Paintings With Soul

  Vernal, acrylic on panel, 24"x30" sold (thank you so much to my newest collector!!). Questions can always come  to me. This momma bear has been in process for quite some time. I think I started her last fall. My initial challenge was to explore what changed if the composition went from portrait to landscape and if I turned her gaze to the side. First off, the landscape orientation really softened her body language, and a molten effect settled into her form. And the averted gaze allowed the bear to become lost in her own thoughts. I took advantage of this shift to paint her as elements of the landscape, then fractured that further into bits of spring, which happens to be showing up (finally!) here in Michigan. I particularly like the echos of petals and leaf growth that flutter across the panel like butterflies and the warming sun beginning to peek out in the east, behind her right eye. You can see Vernal in greater detail  here . Here's a little  video  that s...

  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...

  "Daffodil," 20" x 20", acrylics on quatrefoil shaped panel, $899 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. Please note that the watermark is not on the original painting. Returning collectors always receive 10% off. I accept Paypal, personal checks and payment plans.   Please message me.   Daffodil is disgusted with this week's weather forecast. She is so done with snow. Is a little sunshine and 60 degree weather too much to ask for in late April in Michigan? pretty please? Thanks for following along on my painting journey. Be well, Fondly, Kim

  "Millie," 6" x 8" x 1", acrylics in cradled panel, image wrapped around the side for a clean and contemporary look, $269 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. Please note that the watermark is not on the original painting. Returning collectors always receive 10% off. I accept Paypal, personal checks and payment plans.   Please message me.   Here's another little chicklet for you. They are so much fun to paint! Thanks for following along on my painting journey. Be well, Fondly, Kim

  "Coco," 6" x 8" x 1", acrylics in cradled panel, image wrapped around the side for a clean and contemporary look, $269 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. Please note that the watermark is not on the original painting. Returning collectors always receive 10% off. I accept Paypal, personal checks and payment plans.   Please message me.   It's baby chick season! Over the weekend, I visited a mess of little peepers and floofers, which of course meant that I had to paint them, right?! It's hard to make these any cuter - but I think the addition of a crown levels things up just a smidge. I intentionally kept this one small, so she could be easily tucked somewhere. However, if you are looking for more of a statement painting,   Derby Chicks   is available. I can also paint something to your specifications, whether that be size or colors. Thanks for following along on my painting journey. Be well, Fondly, Kim

  "Tender," 12" x 16", acrylics and graphite on museum quality panel, $499 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. Returning collectors always receive 10% off. I accept Paypal, personal checks and payment plans.   Please message me.   We have a small herd of deer that hang out with us, which is unusual for a neighborhood setting. I think the prior home owners must have fed them (it's not a stretch by any means, given that we have a squirrel who comes to the kitchen window and begs for apple slices and a chipmunk family that are not shy in the least. We have yet to meet James the groundhog and Lucy the possum.). But anyways, when I was out walking this morning, I got to wondering if I might have the honor of actually seeing a fresh baby deer in my own yard this year, and how much fun it would be to sit (at a distance, mind you) and sketch from life. And so this painting is me trying to manifest that idea. You might also recognize the oak leaves - they carried ov...

  "Crocus," 20" diameter, acrylics and graphite on 1/2" thick birch panel, painted around the sides, $899 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. Returning collectors get 10% off. I accept Paypal, personal checks and payment plans.   Please message me.   I am thrilled by this one, inspired by the first lovely little crocus to smile at me last week. I knew (after   Foxy ) that I wasn't yet done with painting foxes, that they would continue to show up from time to time. And when I got the itch to work in a circular format again, all I could picture was a fox all curled up on herself. A circle in a circle. I love repeating patterns with subtle differences. It's one of those things that makes me feel alive. And I'm buzzing with life today! Thanks for following along on my painting journey. Be well, Fondly, Kim

"Sunrise," 18"x24", acrylics and graphite on stonehenge paper, $599 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. This piece will need to be framed and set behind glass by the buyer. I accept Paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Purchase inquiries can always come   to me . I've been doing a lot of experimental things in the studio lately, but today I wanted to feel a bit more accomplished. So I set out to finish something that had been started a bit ago. This was the initial study for the   larger 36" x 48" jackrabbit painting   I have in process, but as I worked on her today, she took on a life of her own. She's rather hopeful, just like the promise of a new day. Thanks for following along with my painting journey, Kim

IN PROCESS Resilience (working title), 18" x 24", acrylics and graphite on stonehenge paper (will need to be framed and set behind glass), $599 plus s&h when completed. There is a little bit of paper buckling and glare from the studio lights in the upper left - the paper is pretty wet, but ultimately this piece will dry completely flat. I accept paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans - inquiries may always come   to me , and thank you so very much. I finally made it to the easel today, and painted something (that wasn't a journal page) that I feel pretty excited to share. The past couple weeks have rocked me to my very core, which I'm sure is a feeling many of you can relate to. Here in Michigan we are on our first full day house arrest, and today I seriously limited my exposure to the media/newsfeeds and focused instead on the things that make me happy. Rabbits, line, flowers, color, pop tarts. I taught   a #journalthroughit session   this morning ...

