Paintings With Soul

On top, "Charlotte," 12" x 14", beagle-mix pet portrait in process, private collection. On bottom, working title "Cat Nap," 16" x 20" cattle dog/blue heeler pet portrait, work in process. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . It’s been one of those days where, despite accomplishing a tremendous amount, I do not have a finished piece to show you. I started out working on Charlotte’s 12x14 portrait (the beagle mix), knowing that if I put another layer of glaze down, I could use the drying time to work on another piece. Which is what I did. Then, because today is “Take Your Dog to Work Day,” I thought I would paint Finnigan (my cattle dog). But instead of choosing something new, I went back into an older 16 x 20 sized piece (see April 2nd). SIDE NOTE: By the way, this painting did get juried into the Masterpiece Arts show, which ended in May. However, I continued to be bothered by the background and how flat Finni seemed to be, and could...

"Finnigan," 8" square, painted by The Princess, casein on museum quality panel, depicting our very own Finnigan Jones Santini, not for sale. The Princess painted beside me in the studio on Monday and Tuesday. She generously offered to share her piece via the newsletter and blog so that I could take a guilt-free day off this week (she knows me too well!). And then she upped the ante even more by secretly wrapping the painting and tucking it under the tree. With my name on it. So that's the story of our own Christmas reveal and my newest acquisition. I just love it!! Thanks, as always, for sharing the journey, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

"Sweet Dreams," 8" square, acrylic on canvasboard, collection of the artist. Inquiries may always come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . We really got our dog Finnigan for our son Evan. Evan's first word was "dog." My feelings were hurt, but only for a minute, because I realized I had a dog-loving soulmate. BF (Before Finnigan), we were a cat household. As much as I loved dogs, I had been unable to convince my husband of the same. All he saw was poop getting tracked into the house by little shoes, those tell-tale yellow spots in the lawn, and a housesitter (or kennel) each time we went away. But Evan persisted. And persisted. And persisted. Finni (a blue heeler cattle dog mix) has been around for years now, but from the very beginning, he knew Evan was his partner in crime. He herded Evan and his buddies around the yard, then graduated to accompanying him on hikes and bike rides. Evan's taught him to play tag football (Finni is a great cornerback) an...

"Finnigan," 11" x 14", mixed media on bristol board, not for sale. Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me . When I'm not doing pet portraits, chances are I'm doing something I call "creative journalling." Creative journals are today's equivalent of a diary, a combination of journalling, drawing, and painting - a means of collecting ideas that are both textually and visually based. I keep several journals which are places I can safely commit my ideas, without fear of reprimand or criticisms. Creative journalling is especially keyed towards younger souls - those who don't yet have a total grasp of vocabulary or representational skills to completely express their ideas in one direction or the other (text vs visual). They are also a perfect match for those interested in expressing ideas exclusive of pure verbage. Creative journalling is the best p...

"Blue Heeler (Finnigan)," 5" x 7", Australian Cattle Dog portrait in acrylic on Ampersand Gessoboard. Inquiries may always come to me . It's been a long time since I last painted Finnigan (my dog), and when I found myself facing a later painting time slot this evening and wanting to experiment with a new surface (the Ampersand Gessoboard), I thought it would be in my best interest to stick with something well known. As to the dog, those of you who don't know him, Finni is a blue heeler mix, high strung and a little neurotic, but the most honest and willing guy you'll ever meet. His inky dark mask is a little askew, and his merle shifts from violet to pinks depending upon the light. As to the surface, well, I've been looking for a museum-quality panel to replace the canvasboards I've used for the Dog a Day paintings these last few years. I may have found it in the Ampersand Gessoboard. I picked a few up this morning at Utrecht, and will play w...

The Caped Crusader (my middle child) was enamored with dogs from the very beginning. We were so excited to welcome a puppy into our family when he was old enough to help out. We chose a cattle dog mix because we wanted a clever guy with enough energy to keep up with our boy who never stopped. Finnigan and The Caped Crusader had some pretty amazing adventures together - they got into all sorts of trouble, like any dynamic duo should. Finnigan has slowed down - at over 16, he's earned that right - but he remains eager to accompany one of the kids on whatever adventure they propose, whether it's a good couch snuggle or a drive to Starbucks. It's hard to summon up any memory of my kids' childhood that doesn't also feature this guy. Thankfully, over the years I have accumulated a number of paintings that will keep the memories bright once he is no longer welcoming us home. Pictured above are two pieces from my personal collection. I'm curious to l...

