Paintings With Soul

Calico.  9" x 12", acrylics on museum quality panel, portrait of teeny wee calico, $519. Inquiries may always come to   me . There's no gift quite as wonderful as a custom pet portrait. I paint from your photos, resulting in a surprise to unwrap that's like no other. Now is the time to start discussing and planning any holiday gifts you would like to commission.   Museum quality portraits start around $400, and are priced according to size and complexity. If you have a smaller budget,   reach out to me   so we can discuss other options.

A couple of things came to mind today - one followed from a seemingly callous comment of a stranger on my FB page, calling my recent work "garbage." Further conversation with this individual revealed that they felt my work was "too literal." Ok, "too literal" is far more interesting to ponder than "garbage." As I worked my way through the concept of literal, I began to visualize all the ways - other than symbolically - I could depict things like fragility, feeling inconsequential, immortality, and learning to speak up. Today I embraced one of those approaches - allowing my form to dissolve into the ground. Sort of like she's melting - yet she's still fully present for the moment. Two of the studies I approached in this way are pictured above. I have no end result in mind for these - yet - but I am spending time alone with them, asking myself lots of questions, and listening for answers. How does intensity of color impact my ...

Languorous (daVinci).  12" x 16", acrylics on museum quality panel, portrait of studio muse and quality control manager, $549. Inquiries may always come to   me . So what does an artist do when they are still feeling a bit under the weather on Day 5? They show up. Because nobody else will finish varnishing paintings, respond to emails, update inventory archives, coordinate commissions, and work on grant proposals. And when it came time for me to choose a subject for today's painting, I opted for my kitty. Because today was a day to stick inside my comfort zone. And eat mashed potatoes.   There's no gift quite as wonderful as a custom pet portrait. I paint from your photos, resulting in a surprise to unwrap that's like no other. Now is the time to start discussing and planning any holiday gifts you would like to commission. Museum quality portraits start around $400, and are priced according to size and complexity. If you have a smaller budget,   reac...

Guardians.  24" x 48", mixed media (acrylic paint, metallic and iridescent paints, ink) on panel. I think this one is finished, but I reserve the right to sleep on it. However, inquiries may always come to   me .  Share Tweet Forward I could look at these guys forever. BUT, I'm going to turn the painting to the wall and go make some dinner. Because tomorrow morning I need to see this one with fresh eyes. What do you think? Do you see a story? could you live with this painting?

Stand Tall.  24" x 48", acrylics on panel, $1499 plus s&h. I think she's done...... at least after spending 8 hours working on her today, I am not seeing any necessary changes. Inquiries may always come to   me .  Share Tweet Forward Does this piece resonate with you? why? what sort of story do you see? Please let me know your thoughts. Similar to my 9/11 painting, there's a story here. But my story will be different than what others see and read.

ORIGINALLY PAINTED 9-11-17: The Aftermath.  12" x 18", acrylics on gallery stretched canvas, $479. This one came straight from my heart - I had no preconceived plan, just laid marks down and responded, one by one. I do see a story revealed itstef, at least to me - but I'm curious what YOU see. Inquiries may always come to   me .  Share Tweet Forward I cannot believe that it's been 16 years since the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in rural Pennsylvania. My kids have grown up in an America on edge and divided; certainly not what we wanted for them. For any of our children. And as Irma continues to carve a path through the southeast while Texans recover from Harvey and those in the west fight fires, just like after 9/11, we'll see populations pull together and love harder. I just wish we could keep all this love around and visible all the time.

Knitting Rainbows.  12" x 16", acrylics on museum quality panel, featuring a celestial hamster busy with her handwork, $469 plus s&h. Inquiries may always come to   me . This is the latest incarnation of a mouse painting who couldn't figure out what she was at first. We went through various ribboned crowns, then there were crystals and jewelry, and finally she settled on the heavens. It was The Princess's suggestion that I have her creating a rainbow, and that was the crowning touch. I dedicate this painting to all needing a bit of glory in their lives - whether they are struggling with a hurricane, wildfire, earthquake, world affairs, or an empty chocolate stash.

"All the world will be your enemy, Prince of a Thousand enemies. And when they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you; digger, listener, runner, Prince with the swift warning. Be cunning, and full of tricks, and your people will never be destroyed."- Lord Frith Lord Frith.  12" x 14", acrylics on museum quality panel, inspired by the rabbits' god in Watership Down, $449. Inquiries may always come to   me .

She Cracks Herself Up.  8" x 10", acrylics on museum quality panel, commissioned portrait of a goofy yellow lab, sold (TY very much). Inquiries may always come to   me . There's no gift quite as wonderful as a custom pet portrait. I paint from your photos, resulting in a surprise to unwrap that's like no other. Now is the time to start discussing and planning any holiday gifts you would like to commission. Museum quality portraits start around $400, and are priced according to size and complexity. If you have a smaller budget,   reach out to me   so we can discuss other options.

