Paintings With Soul

"Elvis," 8"x10", acrylics on museum quality panel, a commissioned memorial painting for one heck of an awesome dog, which means this one has a home (thank you!).  Inquiries may come here  . My heart breaks with these sorts of projects. I remind myself that we say goodbye way too soon to each of our pets, and that I am giving collectors something extraordinary that they didn't have before, a wonderful touchpoint for sharing memories and commemorating their family member. But it's still hard. My heart is just a wee bit too big, I suppose. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim PS In process photos are here .

    "Man's Best Friend," 8" x 10," commissioned portrait, acrylics on a museum quality panel, a special gift for a special guy - you're in on the secret, so if you recognize either of these fellows, mum's the word. Plenty of i n process photos are here . Want one for yourself? Inquiries may come to me .     This is my second commissioned figural portrait. I'm just delighted with how this has turned out - and fingers and toes crossed my client is too!   Thanks for following along, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

"Rory," 12" x 16," commissioned portrait of a Black Labradoodle with The Best Eyebrows Ever, acrylics on a museum quality panel. Plenty of in process photos are here, including closeups of his eye and nose along with a shot of my palette. Rory has a home, but there's plenty of other paintings in my head (and studio) that do not - inquiries may come to me . Although this photo is a little flat and gray because I had to shoot it under artificial lighting, my boss is somewhat happier about my productivity today. Let's see what my client has to say, though - I'm awaiting final approval. And permission to punch out and head home.  Thanks for following along, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

    "Buddy," 8" x 10", commissioned dog portrait, done in acrylics on a museum quality panel. Buddy's painting has a home (THANK YOU!), and in process pics are on the  studio's Facebook page .   So, like, this is one of my all time favorite pieces to come off my easel.    I'm feeling rather pleased with myself right now.    Fondly, Kim, who's head might have grown a couple sizes this afternoon ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    

      "Amber," 8" x 10", commissioned pet portrait of a poodle, done in acrylic on museum quality panel, private collection (THANK YOU!!). In process pics of this painting (I started it yesterday, October 2nd) are on  the studio Facebook wall .   I met with Amber's Mom at a local cafe. Over breakfast we reviewed a lifetime of photos she brought along on her iPad, with her emailing them to me directly from my review. Ain't technology grand? (when it works, that is!)   It was my honor to paint such a remarkably beautiful dog for her family. I hope I did justice to her memory.   Fondly, Kim, who's marveling at the bright yellow blanket of leaves today's rain brought down ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   PS  I'm accepting commissioned portraits for the holidays - let's begin planning your project now, before my calendar is full!  email me     Share the Dog a Day love and for...

    Every month, I travel back in time one year, choose a fav painting, and make a calendar page. Just like last month, October's choice was more difficult than usual, as I had several favorites (you can peek at all of October 2011 - and each of the over 1400 Painting a Dog a Day faces - here ).   So I chose this glamor girl because she represented my newfound confidence with mixing blues. Plus I love the composition and complimentary color palette. And her glorious profile, too.   Anyway, to implement this month's desktop calendar, simply download the file  directly from my website . I've set up a couple different ways to do this, either via the photo album or a direct link.   I am by no means an expert on the variety of operating systems, so I highly recommend that if you don't know how to change your desktop wallpaper, don't email me for advice. Instead consult your computer's help files - they will be more concise,...

  In process "Garden Muses," 6" x 12", commissioned double portrait done in acrylics on museum quality panel. Don't you love Luna's eyelashes? What woman wouldn't kill for those?!   I'm currently accepting commissions and even have a couple spots left for delivery by Father's Day -  email me  if you are interested.       Both Augie and Luna had wonderful lives. My client has the fondest memories of time spent in the garden with them, so it seemed fitting that their portrait be staged in the same place. My goal is to infuse this painting with their two distinctive personalites and the unique flair of a particular location.   (I also love the way the garden growth, which reads as foliage, also reads as abstraction and patterning)   See you tomorrow!! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com     Tussle   Thank you to all w...

      This year I'm gifting monthly desktop calendars built from some of my favorite Painting a Dog a Day pieces. Ideally I'll send them out on the last Monday of the previous month, so keep your eyes peeled!   To implement, simply download the calendar file  directly from my website . I've set up a couple different ways to do this, either via the photo album or a direct link.   I am by no means an expert on the variety of operating systems, so I highly recommend that if you don't know how to change your desktop wallpaper, please don't email me for advice. Consult your computer's help files - they will be more concise, more knowledgeable and more responsive than lil' ole' me.    February is sized to fit a standard screen height of 768 - I realize there are lots of variables that could impact how this file displays on your screen. Let me know if, once you get the file installed, there are display quality issues (keep in mind, too, that ...

ORDER NOTECARDS AND REPRODUCTIONS HERE   "Mr. Percival (You Can Call Him P)," 11" x 14", commissioned portrait of a mixed breed dog, done in Golden Open Acrylics on panel, private collection (warm thanks and an equally warm welcome to my new collector!)   I thoroughly indulged this weekend in food, family and fun. And somehow I even managed to come into the studio yesterday, refreshed and eager to jump into the paint, when I completed P's painting and got a good start on another. (Just don't ask if the tree's up yet, ok?)   In process pics of Percy's portrait can be found on  the studio's Facebook page , inside  the Mobile Uploads folder . Feel free to post comments there if you have any questions of thoughts about my process.   And now I'm headed back to the easel for a bit. Let's see who falls off my brushes next - I've got 11 faces lined up for this week. Yup, you read that right. E. Lev. En.   Because it's that time...

