleans out the cats' food dish along with her own. After she's done something wrong (ie, eaten something she should not have!), she just sits and grins, very pleased with herself, no doubt. I wonder what tricks she'll pick up during obedience training!! Thanks to everyone who stopped at my booth (aka kite!) at the Flower Fair this past weekend, despite the crazy weather. I had a good time meeting each of you and sharing stories. Welcome to the dog a day family, and thanks for signing up to follow along with my daily pain...

"Thomas the Terrier," 6" x 12", mixed breed dog portrait , acrylic on canvasboard, private collection (THANK YOU!). Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Something about terriers - they are so very full of life. Thomas's fur just crackles with electricity. The complimentary colors add to that effect. Tomorrow there will be no dog-a-day painting, as I'll be prepping and packing up for the Lake Orion Flower Fair. If you are going to be in the area, please stop by and say hello. My booth will be just south of the Broadway and Flint Street intersection, on Broadway near the Sagebrush Cantina. In my tent I'll have original gallery stretched canvases, paintings on canvasboard, giclees, and notecards. Even better - bring a friend in tow - I'll have my camera on hand, and will be able to shoot reference photos and book your dog-a-day commission on the spot. I'll be there both Saturday and Sunday, returning to the studio and painting daily portra...

"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...

"Lucy," 8" x 10", commissioned pet portrait of a lab mix, acrylic on board, private collection (THANK YOU!). Lucy was acquired through a carefully orchestrated trade - a firetruck for a puppy. It was the largest firetruck the toy store had, but Lucy's family came way out ahead of the game. Lucy was the gentlest creature around, and loved pleasing everyone and enjoying every aspect of life, down to the tiniest details. Car rides, boat rides, ducks, squirrels, lizards. Lucy even had the same squeaky toy for 14 years (I wonder if that little boy could say the same about his firetruck?). She is sorely missed by her family, despite the efforts of new puppy Sophie. I was touched to have the honor of including Lucy in the Painting a Dog a Day project. Proceeds from the sale of Lucy's portrait support Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah ( http://www.bestfriends.org/ ). The same goes for Sophie, when her turn comes up (we shall see if she's grown into Lucy...

"Daisy Mae's Bedhead," 6"x8", commissioned dog portrait , terrier mix in acrylic on panel, private collection (THANK YOU!). Daisy Mae started as a shelter stray, then was fostered by a rescue until she found her forever home (until recently, I really had no concept of how hard these rescues work, and HOW MANY little souls they save - how's about a round of applause for them!!). Now Daisy Mae is busy operating a rescue of her own. She has adopted the feral cats in the neighborhood. She lets her family know when one (or more) is at the front door. The cats get a solid meal and some quality time with their terrier guardian. That's truly paying it forward! Thanks as always for looking. And for sharing these stories and paintings with your friends and family. I'll be back tomorrow with another painting, Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings http://www.paintingadogaday.com/ come. sit...

"Honey," 8" x 10", commissioned mixed breed dog portrait , private collection (THANK YOU!). Don't fear - I am still on vacation. Spent today at the library (pouring over wordless childrens' books - the stories told through pictures/artwork alone), took a long walk with the kids - and dog - discovering signs of spring, did a little putzing in the yard (my daughter discovered with much excitement that the fairies had migrated home for the summer!), briefly met with a client and got the ok to glaze her portrait, and managed to start blocking in a very exciting and very larger than life terrier painting (28" x 20"!). But this little piece is from a few weeks back, one of those days when I was rather productive, and had already posted 3 paintings. I know Honey's family wanted to see her "officially" on the blog, and she truly deserves it. Look at those eyes, with her dark eyeliner. And that pink, damp nose! And floppy velvety ears that are...

