Paintings With Soul

"The Ninth Life," 11" x 14", acrylics on museum quality panel, $499 plus s&h to the first one asking nicely. Inquiries can come to   me . Starring one of my current studio kitties Mona Lisa, but harkening to memories of Turtledove, the studio namesake, who passed away on Thanksgiving Day eleven years ago. There's something tender and precious about the delicacy of old age; the lines of a life well lived, battle scars and smile lines both. The surface of this painting bears those same sorts of marks, telling the story of a peaceful rest after a grand adventure. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork. Warmly, Kim

"Midas," 24" x 30", acrylics on panel, available for purchase to the  first asking nicely , $899 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much! I should charge double for this one. Those ribbons took a damn eternity, so many repaints I lost count, and I'm freaking cross eyed from the stripes. BUT - here's the thing - I stuck through it, asked myself why things weren't working, found the answers through trial and error, and made it work. So yesterday's crappy paint day? No longer matters my friends! Thanks, as always, for supporting my dream, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

DETAIL, in process: "Cocoa," 16" x 20", acrylics on panel, featuring an aptly named chocolate guinea pig with her hair done up properly. Even at this unfinished stage, this original painting is absolutely magical. And it can be yours for $749 (yes, payment plans welcomed!) - as always, inquiries may come to me . Thanks, as always, for following my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    PSST:  All remaining inventory from my Toys series of paintings (the little 6" square treasures) are now $50 plus s&h through December 10th, 2016. And yes, I will combine s&h on all orders. I've selected a few wonderful originals, including pieces never before offered, for special pricing through Saturday, December 10th, 2016. As I clean up the studio in the next few days, I may be adding more to the album, so please check back. And finally, in the interest of sharing much needed beauty and love with the world, I will consider a...

"Pinwheel," 24" x 24" x 2, with painting wrapped around the edges (no need to frame) starring a baby zebra and a mess of candy-striped petunias (which were amazingly fun to paint!). This painting is absolutely stunning in person - I want to have you all over to see the scope and scale of what I've been creating!! Pinwheel can be yours for $2999, including complimentary shipping inside the US (and this is a heavy birch panel) (also, as with all my work, payment plans are an option). Inquiries may come  to me . It's a veritable zoo in the studio. And I'm not talking about my mess or the kids! Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"Rare Sighting of Brontosaurus Pinkus, Thought Extinct," 16" x 20", acrylics and mixed media on canvasboard, depicting an arrangement of roses which have lured the elusive Brontosaurus Pinkus from hiding. This remarkable moment is now preserved forever, and it can be yours for $449 (with complimentary s&h inside the US) to the first asking nicely . I've been so engrossed in arranging, painting, and rearranging flowers the past couple weeks that I've completely missed out on paying attention to the wildlife they are attracting. The studio habitat is a wonderful space! Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

In process, "Toile Tabby (Mona Lisa)," 6-1/2" x 6", acrylics on copper panel, portrait of my ever willing studio muse and tabby cat, complete with her air of mystery. When finished, this piece will be $599 to the first asking nicely. As always, inquiries may come to me .  I don't often force myself to take time away from the studio, but did so this weekend. Sometimes one can benefit from shutting down - or trying to shut down - the incessant color mixing/painting/composing/problem solving that goes on in one's head.  In my case, I returned to the studio early this morning - 7am!! - eager get to the easel and a bit more clear headed and focused than I have been as of late. The break (including a massage, reading, knitting, baking, journaling and family time) was good for me. And here I am at 11pm, readying to call it a night. Because when inspiration calls, my brushes are compelled to get to work answering. Thanks for your interest in...

"Mona's Nest," 11" x 14", acrylics on museum panel, portrait of my studio muse Mona Lisa, $1259 to the first asking nicely. As always, inquiries may come to me .  Today didn't go as planned, but I tried to roll with it. Sometimes that's how things play out. What matters is that I didn't beat myself up, I worked with what I was given, and I made it to the easel long enough this afternoon to finish Mona. Thanks for your interest in my artwork and here's to a better day tomorrow, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Lying in Wait," 5" x 10", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a kitten looking for a little adventure, $329 (includes shipping and handling to a US address). Email me if you would like to to own this little guy - and thank you so much for your interest! SOLD (to the first one asking nicely!) Something else is lying in wait.  The holidays are just around the corner. Yikes. I am so not ready for them! (PSST - portraits make great gifts, and I do gift certificates. Also, custom cell phone cases and other goodies with my artwork on them. Just saying....) Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Warmly, Kim   ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

"Shelter Tabby," 5" x 7", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a lovely gray tabby (of course, those who have painted with me will know that gray is never really gray - there's lots of color there!). This painting is being given away to support my local shelter - please read below for details. The Princess and I visited our shelter last week to drop off a donation. We were saddened to learn that they were at full capacity with cats. And there were so many wonderful kitties there, all ages, colors and sizes, happy to be played with and loved on. There was a crew of regular volunteers grooming and nurturing and letting us know about personalities/etc, and we enjoyed ourselves for over an hour. Of course we fell in love with a couple residents. It's impossible NOT to. We can't bring any more pets into our household (we are at capacity here too) but we decided we could still help out by sponsoring a couple cats and rai...

