Paintings With Soul

ORDER NOTECARDS/REPRODUCTIONS FROM THE TAGS, TOYS & TREASURES SERIES OF PAINTINGS I've been painting candy still lifes in preparation for hanging an installation at Poppyseed Deli in downtown Lake Orion. You see, they've added an olde tyme candy counter to their space and wanted artwork to compliment it. Here are just a couple of the paintings I'll be delivering later next week. If you see something you like, shoot me an email - I'm going to keep my candy paintings under $100 (they are on canvas panels and 8" square or smaller). (PSST - I will be more than happy to paint your favorite flavor, too.) And now a shameless plug for Poppyseeds - they've got uber fresh sandwiches made to order, homemade soups, a fountain and coffee bar, ice cream and homebaked goods, and now penny candies (with inflation they are actually nickel candies.....). Poppyseeds shows family friendly movies on weeknights, has re-stocked their supply of board games, and sponsor ...

ORDER NOTECARDS & REPRODUCTIONS of "Victoria I" "Victoria I", 12" square, portrait of a vintage Madame Alexander doll, done in Golden Open and Heavy Body acrylics on a Raymar panel, collection of the artist. Growing up with four brothers, "pink" was a dirty word, and I wasn't terribly girlie. Victoria was loved on quietly, for fear of her being kidnapped and ransomed, or even worse, have a life ending accident like Barbie's encounter with a firecraker. Against the odds, Victoria survived to be the sole repository of my childhood dreams and secrets. And over the weekend, she visited in the studio, where we reminisced and talked about where the years had gone. To this day I have a sentimental heart, and adopt all discarded dolls found at flea markets and the such (or maybe it's residual guilt for leaving Barbie alone for 5 minutes). They get warm baths and a cozy spot in our home. And in the coming months, these dolls will get lov...

FROM TOP: "Kewpie Sitting" and "Kewpie Standing," both 8" square, acrylic on canvasboard, $150 each. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com .   Being as I spent most of today preparing invitations announcing my solo show coming up next month, I thought it would be appropriate to share two new paintings from the Tags & Treasures series.   Over the last year I've been collecting vintage toys and newer items that have a strong sense of whimsy and sentiment, and using them in simple still life settings. These kewpie dolls are just two of many that I have - I'm working my way through the stash of dolls, figurines, wind-up toys, game pieces, classic books, finger puppets, sock monkeys - you name it.   If you have a special item(s) you would like to see in paint, please contact me. We can arrange a loan or I could add it to this season's flea market wish list.   Meanwhile thanks for sharing my days! Happy weekend, ...