"Catch the Wind (Sage)," 8" x 16", shepherd mix dog portrait , sale pending. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . I have a number of photos of Sage, and she's constantly in motion. Legs blurred, tongue slopping every which way, she's a dog of action. I wanted to capture that essence in her painting. Aiming her profile into an imagined wind and painting the background as though it was flowing into her were two tricks I employed. Loose and juicy brushwork compliments the sense of motion. Today is the last regular dog-a-day painting for a little bit. I've decided to take spring break with my kids this year. We won't be doing anything grander than raking the yard and walking the dog. But they will be delighted that my anthem "you may be off school, but it's still a work day for me" will be unsung in the coming week. Besides, you know me - I always manage to sneak into the studio and paint, even when I'm not officially...

"Baroo I (Sadie-Sage)," 6" x 8", commissioned pet portrait depicting a Beag-ador, private collection (or so I think - I haven't heard back from my client yet!). Inquiries on "Baroo I" or any other dog-a-day paintings (including how to get one of your own) may always come to me at ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . A Beag-ador !? Yes, that is Sadie-Sage's proud lineage. In this day and age of gourmet doggie-partnering, Sadie-Sage is a blueblooded mutt through and through. It is suspected she is a beagle-lab mix, but it is no secret that she is a doll with the sweetest face ever. Look at those eyes!! Sadie-Sage's portrait also benefits the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah. Last summer, BFAS's publication "Best Friends Magazine" did a feature article on the Painting a Dog a Day project, I was touched by the enormity of their readers' response, so much so that I pledged a donation in the purchaser's name for all subsequen...

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...

It's been another wild day here in the Santini household. The kids all got on their respective buses (albeit one was 1/2 hour late, and my son insisted that school had been cancelled and everyone at the busstop just didn't know it), which was a true blessing. Because the dog got sick. He threw up mountains of yech in his crate during the night, and this morning was curled up in one corner, trying to avoid it all. At first I just thought he ate something that didn't agree with him. Spent the entire morning cleaning up - I'd let him outside and he'd throw up, come back in all shivery, go to his crate, get sick, go back outside, get sick again - it was a never ending cycle. He was just miserable, and I was feeling rather helpless in my inability to make things better. Shortly after lunchtime there were traces of blood in his vomit and he had bloody diareah. So it was off to the vet with a couple ziplock baggies full of stained snow and a dog who now was clearly in dist...

"Gentry," 6" square, mixed breed dog portrait , acrylic on canvasboard, $135 to the first interested buyer. $26 of the purchase of Gentry's painting will be donated to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in the buyers' name. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. Gentry adores people, can't get enough of them, and doesn't let anything slow him down, despite getting about on 3 legs. He was hit by a car last August, and has had surgery since (including pins, screws and a metal plate in his hip), but still carries one leg around like a dead weight. He's in line for additional testing and xrays to determine the extent of the injury, and what type of care will be required to get him back on all fours. "Brady," 4" x 5", mixed breed dog portrait , acrylic on canvasboard, $105 to the first interested buyer. $20 of the purchase of Brady's portrait will be donated to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in the buyers' nam...

"Nino," 4" x 6", husky mix pet portrait , acrylic on canvasboard, $115. $22 from the sale of Nino's portrait will be donated to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kenab Utah. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. Nino has been at Best Friends 10 years now. He shows aggression towards other dogs and did bite someone, although he loves people. I love his deep fur and the smoky whiskers - he has the knowledge of a kindly old gentleman in his eyes. "Simba," 4" x 8", beagle mix dog portrait , acrylic on canvasboard. $26 from the sale of Simba's portrait will be donated to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kenab Utah. Inquiries again may come to me at ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Simba came to Best Friends from an overcrowded and understaffed shelter in New York, where circumstances provided very little contact with humans or other dogs. Since her arrival she has been busy learning socialization skills, and ...

