Paintings With Soul

"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  

"Silly Old Girl" 11" x 14", acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a my neighbor's sweet old girl, Gracie May. This painting can be yours for $599, which includes s&h inside the US. And in case you didn't see them, in process photos are here  . Inquires may come directly to me .  'll admit it, I spent a good amount of this morning sitting on the couch, mesmerized by the falling snow. Not sure it it was because of it's insane beauty, or because I couldn't believe it's STILL snowing, but it is what it is, and i will own that. Meanwhile, later in the day, after catching up on email (which may or may not have been done in pajamas, via my ipad, from the couch, while the snow fell), I started this new piece, inspired by Gracie, a muse of 10+ years. You see, after having coffee and other goodies yesterday morning at her house, she played this coy game when I got up to leave. She didn't want to have to get up ...

"Meg," 6"x8", acrylics on museum quality panel, a commissioned portrait of a little Maltese who is loving her second chance at life, private collection (THANK YOU!).  And but of course I can paint like this for you - just ask! . Meg was adopted into her new home last fall. She joined two older brothers, and didn't take long at all to leave her pawprint on her new Mom's heart. Who knows what her previous circumstances were? She is timid and remains fearful of men, but she knows how to snuggle and love on those who are kind. And that's pretty much how the rest of her life is going to play out! Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim

Detail of "Nestled," 30" x 30", acrylics on cradeled birch panel, featuring four different larger than life views of a daVinci, genius brown tabby kitten extraordinaire. This painting is hopefully headed to ArtPrize (see below) where it will be available for $3,900 to the first one asking nicely. VIEW IN PROCESS PHOTOS Here is my   ArtPrize 2014   entry. Or rather, one small bit of it.  Next up: actively focus on finding the perfect venue match for my entry. It's gotta be a space that will duly workshop his brilliance. He will accept nothing less. I photographed  the painting's progression - feel free to take a peek and add your two cents. A limited edition of 10 gallery wrapped hand-signed reproductions on canvas will be available for pre-order next week. Let me know if you are interested - I'm talking to vendors and arranging details now. Thanks as always for following along ...

In Process, "Nestled," 30" x 30", acrylics on cradeled birch panel, four different larger than life views of a particularly troublesome kitten (daVinci). This painting is headed to ArtPrize (hopefully) where it will be available for $3,900 to the first one asking nicely. VIEW IN PROCESS PHOTOS Have you heard of ArtPrize ? After only a handful of years, it's become one of the largest art festivals in the world - I was fortunate enough to be an artist in 2012 and to spend a weekend visiting last year. It's pretty inspiring, to say the least. How does it work? Well, artists put together a proposal online. Their work is then matched with a participating venue. The venue hangs and coordinates all the display details, and the artwork is publically on view for the duration of the festival. Entries are juried by a board of curators/peers as well as eligible for popular vote awar...

IN PROCESS: "Besties," 18" x 24", acrylics on museum quality cradeled panel (with image wrapped around the sides), commissioned portrait depicting a black labe and her new best friend, a chocolate lab pup. In process photos are here .  So despite the best intentions, this piece will not get finished until after I return from my Florida workshop next week. But that's ok - it'll allow me to linger over these two. They deserve some good lingering, I know. Thanks for following along with my artwork,  Kim 

"Mona Lisa's Rainbow," 7" x 8", casein on museum quality panel, depicting that famous kitty with the elusive smile. I'm not certain that this piece is finished, but anticipate some will be in love with her as is, so set things up on FineArtAmerica (reproductions, notecards and smartphone cases) - order away right here . Meanwhile inquiries may come to moi . I've cut back on commissions so as to actively study and play with my materials. Play is a huge part (for me) of maintaining creative energy, and it's the first thing that gets set aside when my calendar starts to fill. It's important, too, that I continue to challenge myself to grow as an artist. Painting with other artists, exploring new media and approaches, along with continuing to work from life and study light and color, is mandatory. And these are all things set aside if I don't say "no" often enough. Today was a "yes" day f...

