Paintings With Soul

I'm taking a little break between commissions today, and thought I would try to combine my recent flower studies with a dog portrait. There's so much potential with this process! I have all sorts of ideas as to how I want to take the flowers/loose and bold painting approach and integrate it into my own style. The above piece is 12" x 16", acrylics with pastel accents on a museum quality panel. It can be yours for $399 - there's only one original, and the first one asking nicely gets it! Email me . Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

ABOVE, Detail of "Rusty," 18" x 24", acrylics on museum quality panel, a commissioned portrait of a yellow labrador retriever in the snow. Scroll below for a complete view along with some other, tighter detail shots - the painting is dense with subtlety and nuance. Rusty has a home (thank you so much) - but I am currently accepting a few commissions, so please email  if you are interested in talking about a custom project. I am very grateful to my collectors who gave me total artistic license to create using Rusty as muse. It feels like a collaboration of sorts - their trust and belief fueled me to push boundaries like never before. It's a remarkable sort of partnership. Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Queenie," 8" x 12", acrylics on copper panel, portrait of a very relaxed yellow labrador retriever, $849 to the first asking nicely. Here's an in process video where you can better appreciate the play of light on this painting. Inquiries may come to me .  I worked a little more on Annie's latest portrait last nite and made a mess of things (photo in above link conveniently taken prior to mess being made). So today I wanted to tackle a painting that was firmly entrenched in my comfort zone. Enter Queenie, from a friend's photo I have been wanting to paint for years (thank you Jen!). And of course I take my sweet old time with this one, savoring every brushmark, doing it all by the book, thinking it's all finished, scan it, and only THEN do I see some changes I want to make.  Grumble, grumble, grumble. Thanks for your interest in my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

I cleaned out my small painting storage yesterday and found a few pieces that I really loved, which, for whatever reason, have not yet found homes. Which means that you win, because I decided to mark those pieces with special pricing, in the hopes of them finding good homes. Adopting a painting is a great way to being love and smiles into your home. And there's no litter box cleaning, poop patrol, or pasture picking involved. Complete info is here . Enjoy your weekend and thank you so much for your interest in my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

"Webster," 6" x 8", acrylics on museum quality panel, a commissioned portrait of a Yellow Lab. Webster's portrait has a home, thank you very much to my returning collectors. If you are thinking about a pet portrait as a holiday gift, now is the time to start a conversation. The process takes several weeks, and this is my busiest time of year - once I'm booked, I'm booked! I also do gift certificates if you would rather gift the whole commission experience and spare yourself sneaking around getting photos (or if I happen to be booked and cannot guarantee holiday delivery). But that's not going to happen if we  talk now  and get things started. It was homecoming weekend in Lake Orion. Or Hoco if you're young and hip. The Princesses first and The Caped Crusader's last. I spent lots of time with them and their friends, and very little time in the studio. One of those rare studio-free weekends, because soon the hol...

The following paintings are available for purchase directly from my studio. These original works, unless noted, are acrylic on museum quality panel. All prices include s&h within the US. Multiple paintings can typically be shipped together, returning collectors receive 10% off purchases, and I do accept payment plans (6 month plan with art shipped upon completion of payments).  Links to reproductions and other products are at the bottom of this newsletter.  Thanks so much for your interest in my artwork!  Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com "Nicker," 16" x 16" x 2" (note that this piece is on a cradeled panel, with the image wrapped around the sides), $999. Inquire directly to me . "Momma's Got Your Back," 10" x 12", $599. Inquire directly to me . "Blue Gypsies," 12" x 12", $599. Inquire directly to me . ...

"Silly Old Dog," 11" x 14", acrylics on panel, depicting Gracie, our neighbor's lab mix. This painting is done in Golden acrylics on an Ampersand gessobord and can be yours for $599, including s&h within the contiguous US. In process photos are on the Studio FB page . pARTy details are here . Inquires may come directly to me .  Let's Make a Habit of pARTy-ing Zevon's pARTy was well attended  (and is still ongoing until the end of this month!). I got so many great compliments about the opportunity, that I decided to host another! If you are new to the concept, it's simple - someone shares the rights to one of their photographs, and challenges creatives to make artwork inspired by the photo. All of the work is then displayed collectively, for the whole world to see the variety of interpretations and possibilities resulting from the one image. I've chosen my neighbor's dog Gracie as our next pARTy guest. The...

"Silly Old Girl" 11" x 14", acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a my neighbor's sweet old girl, Gracie May. This painting can be yours for $599, which includes s&h inside the US. And in case you didn't see them, in process photos are here  . Inquires may come directly to me .  'll admit it, I spent a good amount of this morning sitting on the couch, mesmerized by the falling snow. Not sure it it was because of it's insane beauty, or because I couldn't believe it's STILL snowing, but it is what it is, and i will own that. Meanwhile, later in the day, after catching up on email (which may or may not have been done in pajamas, via my ipad, from the couch, while the snow fell), I started this new piece, inspired by Gracie, a muse of 10+ years. You see, after having coffee and other goodies yesterday morning at her house, she played this coy game when I got up to leave. She didn't want to have to get up ...