Dog Star (Constellation).  18" x 24" x 1-1/2", acrylics on museum quality panel with image painted around the sides, sold (Congratulations and TY very much MH!). Inquiries may always come to   me . My collector said this painting reminded her of her dog who had recently passed away. I could see it too. So funny how that worked out. And then she messaged me that, on her way home with the piece, the Ozzy song "Momma I'm Coming Home" played on the radio. Synchronicity.

Little Horse (Constellation).  11" x 14", acrylics on panel, $529 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may always come to   me . It would be impossible to fear the dark if the stars truly looked like these.

Apollo.  12" x 12", acrylics on museum quality panel, $529 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may always come to   me . I am finishing up a workshop with Ardith Goodwin focused on framework. Understanding the things that thrill us, and using that knowledge to paint with intention and infuse our work with a passionate connection from the very get go. It's no surprise that unexpected details delight me (pun intended). And I spent the last 8 weeks defining and exploring my realms of delight. So it should follow that my work will carry the same sorts of elements - like a pink equine posing as Apollo, drawing the sun across the sky. These pieces also give me a place to ostrich (bury my head in the sand) and pretend for just a moment that our world isn't quite so ugly.

Do not go gentle into that good night (title courtesy of Dylan Thomas).  14" x 18", acrylics on museum quality panel, $599 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may always come to   me . My recent work is resonating with so many - thank you for your notes and encouragement. Baring my soul in paint makes me feel vulnerable and terrified. It is so much safer (emotionally) to stick with pet portraiture. And yet I have much to share from my very core. I'm steadily working my way there.

Eclipse.  12" x 12", acrylics on panel, $549 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may always come to   me . Trying some things out this week, experimenting with rather substantial changes to existing work. Also, responding to the real world inside my imaginary one (paintings) more and more. You can't make this stuff up (The Great American Eclipse?!).

Growing Gray (a self portrait), 18 " x 24" x 1.5", acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas with image painted around the sides. I am uncertain that this one is truly finished, just as I am unclear whether she will be available. This is an intensely personal painting, meant for loved ones denied the simple privilege of growing gray. Or gray-er. Life is a miracle, every minute. My gray hairs remind me of that. Inquiries may always come to   ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   - thank you SO much!!

The Moon Goddess (Fireflies 14)   24" x 36" x 1.5", acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas with image painted around the sides. This one gives me chills, and I hope that the photo, which appears a little dark, conveys that. She is ushering in the night, complete with all it's magic. This painting is $1299 to the first asking nicely -   ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   - thank you SO much!!

.....here are some more recent paintings from July and early August 2017 Fireflies 6 , 20" x 30" x 1.5", acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas, packed with texture, luscious drips and transparent layers, including metallic and iridescent paint, $1225 (payment plans available) - inquiries to me!   ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   - thank you SO much!! There's no way to convey the magic and depth of these firefly paintings via the computer screen. Suffice it to say that they are gnome approved, and would make the most fantastic focal point in any room. Fireflies 8 & 9 (mage taken inside with glare.) , each 16" x 20" for a total image size of 20" x 32", acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas with image painted around the sides. Texture, color, and layers of depth create a magical pairing.  $1199 for the pair (payment plans available) - inquiries to me!   ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   - thank you SO much!! Dusk (Fireflies 7)   20...

This summer I have been remiss in updating my blog regularly for a number of reasons - one being that I am in the midst of a painting dervish. I can't clock enough hours at the easel, the ideas are rushing out of me. The other reason for poor blog maintenance is that my viewership is way down, and I find myself questioning whether the day of the blog is past - is everyone now on social media? I hate to let this site go - it's got 10+ years of paintings and musings here - so I will pop in and update it as I can. Meanwhile, if you wish to see current work (I'm about a month behind here), you are always welcome on my studio page over on Facebook - Kimberly Kelly Santini . Meanwhile, here's a few pieces from last month:   Fireflies 1 (SOLD), 2 and 3 (SOLD) , each 6" square, acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas, all sorts of luscious drips and transparent layers - inquiries to me!    ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   - thank you SO much!! Fireflies 4 (top, w...

Bumbles (all 6"x6"x1-1/2") and a Ladybug (4"x4"x1-1/2"), from top going clockwise,   Green Bumble, Blue Bumble, Pink Bumble, Orange Bumble , center   Ladybug . Bonus - all are painted around the sides, so no need to frame. Bumbles are $124 each or 2 for $224, Ladybug is $74. Inquiries to   ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   - thanks so much!!  ALL SOLD - TY so much! I'm figuring out how to expressively paint an object in motion whilst still in motion. Also working on painting from memory (no references but my gray matter).  Memory and movement are two things that continue to crop up when my paintings are discussed, so I thought I would design a little exercise to bring them both into play consciously and simultaneously.

Cracker Jack.  16" x 20", acrylics on panel, $649. Inquiries may always come to   me . I am tempted to keep this one, but willing to allow fate to send her elsewhere, in case she's needed more by someone else. Spending time thinking about what makes my heart skip a beat, and why, so that I can incorporate it into my paintings. OKeefe (my hamster) is one of those things.