"Freckles (Wycheck)," 5" x 7", border collie mix pet portrait , acrylic on canvasboard, $135 to the first buyer. $26 from the sale of this painting will be donated to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in the purchasers name. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . (If you like "Freckles," you might also like another painting I have for sale: "Turlington," an 18" x 24" much larger than lifesize border collie mix dog portrait in a similar pose. You can view "Turlington" at http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/canvases_available_for_purchase.html ) Freckles has sold. "Tousled (Xena)," 6" x 12", terrier mix pet portrait , acrylic on canvasboard, $200 to the first buyer. $40 from the sale of this painting will be donated to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in the purchasers name. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. Both Wycheck and Xena are chronicled on Best Friends Animal Snctuary's website....

From the top: "Cosmo" and "Vanilla". Cosmo, 6" square, commissioned mixed breed pet portrait , acrylic on canvasboard. Vanilla, 4" x 8", commissioned chihuahua portrait , acrylic on canvasboard. Both paintings are headed to a private collection (THANK YOU!). The color is bold and juicy in each of these pieces, although at first glance the dogs themselves might not seem terribly colorful. After all, one painting is of a black dog, and the other dog is practically white. To me, black's resonate with violets and blues. Dogs Vanilla's color come complete with oranges, pinks, greens, and periwinkles. Hence my renditions. I started another valentine painting this afternoon, and continued working on a larger still life built of vintage fisher price dogs. I also took down my show at the Orion Township Public Library, and spent some time sketching studies for a new large scale mastiff portrait. I'm about ready to settle down with a cup of tea and t...

Today has been unusually productive. I've gotten three stellar little paintings completed, all for the same client, and all as holiday gifts. This leaves me with only two dog-a-day paintings left pre-holiday, and those I am awaiting reference photos on. Oh, and I do have one other large canvas that I have been slowly working on - but he's not due till shortly after the holiday. Since October 1st I've completed 77 dog-a-day paintings, and 5 larger stretched canvases. That includes a week off for my brother's wedding, and another break for the AKC Eukanaba National Dog Show Championships earlier this month. I guess you could say I've been a little bit crazed. But this means that starting tomorrow I can actually kick back, take a deep breath, and maybe even get to meet a girlfriend or two for adult conversation and sustenance of some sort. Oh yeah, and I get to do Christmas shopping (and wrapping), start holiday baking (mmmm, homemade biscotti), and catch up on other ...

"Tortie Kitten," 4x5, tortoiseshell kitten portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, $105. $21 from the purchase of this painting will go to the Oakland Pet Fund ( http://www.oaklandpetfund.org/ ) - you can read more about their mission to eliminate euthanasia from Oakland County shelters by 2010 at their website. I am proud to support their efforts through the Painting a Dog a Day project - inquiries about purchasing this piece may come to me at ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . This is a Spice Girl kitty. Her mother was picked up as a stray along with a litter of kittens, and when we were at the shelter last week, there were 3 babies left and momma. Each kitten was named after a spice, and I cannot remember if this one was Ginger or Clove. But I loved her markings, and how one side of her face was markedly lighter and oranger than the other. And I promised you a bonus painting, too, as this week was a short one (at least for me). Hence the brindled sharpei mix,a tender size at 4x...

"Filmore," 6x12, commissioned pet portrait, mixed breed (greyhound) dog painting in acrylic on canvasboard, private collection (THANK YOU!). I love the soft light that's falling on this gentle dog's head. And how the shape of the piece mirrors his profile. It's a quiet and contemplative painting. Sort of the exact opposite of the kind of day I had, packing up and getting ready to head to the AKC/Eukanaba National Championships tomorrow. I will not be posting any paintings until next Tuesday due to the trip, but if time allows, I may pop in and give you an update. Let you know how my poster unveiling goes, and show you some of the imagery that will be inspiring future dog-a-day paintings. For those of you in the Long Beach, California area, I will be at the AKC booth from 10-2 on Saturday and Sunday. I would love to meet you! Don't forget, too, that next week is Animal Welfare Week (formerly called Shelter & Rescue Week), where I'll be profiling adoptab...