Paintings With Soul

"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.

CONTINUED 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 am composing this newsletter from a new computer - not everything is set up yet, but I'm slowly migrating and converting files, reconfiguring as I go. And when my brain screams "NO MORE COMPUTER STUFF!" I just pick up my brushes and work on these guys. I'm thrilled with how they are progressing. And so is their family, which matters even more! In process pics, along with detail shots, are over here on Facebook . Thanks as always for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Muffin, 8" x 8", acrylics on museum quality panel, commissioned portrait of a Yorkshire Terrier, private collection (THANK YOU!!). I am completing a limited number of pet portraits in time for the holidays - please  inquire  today!!     This painting is a surprise, so sssshhhh!! I'm looking forward to hearing all about the reveal, though!!   In process pics of Muffin's portrait are on  the studio Facebook page . But remember, mums the word!   Thanks so much for following along with my work, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

  "Oscar," 6" x 6", commissioned portrait of a little yorkie, done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, private collection (THANK YOU!). I always welcome inquiries on how you can commission a portrait of your own -  email me .       Oscar came to the rescue with a fierce infection in his mouth, and ended up losing a good chunk of his jaw.   But he did win the hearts of his eventual forever family in the process.   Thanks so much for following along with my artwork! Don't forget, next week is Derby Week, so grab your fancy hat and get ready for equine paintings!   Enjoy the weekend, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

    "Liam," 6" square, acrylic on museum quality panel, depicting a cherished little yorkie, commissioned dog portrait, private collection (THANK YOU!).   However, I can paint something just as charming especially for you -  inquire , please, and keep me out of trouble!   I painted Liam back in February, but he was a birthday gift and I couldn't share until now. Who said I couldn't keep a secret?!   I'm busy working on another secret today - actually, a couple of them! I love it, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

      "Romeo," 24" square, acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a very personable Yorkshire Terrier. This is a commissioned portrait, and as such, has a home already, thank you very much.   In process pics of Romeo are  here .   If you want to talk about commissioning something extra special and extra large -  email me . I love to talk about this sort of stuff!     Romeo's painting is so large (the periwinkle underpainting was done with a house painting brush) that I made a special trip this morning to purchase bigger paint brushes.   Go big or go home, right? Fondly, Kim    

      "Dandy," 6" x 12", acrylic on museum quality panel, depicting a lively Yorkshire Terrier, $369. This painting would be a fantastic gift for a Yorkie Mom or a wonderful donation for a fundraiser. I imagine he will find a home quickly, so if you are interested in purchasing, please email me .   I messed up big time when I started Dandy - photos and documentation of one of my most common (and frustrating mistakes) are over on  the studio's Facebook page .   You know, there's gorgeous artwork on the walls of galleries and museums, but don't forget that this is the censored version of artists' production. The next time you look at a finished painting, remember that there were many other pieces that went straight from the easel to the trash.   Fondly, Kim, who's off to empty her trash bin ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com     Share the Dog a Day love and forward this email to a friend ...

        "Nina II,"** 6" square, commissioned Yorkie portrait, done in acrylics on a panel. Thank you very much to Nina's Mom, aka My Newest Collector, for bringing her special little one into the studio.  Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue  will be receiving a donation in Nina's memory from me as well.   Nina crossed the Bridge at the end of this summer after a brave bout with brain cancer, and her family misses her terribly.    I can't help but think of all the families who's hearts are missing someone this holiday season. I'm sending extra love out into the universe, hoping it settles into at least a couple of those households who are needing it.   Thank you so much for supporting my artwork and providing my livelihood, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   **"Nina I" is literally underneath "Nina II" - I've gotta come clean - there are times I don't get the likeness just right, and need a do-over. This was one ...