FINISHED!!   From left: "Molly" and "Shadow," commissioned dog portraits of two Standard Poodles, each 10" square, done in acrylics on panel (and still on my easel, although drying). Private collection.   In progress photos are on  the studio Facebook page .   I am grateful for the opportunity to add Molly and Shadow to my portfolio - just as I have been with the other 1200+ faces that have been part of the Painting a Dog a Day project and crossed my easel since 2006.   I have the best job ever, and it's all because of you. You share your stories, your encouragement, your companions, the occasional bite of chocolate and much, much more.   Thank you from the depths of my heart, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   Let Them Eat Turkey! (or Tofu)   Tomorrow I will not be in the studio - but I will be enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday with my family.   And I will also be thanking each and every one of you for keeping my dream alive ...

  Both of the above commissioned portraits are 10" square, and both are currently in residence on my easel.   My goal is to finish them tonite, but we shall see what happens. I also have to make cranberry relish and pineapple upside down cupcakes..... it might be a late nite!!   Meanwhile, I have gotten into the habit of regularly posting updates of paintings in progress on  the studio Facebook page  - usually in the Mobile Uploads folder.   I invite you to take a peek and see if this is something you are interested in following.    Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    

  ORDER PRINTS/NOTECARDS HERE     "Ready For Her Closeup," 8" x 10", portrait of Tallulah, who I've been told is the Carol Burnett of poodles. This painting was done in Golden Open Acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord, with multiple in process photos inside the Mobile Uploads folder on  the studio's Facebook page .   I've got a couple of exhibitions in mind for Tallulah - we'll send her off on a world tour, shall we? Meanwhile, if you can't wait for her to come to a town near you, the painting can be yours for $469.    Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Complementary Colors   When choosing the palette for your painting (or even a room in your home), consider colors that fall opposite each other on the color wheel.   When placed together, they create a visual tingle.   Hence my choice of the faded orange couch to complement the pale blue pillows.   Tallulah doesn'...

    ORDER NOTECARDS/REPRODUCTIONS      "Annie," image approximately 8" square on an 8" x 10" paper, Golden Open Acrylics on artists' multimedia board. This is a commissioned pet portrait depicting a wonderfully lucky Standard Poodle.   Annie was brought by a rescue group to my clients, a family known for their love of poodles. The rescue group was looking for a foster home that would allow them to get to know Annie better while looking for her new forever home.   Little did the rescue know, but Annie had already found her new home. She lasted a whole 5 hours as a foster dog before completely winning over the hearts of my clients and becoming best friends with their two other dogs.   Her family are proud foster flunkies, and she's a jolly, goofy, delightful addition to their household.   Thanks for looking at - and sharing - my artwork with your friends and family. Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com     D...

"You WILL Be Mine (Pearl and Arty)," 6" x 8", a special Valentine's Day portrait depicting a yellow lab and a black standard poodle. This piece was done in Golden Open Acrylics on a Raymar Panel, and is the first ever Dog a Day Valentine GiveAway portrait! Reproductions and notecards of "You WILL Be Mine" can be ordered via my FineArtAmerica storefront. Doesn't this remind you of the whole elementary school playground bit? Today's painting belongs to Lisa Stahlberg, who last week submitted the hysterical photo (scroll down, please) of Pearl and Arty playing in the snow. Little did I know, but Arty is a PAWS With a Cause service pup in training, and Pearl is a face I painted many years ago . Congratulations to Lisa and her two sidekicks for inspiring this year's Valentine! And thank you to all who so graciously sent in photos of your loved companions - I'll be responding personally to everyone. It was beyond rewarding to see the re...

FROM TOP: "Indie," 5" x 7" and "Kosmo," 6" square. Both pet portrait commissions, acrylic on canvasboard, private collection (THANK YOU!). Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me . This morning I gave a presentation to the 4th graders at Stadium Drive Elementary about being an artist. Over the next week, we'll be building collaged pet portraits. We spent some time this morning looking at paintings and identifying the types of things that elevate a mere likeness into a relationship. We talked about building story details through color, pattern and text. I am so excited to see the resulting artwork! Then I came into the studio and chose these little faces for today's paintings. The energy of their curls and their bright eyes were a solid match to the inspiration and enthusiasm that I brought home with me. Tomorrow I will paint my entry for this mon...

"Spunk," 6" x 8", commissioned pet portrait, acrylic on canvasboard, private collection (THANK YOU!).   This painting will be a surprise gift from a group of girlfriends who have been sneaking around taking pictures of this little dog for the last couple months.  Her dog is her little shadow, and what a fitting gift his portrait will be. She has absolutely no idea about this (nor does she know about Painting a Dog a Day, although she has seen my paintings before and loved them). It's way too much fun working in secret like this.   If you would like to commission a portrait for a special occasion,  let me know . We can book a particular day and cc the Painting a Dog a Day note to the recipient or we can do it all on the sly. We can also put together a beautiful gift certificate so that the recipient can share in the painting process.    Thanks as always for looking at and sharing my paintings. Have a great weekend! I'm off to bed - it's been a looooong we...

"Faux-hawk," 8" x 16", poodle pet portrait , acrylic on canvasboard, $300 to the first buyer. Inquiries may always come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . I did this painting at the tail end of last year but didn't get the chance to post him. I wasn't terribly worried, because there were plenty of dog-a-day paintings flying off the easel that month. I knew this guy was special, and didn't want him to get lost in the crowd. This painting was inspired by the poodle primping I observed at the AKC Eukanaba National Championship Dog Show last December. I loved the carefully sectioned row of pony-tails that lined the napes of their neck and topknots. The dogs loved the back-combing and powdering - they reveled in the attention, and pranced around like nobility when finished. I took some liberties with the color in his fur, and enjoyed layering the glazes, using juicy brushmarks. This is a piece that glows when you hold it in your hands. I love having it here...