Paintings With Soul

  Loves Me, Loves Me Not     24"x30", acrylic on aluminum panel (will require framing), $1800 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. Click on the image  or here  to be transported to my website where you can view the painting in a room setting, zoom in up close to the image, and perhaps even make her all yours. Available to ship mid November 2025. Questions? just  reach out . A small herd of deer bed down regularly in our yard and I was in love with the visual that came to me of layering a transparent spotted fawn with star studded skies, along with a number of other concepts ( Dawn and Dusk ,  A Thousand Pieces ,  Hollyhock ,  Presence ). This one languished alongside some other starts. They were born with great energy and the best intentions, but at some point began to feel derivative. Formulaic work does not excite me, so the work got set aside until I had the breadth to see them wit...

  Germinate, acrylic on panel, 24"x24", $1200 plus s&h   to the first asking nicely . Questions can always come  to me. Germinate did not begin as an abstraction. She began as a fox, then sky bloomed from her face, with an explosion of peonies growing from the lower edge into a ascension of petals off the top edge. Then a little water's edge landscape crept in too. In the process of trying to meld them all together I got overwhelmed. I asked the fox, "fox, what if you run off for for a bit while I resolve the organic elements?" Fox thought that was a good idea. When she did return, she decided hiding was far more fun. There's all sorts of things buried inside this painting if you take the time to look....... a child, butterflies, rabbits, a mermaid...... I won't tell you all of them, but leave a few for discovery! You can see Germinate in greater detail  here , view her up close and in a room setting, and find a link to purchase.  Let me know if you ...

  Tendril, acrylic on panel, 24"x24", $1200 plus s&h   to the first asking nicely . Questions can always come  to me. One of my favorite spring hallmarks is the emergence of peonies. They first start as deep crimson tendrils, delicate leaves all twisted up together, waiting for the warmth of the sun to coax them out. The leaves green up, spread out and begin to take up space from their first full inhalation. Then the buds emerge like closed fists, growing slowly into bubblegum orbs, before the little dancing feet of ants cause them to unfurl. I tried to capture all of these stages, from the earliest shoots to the heavy opened blooms, in this painting. And of course there had to be a little fox kit tucked in, too, soaking up their fragrance while snticipating her next move. You can see Tendril in greater detail  here,  where there is also a link to purchase.  Let me know if you would like a payment plan (30% non refundable deposit with the balance plus s...

  "Wildflower," 18"x24", acrylics and graphite on panel, $799 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. I accept paypal, personal checks and payment plans. Inquiries may always come  to me . Raccoons kept popping into my brain for no apparent reason the last week or so, so I decided yesterday afternoon to give one a try. She got drawn in overtop an older painting, which immediately contributed to the blue palette. The feverfew is from my yard, and the peonies are inspired by artificial ones I set up for another painting (now long abandoned/something else, but the flowers were so pretty I left them out. Translation: I'm lazy.) I'll share what I posted on Facebook about this one:  Paintings don't always come together this easily, but when they do I attribute it to the last 21 years of working every single day. So grateful to be able to passionately work on my art and make a living doing so. Don't believe the myth of the starving artist - show up, do the...

"Totem," 18x24x1", gallery wrapped canvas, acrylics and graphite,$849 plus s&h. I accept paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Inquiries may always come  to me . I'm not certain that this one qualifies as a Daydream, given that my inspiration subjects are a bit more representational, but this painting evolved from the same process and pulled on all the things the Daydreams have/are teaching me. Furthermore, Totem is a solid step in the direction I want to take my work in particular, lush with painterliness, imagination, sheer beauty and a storyline. Online classroom students  received an indepth video-ed discussion of this painting and the ah-ha moment it delivered. Later this week they will be getting my final thoughts on the composition and a sneak peek at what will hit my easel next. Classroom participation is via   Patreon,   where $5/month unlocks exclusive rewards. If you are seeking a deeper dive into my...