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

From 2005, a gallery stretched painting titled "Pleased to Meet You (Introductions)," a lifesized portrait (20" x 18") of three labs.  All week long, I've been sharing older paintings, talking about what I would do differently today. It's been a great process - really reminding me that, despite my own feelings that I don't know much about painting, I actually do know quite a bit more than I did just a few short years ago. Today's painting, well, if I were to tackle this one again, I simply would choose not to paint it at all. The composition is so bad. The idea is fantastic, but I allowed myself to fall in love with the idea instead of the execution. That's impetuousness for you! But I'll critique it anyway: 1. Compositionally, there is a nice central point, but the yellow dog's head is a tough read, and the chocolate's front leg is awkwardly cropped. Furthermore, the black dog's back mim...

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

Excuse me? for real? it's December?  To implement this month's desktop calendar, 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 by no means an expert on the variety of operating systems, so I highly recommend that if you don't know how to change your desktop wallpaper, don't email me for advice. Instead consult your computer's help files - they 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!)....

"Poppy," 8" x 12", acrylics on a museum quality panel, gorgeously framed and well-traveled. Poppy's been displayed in exhibitions around the country, and has recently returned to the studio. She's ready for a home - inquiries may come to me . Today there's a Christmas gift on my easel, and I can't share because the recipient is a fan and follower. I have just a few pre-holiday spots left. So speak up now if you want to gift an actual painting - once my calendar is full, I'll be offering gift certificates through the end of the year. Thanks as always for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

    At Peace (Gracie May), 12" x 18", depicting our neighbor's dog. I started this painting at my Dragon on the Lake demo in August of this year - it was a hot and windy day, which led to a little excitement as I painted with one hand steadying the canvas on my easel. Today Gracie made it to my studio easel for the finishing touches. This painting can be yours for $639. Inquiries may come  to me .     On any given day I can peek out my studio window and catch a glimpse of Gracie May sunning herself at her home across the street. Usually with a shoe nearby.   A rescued dog, Gracie's of uncertain ancestry - she's much taller and lighter boned than a typical lab, but has their sweet disposition and fondness for cookies. Lumpy and stiff with arthritis, her tail thumps upon your approach and she rolls for a good belly rub.   If I'm especially lucky, she'll get up, drop her head, wiggle her butt, and howl with anticipation when ...

Sprinkler, 12" x 16," the newest Water Dog painting starring a very wet yellow lab, acrylics on museum quality panel, $629. Inquiries may come  to me .     It was tedious, getting each of those droplets painted, but I cranked up a new symphonic playlist that The Man Child inspired (including Khachaturian's  Waltz from Maskarade , Mussagorsky's  Pictures at An Exhibition , and Shostakovich 's Waltzs among others) and had a grande time.   Comment on the painting's progression over on FB, where  there's lots of in process photos .   Happy weekend, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Untitled and in process, 12" x 16," depiction of a yellow lab playing in the sprinkler (sprinkler not yet painted!), done in acrylics on museum quality panel, $629. Inquiries may come  to me .     Last night at my demo, I was so eager to talk painting that I completely flaked on taking photos!! But this is what I started and includes a couple hours of additional work today - I'm taking a little break for chocolate before starting on the water droplets.    Comment on the progression over on FB, where  I'm sharing photos of the painting  over the course of the day. Feel free to chime in on a title over there too!!   We talked about color and value, committing to becoming a better artist, setting realistic goals to make that happen, using photos (only with permission!) for inspiration and allowing a dialogue with the composition that fosters artistic license, and the importance of good footwear (I was sporting a favorite pai...

IN PROCESS, "At Peace (Gracie)," 18" x 12", a portrait of light (and my neighbor's much beloved Gracie May), painted in acrylics on museum quality panel, $639 when completed. Inquiries may come  to me .     What a great weekend spent at Dragon on the Lake, the summertime festival my local town hosts!   This year in addition to our involvement with The Princess's Dance team, I was invited to paint live in the middle of the art fair.   And "At Peace" is the painting I started yesterday.    It was very warm with gusty winds - winds that lifted my easel at one point and threatened to topple it. There was lots of spritzing my palette to keep the paints dry and one hand steadying the large panel with each wind gust.   I'll spend a bit more time with her before she's finished - but she does have a lovely glow. And it was no accident that I chose to work on a painting that was more about light than the su...

    "Nana Nana Na Na," (must be read in a sing-song voice for full effect), the latest in The Play Ball Series, 5-1/2" x 14", portrait of two goofballs (a Golden Retriever and Yellow Lab), done in acrylics on museum quality panel, $499 to the first  asking me nicely .   And true to my pledge with the other Play Ball paintings, reproductions will be available for the next week. After next Friday, prints will not be available until the original painting sells. So.....  order prints here !!   Per the norm, in process photos are  on Facebook , including a detail of the dogs' faces. (And for the record, that squiggley white line you may see in the image above is NOT in the painting - it's a photoshop extra from stitching together a hi res scan, then downsizing for the blog!!)   Thank YOU so much for following along with my paintings! Happy weekend!! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com