  "Radar," painted sketch and commissioned portrait of a Yorkshire Terrier, done in acrylics on paper. Radar's portrait is headed to his new home next week.   No time to chat today - I'm headed to the library quickly, then over to parent teacher conferences, then running the basketball carpool and finally off to my grownUPs Journalling class this evening.   Hoping YOU get to come home and put your feet up. I'll be thinking of you!   Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com      

  Detail of "Duke," commissioned sketch of a Yorkshire Terrier, image approximately 4" x 5", roughly centered on a 10" x 8" piece of multimedia artboard. Duke is headed to his new home next week (THANK YOU!), but I would be more than happy to create something similar for you. Just  shoot me a line !   Busy days in deed, working on holiday commissions and trying to keep up with stuff like exhibition planning, packing and shipping, writing lesson plans, coordinating marketing and materials, updating websites, finishing off all the Halloween candy and the other sorts of things that happen inside a small business.   I need me a clone or two. Or three, because then I'd be caught up on laundry and have a clean house, too!   Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com     Handmade Books   I took a book making class last year, and every few months we re-convene and swap out newly handmade cr...

ORDER NOTECARDS/REPRODUCTIONS "Moppet," from The Gratitude Project , companion piece to yesterday's portrait of "Dixie," 6" square, commissioned portrait of a rescued Yorkshire Terrier, done in Golden Open Acrylics on gessobord, private collection (THANK YOU!!). As with all the paintings in "The Gratitude Project," proceeds from the sale of Moppet's portrait will benefit Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue . Both Moppet and Dixie were understandably terrified of the camera (did you read their story ?), so there was some coaching and training that went on behind the scenes. The idea was to gradually desensitize the dogs' to the camera and reinforce their newfound trust in their caregivers. Their Mom began by associating the camera with treats - a smidge of peanut butter or a morsel of chicken, along with lots of petting and kind words. No picture taking, just nosing around the camera, smelling good things, and getting loved on. Onc...

ORDER NOTECARDS/REPRODUCTIONS "Dixie," from The Gratitude Project , 6" square, commissioned portrait of a rescued Yorkshire Terrier, done in Golden Open Acrylics on gessobord, private collection (THANK YOU!!). As with all the paintings in "The Gratitude Project," proceeds from the sale of Dixie's portrait will benefit Yorkshire Terrier rescue. Dixie and her sidekick Moppet (whom you'll meet tomorrow) came to their family through Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue . They came to their foster home, which quickly became their forever home, after spending 7 years at a farm where they received no socialization and experienced no human interaction (other than to have food dumped into their enclosure). Males and females were allowed to breed at will, and offending dogs were debarked. Upon her arrival, Dixie was so terrified that she would lay perfectly still in her dog bed, never looking up, for hours at a time. When brought outside, she would run to th...

ORDER NOTECARDS & REPRODUCTIONS "Gabby," from The Gratitude Project **, 4" square, pet portrait depicting another special Yorkshire Terrier. This painting was done in Golden Open Acrylics on an Ampersand Gessobord and will shortly be headed to her new home along with big sister Lucy's (and this is probably the first time that 2lb 3oz Lucy has been called "big"). Additionally, proceeds from the sale of Gabby's portrait will benefit Rescue Me Yorkie Rescue . I invite you to visit their website, and if you are so inclined or able, make a donation to further their cause. Gabby was born with no bladder, all of her abdominal organs jumbled out of position, a full hard and soft cleft palette (an opening the width of a pencil through her mouth all the way into her sinuses from right behind her front teeth to the back of her throat) and a tongue that was too long for her mouth. Gabby had enough spunk for a dozen Yorkies, surviving and captivating and...

ORDER NOTECARDS OR REPRODUCTIONS "Lucy in the Sky....," from The Gratitude Project , 5" square, dog portrait depicting a very, very special Yorkshire Terrier (read below). This painting was done in Golden Open Acrylics on an Ampersand Gessobord and is headed to her new home shortly (THANK YOU!). Additionally, proceeds from the sale of Lucy's portrait will benefit Retro Doggy Rescue , the group that saved Lucy and works with many other special needs dogs. Lucy's Mom says, " L ucy was born with multiple birth defects including AAI (atlanto-axial instability - her skull never connected to her neck - hence her colorful cervical collar she wears 24/7 for support), an open fontanel (hole) in her forehead the size of my thumb and liver disfunction (she follows a strictly vegan lifestyle since she cannot process meat or dairy protein). When she was born, Lucy could not even roll over. Nonetheless, with intensive hydrotherapy, regular accupuncture and dietary s...