Paintings With Soul

Tiny Dancer I, 24" x 48", acrylics on panel, $1499 plus s&h. Inquiries may come   to me . I have no idea what I'm doing in the studio anymore. I mean, I know I am painting, and obviously I'm painting figures, but other than that, it's a crap shot. I start with a certain idea in my head, like a little girl in a white tutu, and the rest of the composition reveals itself as I go along. This is entirely different than painting portraits and working directly with clients who expect a certain thing. When I'm painting a commission, the end result is predetermined and my progress (including knowing when the piece is done) is measurable. With my girls, it's not so obvious. I take them so far, and then wait to see what they have to say about it. Often it takes weeks before I realize, aha!, there isn't enough contrast/my color is too saturated/the ground and figure need to be more fully integrated/something else altogether. I'm learning to be ok ...

AT TOP, completed, and below in process, "In the Wings," 8" x 10", a portrait of The Princess in one of her ballet costumes, painted in acrylics on museum quality panel. Inquiries may come  to me  - I'm not sure I'll be able to part with this one, despite having many paintings of her already. This is what I accomplished late last nite. Again, I challenged myself to paint the light. Of course, there were other challenges too. A football scrimmage, dance class, volunteer hours, orientation at two different school buildings. Never a dull moment in these parts. That's why I love my life so very much! In process pics on  the studio Facebook page . Thanks so much for following along with my work, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

    "Masquerade," 6" x 8", portrait of three young dancers on stage, inspired by the young ladies at  Broadway Dance Co  (where The Princess studies). This is acrylics on museum quality panel and is available to the first asking nicely for $329 - inquiries can come  to moi !    Last nite I found myself with a couple hours to do whatever I wanted. That was a tough one!! I headed straight to the easel and created Masquerade - it's time on the easel was relatively short lived, but this composition had been in my head for over a month, and the idea itself has been percolating for several years.   But inquiring minds always want to know how long did this take to paint?   The painting process cannot be measured or valued by a number of minutes. Making art is a lifelong process of seeing and questioning and filtering and experimenting, building up cumulative knowledge and filling those visual memory banks. ...

    "Warrior Princess," 6" x13", portrait of my daughter and friends, acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a scene from their group ballet number of the same title, collection of The Princess.   I wish wish wish wish wish wish wish wish I had paid better attention in my life drawing classes many moons ago. Because now this sort of stuff - drawing my kids doing the things they love - would be so much easier.   In process pictures are on  the studio's Facebook page  along with.....   The Dog a Day Valentine's Day Giveaway finalists !   Go take a peek and see if you can predict who I'm going to paint on Thursday (honestly, I don't know yet!!)   Fondly,  Kim, who wants to start a new painting now but her calendar is full of other things. Wah.  

    IN PROCESS:  "Warrior Princess," 6" x13", an ongoing portrait of The Princess and her partners in crime (yet to be added to the piece), done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a group of ballerinas I've grown to love, collection of The Princess.   I spent the weekend at my second dance competition, surrounded by the most fabulous costumes and music and elegance, and the whole time my hands itched to hold brushes and bring it all to life.   So tonite, after yet another snow day and a houseful of kiddos, I indulged.   I am sipping wine during the evening as I continue working on this piece (and hoping hoping hoping that everyone gets on the bus tomorrow morning!) - and I'll post lots of pictures to  the studio's Facebook page  (not of the victorious moment at the busstop, but of what plays out in the studio tonite). Thank you for following along.   And before I get 100 requests - t...

      "Dress Rehearsal," 8" x 12", acrylic on museum quality panel, depicting The Princess and a few cohorts in costume. This painting is not for sale.   I've uploaded plenty of in process pics  on the studio's Facebook page .   This is quite a diversion from my usual subject matter, I know, but spending a full day with these ladies earlier this week was too inspiring to let linger for long. I plan to do reproductions with this image as a fundraiser for her dance studio, so stay tuned.   And just you wait until I paint her "Warrior Princess" costume - a turquoise tutu topped with an embroidered magenta silk kimono.   Inquiries are always welcomed - shoot an email  in my direction . The Princess  joined a dance team over the summer, and this weekend marks her first competition.   So last nite and into the wee hours, instead of packing suitcases and inventorying cost...