Paintings With Soul

  Fledged, acrylic and graphite on cradled wood panel, 8"x8", 1" profile painted with a mica infused dark gray carrying a hint of sparkle, no need to frame, $550 plus s&h to   the first asking nicely . Questions can always come  to me. here's another sweet nest I am continuing to explore the image of nests and their metaphorical meaning as our family celebrates yet another graduation - that of my daughter in law. This one feels particularly symbolic in that the bottom of the nest seems to be missing. She's also got a bit more complexity in both design and mark making because she's a bit larger than the other two. But still intimately sized. And with that mica infused dark brown edge that sets her off magically. You can see Fledged in greater detail  here  and even make her your own.  Thanks so much for your interest in my artwork, All my best, warmly, Kim

  nests are the proverbial image of spring In my case, they also represent a significant milestone in my youngest child's life. The Princess graduated college last weekend. For a little perspective, I began my career as an artist when she was an infant. While she and her brothers have been off adulting already, the ceremony sort of clinched the whole kids are all grown up aspect for me. And the fact that we are truly empty nesters. The day after her ceremony we came across an empty nest inside structure we were tearing down on our property. I carefully removed and brought her into the studio, thinking she would be wonderful filled with some of my polished stones and crystals. Monday morning I realized I had to draw her. A journal page turned into an afternoon spent making sweet little nest paintings. These two are ready to fledge and find new homes. They both are 6"x6"x1", with a mica infused dark brown painted edge that provides just a hint of sparkle. They will arr...

  "Promise," 18"x24"x1", acrylic on cradled birch. This painting may be offered at a future date with a small collection of similar pieces.  Reach out   with any questions and thanks so much for your interest in my artwork. I've worked on 5 different paintings today, all in various states, but I do believe this one is finished. However, I cannot decide on her orientation, although I am leaning towards this onw. Once I figure that out, I'll sign her. Meanwhile, I will take her to my Thursday critique group tomorrow for deeper discussion. She already was helped along by my quarterly group which met on Tuesday.  Do you ever lean on others for discussion and decision making in your work? It truly is invaluable. There's nothing more informative than hearing how others read the art you make - it's like getting a peek at what a gallery viewer, juror or internet viewer may see. And knowing this helps you to tweak/improve your imagery so that it more cle...

"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  

"Nest II (daVinci)," 12" x 12" x 1-1/2", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting everyone's favorite studio kitty daVinci. I think I can part with this painting. Well, provided the right family comes along. The piece is $699, which includes shipping and handling to a US address. Email me if you would like to bring daVinci (the painted, sleeping, well behaved daVinci) home. This painting has been on my wall for over 2 years. I loved it, but it was a sentimental sort of love for that particular memory of a tiny kitten. It wasn't the sort of love I have for pieces that are exquisitely painted which I can't believe came off my brush. Today I thought I'd try to capture that second sort of love. I repainted the entire surface with a combination of spatulas, wedges, fingers and tiny brushes.  There is a fabulous amount of texture and subtle layering of color happening here that just makes me grin ear to ear. And ...