Paintings With Soul

"Squirrel Patrol," 10" x 20", terrier dog portrait , acrylic on board. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . This is Peanut, who I have gotten to paint before ( http://paintingadogaday.blogspot.com/search?q=peanut+terrier ). I fall more in love with him each time I pick up the brushes. My client has patiently waited for me to finish up Peanut's 2 larger paintings (there's another one soaking wet on the easel, 16" x 20") before she makes her choice. I'm wait-listing anyone interested in having a Peanut for themselves - feel free to send a note to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . I hope to have the fourth and final Peanut finished very soon..... I've gotten some nice press via inclusion in Mel Edwards' Votre Vray project. Mel has been interviewing creative women as research for a book/play that she is writing. We had a great chat a few weeks back, and she did a beautiful job summarizing a few of the points we tou...

"Working on My Tan (Peanut)," 8" x 16", terrier portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, $329. I was so excited about how the 2nd Peanut painting finished up that I had to share! Peanut's Mom wants to wait till all 4 paintings are completed before choosing. So if you are interested in Peanut sunbathing, or Wednesday's couch potato, please send an email to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . I'll get wait lists started. This composition will definately be revisited, in a gallery stretched canvas that is at least lifesized. I've always wanted to do an richly colored oriental rug in strong shadows. The trick will be finding (and photographing) a rug with just the right sort of patterning to compliment the dog's markings. I can always take artistic license and modify the dog's patches to mirror the pattern in the rug, too. It's something for my brain to work on during the coming weeks. Ok, meanwhile it's back to the easel and another Peanut pain...

"Peanut's in the Couch," 8" x 10", terrier pet portrait in acrylic on canvasboard. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Today was a Peanut Fest. I worked on 4 different paintings of this little guy, and really thought I'd get them all done, but forgot that I had to clean up before dinner, as I actually have plans tonight. I'll get the rest finished in the coming days. I love the way Peanut's all curled up into his blanket, cozy and warm. Sort of like the best spot to be on a drizzly and damp day. (Not that today was one of those!) But it's a painting with a little bit of atmosphere to it. The other three Peanuts are playing outside, perched on the edge of a dock, and sunbathing. They vary in size from 8" x 16" all the way up to 16" x 20". This little dog has a precociousness about him that is precious, and his paintings are sure to draw the viewer in close for a better look. That's if my client lets me ...

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...

"Lifeguard on Duty (Peanut)," 16" x 20", terrier dog portrait in acrylic on board, $659. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. This is a much larger than usual dog-a-day painting . Technically it isn't even really one, given that I've been picking away at it, off and on, since early May, and the typical dog-a-day painting is completed in one sitting. But often l start a piece with lofty intentions, and then recognize I can't carry it off without learning a few new things. So I lose momentum and the painting sits, 1/2 completed, waiting patiently for me to muster the courage to finish. Even with lapsed time, patience, and additional miles under my brushes, the imagined painting doesn't always turn out. (By the way, I throw out just as many paintings as I share on this blog.) But those times when things fall into place as I step up to paint the last pass-through, it feels darned good. I'm off for some celebratory oreos and iced tea...

"Stella in Profile," 6" square, commissioned terrier portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, private collection (thank you!). Inquiries may always come to me . I had Stella's painting finished this afternoon, but life got in the way of posting it earlier. A child needed a ride across town, then dinner had to be started followed by another jaunt across town to put the chickens and ducks away (we're farm sitting this weekend), with a quick stop at the library squeezed in. Then we rushed back home for a family meal, and chased it all with an event at my daughter's school. Now I want to nurse a cup of tea partnered with some peanut butter cookies. Which I will get to do shortly. After I throw a load of laundry in. There's never enough hours (or hands) to get it all done!! Thanks, as always, for looking at - and sharing - my artwork with your friends and family. Have a great weekend - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com www.paintingadogaday.com PS Want a great...