    ORDER NOTECARDS/REPRODUCTIONS     "Balance," 6" square, Golden Open Acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord, a portrait loosely based on my blue heeler cattle dog mix, Finnigan. This is also my entry for the Daily Paintworks' Challeng e of last week (the challenge also titled "Balance"), and will be headed to the Canine Art Guild's July online exhibition, "Ying Yang." This original painting can be yours for $299.   Balance seems to be the theme du jour.   Today's the first day of my kids' summer vacation.   Want a little "Balance" in your life?  email me  and we'll work something out!   Thanks for looking at - and sharing - my artwork with your friends and family, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com     Mona to Finnigan after the photo shoot that  inspired "Balance": "You do all these  ridiculous  tricks to get a treat. All I gotta do is look cute.  And everyone thinks YOU are smart. Hah....

    "Blue Heeler," 12" x 16", done in acrylics on a museum quailty panel, portrait of Finnigan, the eldest four legged Santini.   This painting is not for sale - I've got big plans (including time on my own family room wall) - however, if you want something similar starring your own pet, send me a non-flash close-up in-focus photo and we'll get things started.   Photos and inquiries should come  here .**         **Paintings in this patterned style are offered 8"x10" and larger, starting at $469 for one face on a simple ground, with a non-refundable $100 retainer. And yes, I am more than happy to set up payment plans!  Let's discuss your portrait. I visited the  Detroit Institute of Arts  this last weekend and realized that my favorite paintings were simple and direct.   I tried that approach in this one, an homage to  Odilon Redon's  ...

It's hard work, decorating for the Holly-Days. Tires a sweet little kitten plumb out. So while Mona Bug (and Finni too!) catches up on her beauty sleep, I'm working on two other portraits, companion pieces to yesterday's "Couch Potato (Sophia)." Meanwhile, enjoy the "Siblings" slideshow of Finnigan and Mona Lisa. Thank YOU for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family - Wishing you a very happy holiday season - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Finnigan: "hmmm, I don't think I've thoroughly smelled this end yet....." "Yum, she's got nasty smelling fish breath!" "But now, what's she doing, what's she doing...?! OH NO!!" "MOM! Mona's touching me!!" The Third Book!! Over the weekend I completed - and published - my newest book, "Come Sit Stay." This volume summarizes all the Dog a Day paintings from 2009 and has lots of other extras. I'...

  "Splash," 9" x 12", acrylic on museum quality panel, depicting a certain Princess and her rather neurotic Cattle Dog partner in crime, playing together in Paint Creek. This painting was done in acrylics on museum quality panel, and is the latest acquisition by the artist. Yes, me. I'm allowed to claim one every so often, no?   This is one of my favorite memories of this summer - taking Finnigan down to the creek, and watching him play water frisbee with his girl.   What's your favorite summer memory?   Kim, who is fearing the day when The Princess will be too cool to need me for anything other than a clothes allowance, but savoring and loving every single moment between now and then, including today's emergency trip to the library for "brain food" ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    

“In Flight,” 8” x 16”, (my) Australian cattle dog/blue heeler portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, $160. I’m really tempted to keep this piece for myself, but being as I have what seems like two dozen paintings of Finnigan already and can always paint him again when the mood strikes, inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. People always comment on how disciplined and organized I must be in order to pull off the whole Painting a Dog a Day project, but then days like this one roll around, where I am busy scrambling to get various show applications completed by their deadline, and then, “DUH!”, realizing that I haven’t finished my entries for an online show that I’m coordinating. So that’s what you get today – my third and final entry for the Canine Art Guild’s “Dogs Just Wanna Have Fun” online exhibition (scheduled to “open” on August 1st). Among a few other neuroses, Finnigan has a serious Frisbee disorder. Thankfully there’s a horde of willing neighbor kids who l...

