Paintings With Soul

All finished, "Caught," 8" x 12", acrylics on copper panel, portrait of a Golden Retriever complete with ball, $849 to the first asking nicely. As always, inquiries may come to me .  I've been thinking a lot about Daily Painting, the habits it has instilled in me, and how they might - or might not - serve the final painting.  One of my takeaways from my nearly 10 years of daily painting is that, originally, my goal was to complete a painting in a day. In the beginning, painting a 4"x5" portrait in one day was a big challenge, and as I became more comfortable with that, I expanded my focus to include larger and then more complex paintings. However, I have realized that limiting myself to one day just isn't the best approach for the sort of artwork I now want to create. I need to simmer with the paintings, consider and try out various solutions to my intended end. And that can't be boiled down into a specific length of time. ...

In process detail, "Caught," 8" x 12", (detail approximately 6" square of the entire painting surface), acrylics on copper panel, portrait of a Golden Retriever with HER ball, $849 to the first asking nicely. As always, inquiries may come to me .  I am getting caught up in the intricacy of the marks and layers of paint. Wanted to share all the lusciousness of that with you. This part takes time, as I paint the whole image, scratch, sand and distress it, then repeat. Over and over until it looks just right. It's almost just right. Thanks for your interest in my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Blaze," 8" x 12", acrylics on copper panel, portrait of a lovely Gypsy Vanner mare, $849 to the first asking nicely. Because it's on copper and you need to SEE the light move across it, here's an in process video . As always, inquiries may come to me .  This morning I made some changes to Queenie which I am very pleased with, and then started Blaze. The unfinished/sketched in areas of Blaze are intentional. I want the copper to read as more than just an element of the background. I also thought it interesting that as I painted the green ground in, I subconsciously made a box around the focal point. Similar to the painted sketches I used to make, where the animal's face projected from painted "windows." I loved that effect, so left it in here as well. So now comes the tough part - what to paint tomorrow?! and isn't that a lovely problem to have! Thanks for your interest in my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovede...

"Queenie," 8" x 12", acrylics on copper panel, portrait of a very relaxed yellow labrador retriever, $849 to the first asking nicely. Here's an in process video where you can better appreciate the play of light on this painting. Inquiries may come to me .  I worked a little more on Annie's latest portrait last nite and made a mess of things (photo in above link conveniently taken prior to mess being made). So today I wanted to tackle a painting that was firmly entrenched in my comfort zone. Enter Queenie, from a friend's photo I have been wanting to paint for years (thank you Jen!). And of course I take my sweet old time with this one, savoring every brushmark, doing it all by the book, thinking it's all finished, scan it, and only THEN do I see some changes I want to make.  Grumble, grumble, grumble. Thanks for your interest in my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Golden," 6" x 9-1/2", acrylics on copper, portrait of a golden retriever. This painting has a new home, and I am thrilled to get to deliver it soon. It's not often that I get to actually see the recipient's reaction upon receipt, since the majority of my paintings are shipped. I think The Reveal is one of the best parts! Thanks for your interest in my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Luna Lapin," 6" x 6-1/2", acrylics on copper, portrait of a black lop-eared bunny rabbit, $599 to the first one asking nicely. In process photos are here , and a short video is also over here . Let me give a shout out to CC from House Rabbit Society for allowing me to paint her Luna today. Thank you for permission to work from your lovely photo! Ok, I'm back to work. Tonight I teach! Thanks for your interest in my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Chippie II," 6-1/4" x 6", a repeat of yesterday's chipmunk, but this time acrylics on copper. Chippie II is $599, which includes shipping and handling to a US address. Message me if you are interested. You need to experience Chippie II in person - sections of the surface are exposed copper, and the metal reflects and absorbs the light as the viewer moves about. Here's a video short of the piece in process. You ARE Seeing Double! And I'm seeing a mess of chipmunks, too. We built a flagstone patio this summer, and it's coaxed them out into the sunshine. I've enjoyed watching their antics from all sorts of different angles inside and out. I think there might be more paintings to come. But meanwhile, continuing to think about the differences between painting on a panel vs painting on copper, I took yesterday's composition and gave it a whirl.  I also worked out a way to add more glint/reflec...

Detail of an in process painting, working title "Snowglobe," 12" x 9", acrylics on copper panel, depicting my childhood Madame Alexander "Victoria" doll holding a snowglobe (not pictured because this is a detail). This piece is not yet available. All inquiries may  come to me . Continuing with my exploration of copper as canvas, this newest painting is headed (hopefully!) for an exhibition. My first obstacle is getting her finished before Wednesday's deadline (I am a professional procrastinator!). My second obstacle is getting her juried into the show (send me good vibes, because it'll all come down to one person's point of view). Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Warmly, Kim  

"Bodhi," 12" x 9", acrylics on copper panel, depicting the perfect gentleman in repose, $849. Paintings on copper are exquisitely different when seen in person, and Bodhi's is no exception. Exposed bits of the surface are an active part of the composition, changing in value and offering reflective luminescence as the light moves across the painting. In this case, the majority of the exposed copper is around Bodhi's face, giving his princely expression a little more pizazz. I wish you could see it in person!  All inquiries may  come to me . Bam. Badda Boom. Badda Boom. Signed this puppy (can't quite believe it came off my brushes!), and now I'm off to a friend's exhibition opening. Bring on the weekend! Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Warmly, Kim