"Hedgerow," 18x24x1", cradeled wood panel, acrylics and graphite, $849 plus s&h. I accept paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Inquiries may always come  to me . This one has evolved all week, with various rabbits coming and going over the course of each painting session. I shared a number of images on   my Facebook page , and will be doing a more thorough explanation of my process in   my Patreon online classroom . But meanwhile, I'm going to sit and look at this painting, with her cloud bunny, and pretend it's not 300 degrees below zero outside today. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork journey, Warmly, Kim

"All Ears," 8x10x1/2", gallery wrapped canvas, acrylics and graphite, image painted/extended around wrap so no need to frame. $299 plus $20 s&h. Returning collectors receive 10% off. I accept paypel, venmo and payment plans. Inquiries may always come  to me . So yesterday I had great things in mind for my easel time. None of them manifested. It was one disaster after another. I figured out why (great plans but very little actual planning while also forcing in process pieces to be something they weren't destined to become). And then I tried to salvage what was left of my afternoon and evening by painting something palatable. A fun painting. Inside my comfort zone. Something cleansing, that would reset my energy levels and ready me to return to the studio with joy as opposed to dread. So what's more fun than a chick wearing bunny slippers? A chick wearing bunny slippers with bunny ears, too, of course! Thanks, as always, for following along with...

"The Blue of Fallen Skies," 11" x 14", acrylics on panel, $449 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. I accept paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Inquiries may come   to me . I was beating myself up, because every painting I started this week ended up in my Paint Over Pile. I think much of that had to do with the news, from which I have now unplugged. A heart can only stand so much. I am going to seriously embrace my mantra "because our world needs more beauty" in the coming weeks. Who's coming with me? Thanks, as always, for following along with my art journey, Warmly, Kim

"Follow the White Rabbit," 16" x 20", acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas, $649 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. I accept paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Inquiries may come   to me . So this painting took me about 3 years to finish, not because I didn't spend enough time on her, but because I couldn't properly resolve the idea. I had this vision of an otherworldly bunny, but the previous versions were either too silly, too derivative, or too literal. The lucky collector gets all of them - they are buried underneath this final version. Thanks, as always, for following along with my art journey, Warmly, Kimalice

Kimberly Kelly Santini   paintings with soul because our world needs more beauty   "Oval Chick," 9" x 12", acrylics on gallery stretched canvas, oval, with painted sdes (so no need to frame). Because I am SO HAPPY we have sunshine today and the snow is melted (I might have just cursed us, so sorry Michigan) I'm going to let her go for $150 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may come   to me . Share Tweet Forward

"Princess Crabby Pants," another  Bauble painting, 9" x 12" x 1/2", acrylics on gallery stretched canvas (painted around the sides, so she can hang directly without framing if you choose). Available to the  first asking nicely , $289 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much. She was grouchy from the get go . But absolutely darling, too. Also, wanted to mention I have time to accept a couple of pet portrait commissions. Now is the perfect time to snag one for Mother's or Father's days, or even a graduation gift. Email me for details - and thanks! Thanks for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   WORKSHOPS:  May 17-20th, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Please contact Betty Klenke for more information.  June 21-23rd, Montague, Michigan. Please contact Korrine Rogers for more information.

"Little Missy," the newest  Bauble painting, 9" x 12" x 1/2", acrylics on gallery stretched canvas (painted around the sides, so she can hang directly without framing if you choose). Available to the  first asking nicely , $289 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much. SOLD (TY) I am deep into exploring the boundaries between painting a realistic form and setting it into a dreamscape, while at the same time pushing my paints to do things I've never tried before. And creating joyous images. Best. Job. Ever. Thanks for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   WORKSHOPS:  May 17-20th, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Please contact Betty Klenke for more information.  June 21-23rd, Montague, Michigan. Please contact Korrine Rogers for more information.

"Pip Squeak," from The Bauble paintings, 9" x 12" x 1/2", acrylics on gallery stretched linen (painted around the sides, so she can hang directly without framing if you choose). Available to the  first asking nicely , $289 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much. Seriously, peeps, how can you NOT fall in love with this one?!  Thanks for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   WORKSHOPS:  May 17-20th, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Please contact Betty Klenke for more information.  June 21-23rd, Montague, Michigan. Please contact Korrine Rogers for more information.

"Cameo," 12" x 16", acrylics on panel. Available to the  first asking nicely , $579 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much. Thanks for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   WORKSHOPS:  May 17-20th, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Please contact Betty Klenke for more information.  June 21-23rd, Montague, Michigan. Please contact Korrine Rogers for more information.

ABOVE: "Cheep," a 12" x 9" oval, acrylics on gallery stretched canvas and painted right around that edge (no need to frame!), $249.  BELOW, FROM LEFT: "Chick 1" and "Chick 2", 8" square, acrylics on canvasboard, $75 each. All inquiries may come to me , and thank you so much. NOTE: Chick 1 has sold, thank you. Today's goals included befriending yellow (she can be a miserable wench at times) while learning more about chicks, which, as you know, I am newly obsessed with. These studies aren't as detailed as my other pieces, but they have a certain je ne sais quoi, so I've priced them specially just for you. Thanks for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com