Paintings With Soul

"Balancing Act," 24" x 9", acrylics on museum quality panel, featuring none other than Salvador Doggie practicing his mad balancing skills with a few holiday ornaments. This original painting is lush with drips and thick swaths of paint, and then there's those innocent eyes. Don't believe him, Santa, he's not that good...... "Balancing Act" can be yours for $549 + s&h - as always, inquiries may come to me . Thinking about balance today, what we believe we can do vs actual truth.  I am rabidly optimistic, and believe I can totally balance a cairn of ornaments on my head. While standing on one leg, too, no less. So why can't Sal? 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 order...

"Salvador Doggie (Sal)," 24" x 48", acrylics, charcoal and ink on panel, featuring my newest muse, a rescued mixed breed. Details and in process pics are on Facebook , and I think the color there is far more representative of the painting. This piece is $1499, a total deal for the giant serving of joy it will bring, and that price includes shipping inside the US (I also ship worldwide for a small fee) - inquiries may always come  to me . Sal joined our family over the weekend. He came via a rescue organization and we know nothing about his past except that whoever it was who dumped him lost out big. He's a dear rat terrier mix with the brightest eyes and a wiggle butt who goes from 100mph to stop at the sign of a lap. Or a cookie. Didn't take him long to hit my easel, and I think his portrait sits as a great example of what I could do with your dog..... just think about it, then reach out if it's something you think you want to pursue! T...

"Macy's Chicken," 8" x 10", acrylics on museum quality panel, commissioned portrait of a terrier. One of my last holiday commissions needing shipment! things are all on track, at least for the moment. Tomorrow night is our town's holiday parade (apparently the largest lighted holiday parade in the country), and both The Caped Crusader and The Princess will be marching, a first for us. The weather promises to be mild, and I'm looking forward to catching a little holiday cheer without risking frostbite like last year. And I won't lie, the best part will be seeing The Caped Crusader in a milkshake costume - he's marching with the Culver's contingent (the local fast food restaurant and his employer). Hmmm, maybe a pic of that will make our Christmas card this year...... Wishing you a wonderful weekend! Thanks for your interest in my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Harry," a painted sketch, roughly 4" x 5" centered on a 9" x 12" mixed media paper, acrylics, private collection (THANK YOU!). As always, inquires may always come directly  to me .  As if it's not enough pressure, having to paint something pretty much every day AND share it via my email blast and blog, tomorrow I have raised the bar on myself. Yes, I am a glutton for punishment. I will be joined in the studio by a videographer. Her assignment? To film the creation, start to finish, of a painting. God I hope I sleep tonite. Nobody wants to see me with major bags under my eyes, all crabbing out at the easel, because I can't make the paint go where it's supposed to. Let's hope things don't play out that way! Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork! Warmly, Kim   ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

You can 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 not an expert on operating systems, so if you don't know how to change your desktop wallpaper, please don't email me - I will indubitably steer you wrong. Your computer's help files will be more concise, more knowledgeable and more responsive than I could ever hope to be.  I've sized this to fit a standard screen height of 768 - I realize there are lots of variables that could impact how the 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 options such as "stretching to fit," "tiling" and "cropping" will impact your display, so check those first!). Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim

"Betty," painted sketch approximately 4" wide, roughly centered on a 9" x 12" paper, depicting a sweet little Yorkie, private collection (THANK YOU).  View Other Recent Sketches I can't put it off any longer. The Princess's summer vacation starts in 1-1/2 days. And while I'd like to swath her in lots of loose layers, summer temperatures have finally arrived.  Which means I get to go swim suit shopping. Today. Do you know how difficult it is to find age appropriate beach wear for a 13 year old? Here's hoping the stars are aligned. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim PS Not sure who this embarrasses more - her or me, but she's one bra size smaller than her mother. At 13. Ouch.

"Gidget," 8" x 10", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting shaggy little blonde puppy. This painting is available for $469 to the first one asking nicely. VIEW IN PROCESS PHOTOS Someone who will remain nameless has been giving me grief. Apparently I'm not painting enough dogs to suite her taste. She bullied me into this. I hope she's happy now. Maybe she'll leave me alone tomorrow. Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com 

"Lucky," 5" x 7," acrylics on a museum quality panel, commissioned portrait featuring a terrier-chihuahua mixed breed, private collection (THANK YOU!). In process photos can be viewed here . Inquiries may come to me . Lucky was found on the side of the road 16 years ago. Since then he has fully enjoyed life, hiking mountains, playing tug-of-war, waiting by the door for his kids to come home from school, snuggling and watching tv, digging up carrots from the garden and chasing squirrels. His family is readying to say goodbye and relishing the days they have left together. It was my honor to paint him before his final journey. Travel safely, my friend. Thanks as always for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

    IN PROCESS, Triple Threat, 12" x 22", commissioned portrait depicting a family of little troublemakers (Yorkshire Terrier and Yorkie mixes), done in acrylics on a museum quality panel. This one is heading to it's new home as soon as it dries, but  ask  about having your own pets memorialized in an original painting!     I was angered yesterday to learn of yet another "artist" who copies others' artwork and presents it as their own. And a so-called "artist" selling original oil painting portraits that are really photos run through a computerized filter printed on canvas and coated with varnish. And a company that's made a habit for years of stealing artists' designs and selling them as their own.   It seems like there's no shortage of people trying to make a buck off another's hard work.   I'm sending warm thoughts to my friends and colleagues who are preparing for copyright battles - and thinkin...