Pink P(e)ony, a  Florus Animalum painting 24" x 48", acrylics on panel featuring a white pony crowned with a luscious bouquet of blooms. She is $1499 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may come  to me . Please and thank you. I started this one last August, and forget why she got set aside. Today I practiced all the things I've learned in the past 8 months. Lots of drips, bursts of color, delightful drawn edges. Happy Sigh.

"Peony Diptych," (2) 12" square gallery stretched canvases that overall create a 12" x 24" image.  Done in acrylics and paint pen, featuring one of my favorite flowers, peonies. Available to the  first asking nicely  for $350. I'm planning to study florals a bit more seriously in a series of smaller works. I'm paying greater attention to modeling and composition, among other things. Trying to think about the painting as an abstract object and not as a representation of flowers, if that makes any sense. And if not, that's ok, too, because you can simply enjoy the piece for the floral element! Also, I made a number of new images available for prints and various reproductions - you can see them here . Thanks for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"Money Plant," 16" x 20", acrylics on panel. This one is available to the  first asking nicely  for a very affordable $200 (plus $20 s&h). Repeat after me: It's not snowing. It's not snowing. It's not snowing. Thanks for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"Peonies and Orchids," 16" x 20", acrylics on panel. I am thinking spring as the snow flies and blows outside. Who's with me? This one is available to the  first asking nicely  for a very affordable $200 (plus $20 s&h). SOLD (TY!) Thanks for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"Pink Peonies," 16" x 20", acrylics on panel. This is a demo painting for the lesson I'll teach this weekend - my local library has invited me to share some spring inspiration with their patrons. If you recall, in the fall we painted sunflowers together , and this time around it will be peonies. These peonies will bring a bit of spring to you, too - they are available to the  first asking nicely  for a very affordable $200  (SOLD - TY KL) Thanks for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"Petal," a Florus Animalum painting , 12" x 16", acrylics on panel, featuring a tender mouse nestled in an abundance of peonies. This piece is available for purchase to the  first asking nicely , $599 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much. A difference in opinion does not mean one person is better or lesser than another. Nor is one right and the other wrong. Today is a struggle for many Americans who are afraid of the future. Be kind. Be gentle. Listen to hear, really hear their voices. I am seeking understanding of how my country has become so divided. I am scared of what we are doing to each other, not just here in the States, but all over the world.  And in the midst of this turmoil, making art might seem trite. But it is what I do to find my own inner piece. To process events and emotions in a healthy manner. And to give others a small bit of beauty to add to their days. This mouse in this painting is timid. Mice are timid. But,...

IN PROCESS: "Petal," a Florus Animalum painting , 12" x 16", acrylics on panel, featuring a mouse nestled in an abundance of peonies. This piece is available for purchase to the  first asking nicely , $599 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much! I'm thinking about softness with this one. A slightly out of focus, softly lit tendril of a dream. Thanks, as always, for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"OKeefe," a Florus Animalum painting , 16" x 20", acrylics on panel, featuring a baby hamster crowned with peonies in a nod to her namesake Georgia OKeefe . This piece is available for purchase to the  first asking nicely , $749 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much! OKeefe is my new baby. Well, the inspiration behind the painting is my new baby, not the actual painting. Although artists often do refer to their paintings as babies....   Also, life drawing takes on an entirely new meaning when your model is rolling around the studio inside an exercise ball. OKeefe doesn't understand yet how to hold a pose. Thanks, as always, for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

ABOVE, full painting, BELOW, detail: "Welsh P(e)ony," an original piece from the Florus Animalum P(e)ony series, 24" x 36", acrylics on panel, $899 + s&h to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may come to me . There is so much lush color and intricate marks in this one - I wish you could stand in front of her with me to fully experience it. Please scroll below for a detail. This will be absolutely fabulous in a child's room, don't you think? Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    Shop Reproductions Here