"Chippie," 8" x 8", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a tiny little chipmunk, packing his cheeks, $399 includes shipping and handling to a US address, going home with the first one asking nicely. SOLD (thank you very much!) Working out ideas on light and form today - I spent a significant amount of time sipping tea and watching the early morning sun travel through our brilliantly yellow maple. I might have figured a few things out about value and light.  I'll let you know - gonna try my hand at another chipmunk. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Warmly, Kim   ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

"Poppy Gray," 12" x 16", dog portrait of my favorite little Frenchie, my live painting project from last Friday. Poppy is acrylics on museum quality panel (and he has a lovely home, thank you so very much!). All inquiries may  come to me . What a week I had in Louisiana!  First off, it was four days of herding cats, err, students. They were fantastic at pushing paint and excelled at keeping my strength up (grits and bread pudding and fresh seafood, baby!). I don't think I've ever had a group that bonded immediately and laughed so hard. Then I got a whirlwind introduction to New Orleans courtesy of the real Stella Gray. More extraordinary tastes combined with new friends, live music, a moonlit walk along the Mississippi, and beautiful objects made for an excellent cap to my week. Many many thanks to the Louisiana Art & Artists Guild for hosting the workshop, my students for putting up with me, and the remarkable Diann...

"Because He Can," 8" x 10", Golden acrylics on a Raymar panel. Who else could this be but the one and only daVinci, my studio kitty? The painting is available for $469 which includes s&h inside the US. Inquiries may come  to me . Please and thank you! daVinci has no problem dropping everything to clean his butt, no matter where he is or who might be in the room with him.  He purrs while cleaning himself too. What do you suppose that means? Here's your chance to get a piece of him without his stinky-ness. Too bad I can't wrap up some kitten snuggles, too. In process images are here.   Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork! Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

"Striped and Soft," 10" x 10", acrylics on a Raymar panel, commissioned portrait of a big boned tabby cat, private collection (thank you!). Let me know if you would like one of these portraits starring your pet  (and yes, there's still time to get a gift certificate by the holidays). A fellow artist used the term "homeschooling" the other day when referring to her own studies. She was spending free time copying master paintings and doing focused work of her own direction. I loved the idea so much that I've coined that phrase for myself. This is my final holiday commission (or at least the last one I can share), which means that the rest of December is time for me to paint just what I want to. I have obligations (gallery inventory and some pieces for exhibitions), but everything that hits my easel will do so for a distinct learning purpose. I'm gonna be homeschooled! Except for the few days next week when I take a still life...

Please paint ME a portrait "Tabby Profile," 5" x 7", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a brown tabby with a wonderful maze of stripes, private collection (THANK YOU!). This weekend was packed full of family time, and as such, I am really behind on email. I'm working my way through, though, and appreciate your patience while I field inquiries with the same care and attention you'll receive. 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 ...

The completed painting - "I'm Not Listening. Wait. Maybe I Am," 11" x 14", velvety dark and rich acrylics on museum quality panel depicting the one and only Mona Lisa, $599 to the first asking nicely. SOLD (thank you!). VIEW IN PROCESS PHOTOS Got this one finished today AND got the initial sketch done of my ArtPrize 2014 piece starring daVinci. You can watch that project (and it's a BIG one, to match Vinnie's personality) unfold here . And learn more about ArtPrize, a fantastic art festival held in Grand Rapids Michigan each fall, here . Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com 

In process pic of "I'm Not Listening. Wait. Maybe I Am," 11" x 14", acrylics on museum quality panel depicting the one and only Mona Lisa, $599 to the first asking nicely . She WAS sleeping in a shaft of warm sunlight, but when I reached for my camera, I woke her up. She clearly was not pleased. Note that this is the only brush I've used to date on this painting. I like Big Butt Brushes (as we call them in my classes). Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com 

Paige, 6" x 8", commissioned tabby portrait done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, private collection (THANK YOU!).  Sometimes I flake. Today was one of those days.  I took a starting pic of Paige's portrait , then got to work. I was so busy painting away ( and dancing in my new shoes ), that I forgot to take any other pics until I was nearly done. Whoops! Hey, if you want a commission or gift certificate like Paige's, let me know ! Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com 

Quiet, 10" x 10", acrylics on museum quality panel depicting my studio muse, Mona Lisa. This painting is reserved for an exhibition and will be available for purchase in the future. SOLD. I used the same limited palette as yesterday - carbon black, pthalo blue green, titanium white, cadmium yellow medium, cadmium red medium, light magenta and light ultraviolet. I think there's also a couple pops of cadmium orange.  I made a slideshow of the in process photos. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com 

"Waving Hello (Tigerhugs)," 10" square, acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting The Man Child's best buddy from when he was more a child and less a man. In process photos are here , and if you love the end result, he needs a home - Tigerhugs is only $539 to the first one asking nicely. You can ask nicely via email to moi. This little guy was The Man Child's first best friend. When I found him tucked into a corner of the boys' room last week, it made me pine for our bedtime routine. We would snuggle under the eaves of their room, a sleepy boy tucked under each arm, and tackle a stack of books they both had memorized. I would snuggle with them, and they in turn had their own special snugglers (I'll have to find The Caped Crusader's little puppy.....). Tonite I'll be reading Sleeping Beauty and Jamberry before my own bedtime. Thanks for following along with my artwork,  Kim (who got the replacement 18"x24...