"Poppy," 8" x 12", acrylics on a museum quality panel, gorgeously framed and well-traveled. Poppy's been displayed in exhibitions around the country, and has recently returned to the studio. She's ready for a home - inquiries may come to me . Today there's a Christmas gift on my easel, and I can't share because the recipient is a fan and follower. I have just a few pre-holiday spots left. So speak up now if you want to gift an actual painting - once my calendar is full, I'll be offering gift certificates through the end of the year. Thanks as always for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

  "Angel," 16" x 20", commissioned life sized portrait of a bull mastiff, acrylics on museum quality panel, private collection (THANK YOU!). In process photos of Angel's portrait are on  Facebook . And as always, inquiries may come  to me .     I'm looking for a few good muses - think your companion animal has what it takes?  Send me  some non-flash photos and we can talk!!   Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

IN PROCESS:  "Angel," 16" x 20", commissioned life sized portrait of a bull mastiff, acrylics on museum quality panel, private collection (THANK YOU!). In process photos of Angel's portrait will be updated to  Facebook  as I continue working. And as always, inquiries may come  to me .     Angle's Mom and I have been corresponding for 18mos, working out the details of a perfect portrait. I think we nailed it!   I can do the same thing for you -  let's start our own conversation !   Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

      "Do Not Disturb," 6" x 12", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting the tiniest Santini, da Vinci. This painting will go to the first one asking nicely - $369. You can  say "pretty please" via email.   I started this one yesterday, but many interruptions stretched things out over two days. Not the most ideal situation - I like to get into a groove and just let the paint flow until I'm done - but I always say it's important to step out of one's comfort zone and persevere.   In process pics of Vinnie's latest painting are  here .   And a special shout out to Facebook fan Bernadette Leigh who came up with the perfect title for this one.   If you want to talk about commissioning something extra special -  email me . I love to talk about this sort of stuff. Fondly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    

    "Nest," 12" square, done in acrylics on a museum quailty 1/12" cradeled panel (image painted around all four sides), portrait of da Vinci, the newest Santini family member. Inquiries may come  to me .   Additional views are posted inside the  Mobile Uploads  folder on  the studio Facebook page .         And yes, I do accept payment plans! Every year I choose a word that best encapsulates the sort of growth I'm aiming for the next 12 months. Past words have been Savor, Focus and Listen.   This year my word is Be.   That's it. Just Be.    Be in the moment, be authentic, be silly, be compassionate. Whatever the situation calls for, be it with my entire soul.   It won't always be pretty, but it most certainly will be human. What's your resolution? Kim, who started her year of BEing by practicing at being a student - ...

    "Repose," 5" x 7," depicting a friend's golden retriever lounging in her studio, acrylics on a museum quality panel. Sacha's portrait is headed to an exhibition, so not immediately available for purchase.   However, if you must have him (and I know how that is!)  shoot me an email and I'll put you in touch with the exhibition coordinators.   And if you would like to order notecards or reproductions, you can do so  here .   This painting went through some interesting changes - first a striped couch, then a solid pink cushion, before finally settling on a vintage pineapple pattern. After all, pineapples represent hospitality and friendliness, and who's better at making you feel welcome than golden retrievers? You can view photographs of the painting's progress and comment or ask questions on  the studio Facebook page .   Fondly Kim, who is thinking of sprucing up her front entrance to make it mo...

  "Toby," sketch done in acrylic on bristol board, approximately 4" x 6" roughly centered on a 9" x 12" page, depiciting a Sheltie, commissioned and in a private collection (THANK YOU!).     I came into the studio in my jammies this morning and started sketching. It's been productive, going directly to the easel instead of the computer. My brain wasn't yet weighed down with a to do list - maybe this is the new routine I'm searching for.   If you want a commissioned sketch like Toby's, they are only available until the end of this year.   Don't know what the difference is between a sketch and a portrait?   A sketch is a small study, done with very loose brushwork, often enclosed in a rectangular form like the above piece. It is done on paper, and carries a generous margin on all sides.   A portrait comes in a variety of sizes and are done on museum quality panels. Portraits carry far m...