"Reach," 24" x 30", acrylics on panel, $699 to your door (inside the US). Inquiries may come to me . This is my newest self portrait. The flowers have special meaning to me - peonies grew outside my grandmother's farm house (I have a piece of that same bush growing in my yard), and ranunculus are one of my personal favorites. This is my hand, reaching for the beauty and promise of the blooms, but it also could be anyone's hand doing the same. What are you reaching for? Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"Dixie Rose," 24" x 48", acrylics and ink on panel, featuring an Andalusian demurely peering out from underneath her crown of peonies. Dixie is $1499 to your door (inside the US), and returning collectors receive 10% off additional purchases of original art. Inquiries may come to me . I think she's done - I reserve the right to make any changes when I return from teaching on the West side of the state. Leaving as soon as I can throw my paints in my case! Really excited to work with a new group of students. Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    Shop Reproductions Here   WORKSHOPS: "Color-iffic," Montague, Michigan (near Grand Rapids), September 8-9th, 2016. For further information or to enroll, please contact  Korrine Rodgers . "Color-iffic", 2 days, Crooked Tree Art Center, Traverse City, MI, October 8-9, 2016. Click here for further information or to enroll. ...

"New Guinea," 20" x 30", acrylics on panel, featuring a much larger than life guinea with a crown of blooms. This piece is $699, price includes complimentary shipping inside the US, and as always, inquiries may come  to me . SOLD Please take a peek at my workshop schedule below - I may be teaching in your neck of the woods!! Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    WORKSHOPS: "Color-iffic," Montague, Michigan (near Grand Rapids), September 8-9th, 2016. For further information or to enroll, please contact  Korrine Rodgers . "Getting Fresh," Mt. Pleasant, SC, September 23-25th, 2016. For further information or to enroll, please contact Kathy Sweeney . "Color-iffic", 2 days, Crooked Tree Art Center, Traverse City, MI, October 8-9, 2016. Details forthcoming.

TOP, detail, BOTTOM, full painting - "P(e)ony," 48" x 48" (yes, this little pony is larger than life!), acrylics on panel, featuring a miniature pony sprouting a tangle of pink peonies. This is my favorite painting ever to come off my brushes. It can be yours for $8999. This includes complimentary shipping inside the US. Also, as with all my work, payment plans are an option, and I accept credit cards through Paypal. Inquiries may always come  to me . I have never painted with such intensity as with P(e)ony. These animal+florals are carrying me into brand new territory, and as I make wonderful discoveries with each one, I'm realizing that all my previously separate veins of creating are melding together into one cohesive and unique style. I am evolving! Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

(please excuse the glare - this one is tough to photograph because of it's size and the gloomy day) IN PROCESS: "P(e)ony," 48" x 48" (yes, this little pony is larger than life!), acrylics on panel, featuring a lavender pony sprouting a tangle of pink peonies. This one can be yours for $8999, including complimentary shipping inside the US (also, as with all my work, payment plans are an option). And yes, if you love her now, you can pre-purchase - inquiries may come  to me . So my peonies aren't blooming yet, but my neighbor's are. I texted her one evening at dusk - "will you call the police if I come over in my jammies and steal some of your flowers?" Thankfully she said no, and told me to cut as many as I needed. I have the best friends!! (and the studio smells so lovely!) Also, one rainy afternoon last week I may have been spotted picking wildflowers from a roadside ditch. Anything for art, right?! Thanks for following along w...

"Peonies III," one of 6 paintings completed this weekend at the Lisa Daria Kennedy workshop in Traverse City, Michigan. The pieces are all 6" square, acrylic, and with the exception of one piece on mylar, are done on masonite. This painting and her 5 friends are for sale - $75 each includes s&h - details are here. Inquiries may always come my way . Back to Earth You know how you put someone on a pedestal and believe they are perfect? and then when you get the chance to meet them, and learn they are merely human, you are disappointed?   Well, that DIDN'T happen this weekend. One of my painting Shero's, Lisa Daria Kennedy , came to Michigan to teach this last weekend. And I was one of 10 lucky students who got to pick her brains on color, brushwork, developing a personal voice, squirrels, artistic influences (she did mention  Susan Lichtman once or twice), critiques, values, food, messy buns and traveling with art supplies, da...