      "Bodie's Bell," a commmissioned painted sketch, image approximately 5" x 7" roughly centered on an 11" x 14" piece of multimedia artboard.    Thanks to the help of My Better Half, paintings are getting packaged as soon as they are dry. I couldn't have painted - and shipped - over 40 commissioned portraits since October without the help of him and my entire family.   I owe them a major batch of chocolate chip cookies once this is all completed. Which will happen  after  I sleep. For a couple of days.   There's in-process pics of Bodie on  the studio Facebook page .   Thank you so much for supporting my artwork and providing my livelihood, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com     Tease   There's nothing like a spoilt kitten to ruin a good nap, you know?    Mona waited and waited for Finnigan to wake up and show mild curiousity in her slowly flicking tail.   Then, she let him have i...

Finnigan, 12" x 12" x 1", acrylics on cradeled birch panel, not for sale.   Studio Newsletter, August 2019 Finnigan's health had been steadily declining, and a few weeks ago he let us know he was ready to leave. Our family surrounded him with love well beyond his last moments, something we had been dreading doing, but it was the greatest gift that we could ever have given, other than our home and companionship during his lifetime. It seems strange without him here. Thank you to all who reached out with their stories and support during this time - we felt part of a greater, gentler community. I am continuing to paint the  Daydreams  - that magical space where lucidity fades and our imagination begins to bloom. I'm putting them on my website as fast as they come. Some of the paintings are smaller and on paper, so there's a variety of price points.  And I am already seeing that I may choose to go back into one or two and re...

This is Finnigan, a cattle dog mix, keeping an eye on our front yard from the comfort of his club chair. Both photos taken within seconds of each other on an evenly lit day with the same camera. The upper photo is a flash one, the lower photo was exposed using natural light. I ask collectors to send me non-flash photos for portrait work. Oftentimes they don't understand what I'm asking or why. Here is a little explanation: 1.  Flash photos cast unnatural shadows, often masking the actual edges of the animal. Look at the space behind Finnigan's ear and head - see how his ears appear larger and harder in the flash photo because of the shadow? See how the space on his chest, between his legs, is equally shadowed as that foreleg reaching towards up? 2.  Flash photos reflect off the surface of the subject, and do not allow for coat texture, nuances of color, or skeletal structure to be visible. There is far more information in the lower photo, and I can ...

"Multi-Colored Merle," 6" x 8", Golden Open acrylics on panel, depicting a blue heeler mix, based loosely on my shadow Finnigan. You can add this painting to your collection for $324 - shoot me an email if you are interested. It's been a long time since I last painted my boy, and I figured I would try my hand at him today and share the little stinker's face. I never tire of painting black and white animals and Finni is no exception. His glossy coat reflects all the color around him, and that merled fur resonates with blues and lavendars. And it's nice every so often to have Finnigan, even if it is merely a painted version of him, sit still and be quiet. Although the other version is currently prone on the floor, sighing at my feet. He's had a busy day herding kids, running in the sprinkler, and playing frisbee. Shhh..... don't say "squirrel." Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to ...

"Waiting for Santa," 8" x 10", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting my blue heeler mix Finnigan lounging in My Better Half's quilt draped club chair, $469. In process pics are here . And inquiries may come to me - I'd love to share a little cattle dog craziness with another household! Every year I do a holiday painting  - Mona's inspired the last three (how did THAT happen?), so Finnigan's been way more than patient for his turn on the easel. Thanks, as always, for keeping me company, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

  "What the....??," the very first painting from the "Cherished" series, 24" x 14", acrylic on museum quality panel, depicting a cattle dog mix and a gray tabby kitten, aka Finnigan Jones and Mona Lisa, collection of the artist.   I don't think I'm ready to part with this painting quite yet, but I can create something just as fun starring your pets - email me !           To keep the composition simple, I opted to eliminate the rug (you can see  the reference here ), and I'm wondering now if it should be there. Without the rug, there's a lot of negative space and I'm not entirely convinced it's the best thing for the painting, but am content to let things sit for a bit until I can "see" how to do it differently.   I painted the shadows out and sketched the rug in, then the voice inside my head told me to take the rug back out and replace the shadows. Still, I wonder. Maybe I'll go back in with some glazes and...