    "Smitty's Ball," from the "Play Ball" series, 6" x 8", acrylic on museum quality panel, portrait of a Jack Russel terrier with his favorite toy, $329.  Inquiries may come  to me. SOLD.   In process pics of Smitty are  on Facebook , and  prints of this gem  will be available for the next week (through Friday, July 5th, 2013).   I'm also still accepting photos for more dogs and balls - submit your pics to me  via email .  By submitting photos, you are ascertaining that you are the photographer and have the right to grant me permission to create derivative paintings from said photos.   Thanks so much! These "Play Ball" paintings are simply fabulous - look at all the inspiration YOU have shared!!   Thanks for supporting my artwork! Enjoy your weekend, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Play Ball Prints Available   Click on the image below for orderin...

    "Emma," 5" x 7", commissioned portrait of the cutest terrier ever, acrylics on museum quality panel, private collection (THANK YOU!!!).   I can absolutely paint your dog (or cat or horse or bunny or guinea pig) - inquiries may come  to me !   Commissioned portraits start at $209, and are one of the best ways ever to commemorate your relationship with a beloved pet. Gift certificates available, too, so that the recipient can be involved in the process of choosing reference materials and building the composition.   (Ahem, Father's Day is coming up, hint hint)   Thanks so much for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   PS  Those of you who have painted with me in the past - do you see how Emma is "White-ish"? there isn't a speck of pure white pigment on her - everything is relative!!

  "Steffi," 5" x 7", commissioned portrait of a much loved and dearly missed Westie, acrylics on museum quality panel, private collection (THANK YOU!!). Inquiries may always come   to me .     Who would have thought the ratty doll I picked up at a flea market would elicit such great conversation?!   Does art HAVE to be comfortable or easy to look at?   Why are dolls creepy for so many and yet for others the keystone to a sentimental memory?   How does scale impact our comfort zone with respect to certain objects?   And most importantly, is she an evil talisman or just a sweet little thing?   Please chime in!   And she needs a title, too. I'm drawing a complete and total blank. She must be sucking my brains out in my sleep......   Thanks so much for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   This poster was created specif...

      "Tilly," 5" x 7", commissioned portrait of a terrier, done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, private collection (THANK YOU!).   Don't those eyebrows just drive you crazy with love?   Stay warm this weekend, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    

      "Henry," 6" square, acrylics on museum quality panel, a commissioned portrait of, well, of Henry. Private collection (THANK YOU!).   Henry's in process  here  on the studio's Facebook page.   Inquiries are always welcomed - yes, I can do something similar for you - shoot an email  in my direction .     Henry's Grandma has two favorite animal painters and couldn't choose who she wanted to paint his likeness, so she extended an invitation to the both of us.   I was pleased to hear that  Karen Mathison Schmidt  was the other artist. I'm an admirer of her work, and this gave me an excuse to introduce myseld and ask to be her friend.   She said yes, BTW.   And, she'll be sharing her version of Henry later today  on her blog , too.   I can't wait to see what she did with his cute little face, Kim  

  Detail of "Runt," in process - you can see my struggles with this little one on the  studio's Facebook page . Poor "Runt" is a perfect example of not having a solid painting concept when I picked up my brushes.   That, and my palette was starting to dry out, but I still had a mess of paint laid out I didn't want to waste. So my lack of a plan was further complicated by forcing goo-ey paint to move more than it wanted to.   See? Even I have rough days and make mistakes.   After 1343 paintings.   You think I'd've learned something by now!!   I will save this painting, but after I take a break and can approach her with a fresh eye. Meanwhile, tomorrow I'm going to work on a commissioned piece. With a solid gameplan.   Thanks, as always, for supporting and following along with my artwork! Kim  ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   Inspired   ...

"Bed Head (Muffin)," from the "Cherished" series of paintings, 11" x 14", acrylic on museum quality panel, $599 to the first one asking nicely. That is, if Muffin's family decides to pass on the painting - they get first dibs. SOLD. "Pleases" and "Mother May I's" can come  to me , and I'll start a wait list for Little Miss Muffin. In process views of "Bed Head" can be seen on  the studio's Facebook page . Muffin was part of a litter found by the Humane Society in a coal mine. She's now enjoying a wonderful life with her adoptive family. There are so many wonderful animals waiting for their forever homes in shelters across the world.  Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Other Possible Titles Over on Facebook earlier today I asked for he...

  "Kepler," nearly 5" x 7" roughly centered on an 8" x 10" paper, commissioned portrait, private collection (THANK YOU!). Inquiries may come  to me .       Kepler hailed from a shelter, and while it wasn't love at first sight, it was most certainly a connection forged by a love for her ceaseless spirit, ridiculous sense of humor and oodles of charm.   This is her "How good am I?" look, just one of the many tricks she's learned will earn her a cookie and some loving. Of course, she doesn't do it on demand - only when she's jonesing for a cookie.   (In progress shots are on  the studio Facebook page .)   I'm excited to actually get to meet Kepler when her parents come to collect her painting - I don't often get to meet my muses.   I should probably go get some more dog biscuits, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com     One of this years Dog a Day  Valentine Giveaway entries.....  how on earth am I goi...