Paintings With Soul

"Fjord," 20" x 30" x 1-1/2" gallery wrap canvas. This painting is available to the first asking kindly for $1299 plus s&h. I'll hold onto her through the end of the year, after which she'll be available through   Equis Art Gallery   in Red Hook, New York. Inquiries may come  to me . These new equine pieces are carrying me into uncharted territory, yet I feel as though I'm coming home. Working with one of my favorite things of all times, the form and energy of the horse, has been a balm. The news is getting more disturbing and painful than ever before, and there's no escape. Even here in the studio, where I try to keep things mostly rainbow and glitter, the unsettled ugliness of the world trickles into paintings via my subconscious. Something as basic as two toy horses left on the floor become the impetus for a piece about keeping fear at bay. I don't even have to ask why. I will sign off by wishing...

Detail of "Primordial," a 24" x 36" x 1-1/2" gallery wrap canvas. Scroll down for the full image. This painting is available for purchase to the first asking kindly - $1599 plus s&h. Inquiries may come   to me .   This one came from deep inside where my most horrific fears lie. I won't bore you with their details, but I'm certain you can relate, because we all have a similar place inside us filled with hot, black tar. At times I can smell it. I can feel it bubbling at my toes. My breath shortens while my pulse rises. And then I fight to clear my head. I inhale deeply. I close my eyes and think of something comforting. And She came to me, Primordial. Thanks, as always, for supporting my art, Kim

"Dawn," 12" x 24", acrylics on museum quality panel, $599 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may come to me. SOLD (TY!) I've been reading a lot about the virtue of continuing to paint/create in a world being picked apart at the seams. There is always a need for beauty and discourse, and that becomes even more necessary when we find ourselves at a cross road. So it is with that in mind that I come to stand at my easel every day. What comes off my brushes isn't always pretty, nor is everything I paint meant to be seen. But when it is, and I send my babies, these paintings, into a world that pauses for a moment to take them in, there is a little celebration in my heart. And that party feeds my desire to show up the next day to wring out and move through more ideas. Thanks, as always, for supporting my art, Kim

In process and currently Untitled, 24" x 36", acrylics gallery wrap canvas. Inquiries may come  to me . So it seems that podcasting has replaced blogging. Technology evolves, and one thing replaces another - it's called progress. We can't fight it. I've been   blogging   since 2007, the majority of that time doing so daily. And yes, my blog traffic has dropped significantly over the years. I chalked it up to social media and youtube being far more exciting. But I continue blogging because I feel it's like a visual diary, and it provides context to my body of work. To me, that's more important than the number of hits my site gets. But I couldn't drop the idea of podcasting. It would be great to have a regular opportunity to connect with followers using a format that was meaningful to them. There's an entire generation I'll never get to interact with if I don't embrace the opportunities progress and change create. So I am compromisi...

At top, detail, below, the entire painting. "Stanchion," 24" x 36", acrylics and water media on gallery stretched canvas, $1599 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may come  to me . This is why I work and study with other artists - cross pollination and fresh takes on old ideas. "Stanchion" would never have happened without   Vianna Szabo's   color instruction,   Stanka Kordic's   introduction to intuitive painting,   Lynn Whipple's   enthusiasm for drippy paint,   Christina Haylett's   fearlessness,   Ardith Goodwin's  constant gentle nudging, and   Fonda Clark Haight's  mixed media processes. These artists do all the hard work defining their own styles and processes, and then are generous enough to share their enthusiasm with other painters. How lucky am I that I can bring them into my studio every single day! Thanks, as always, for supporting my art, Kim

"Bound (Siren #71)," 24" x 30", acrylics on panel, $899 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may come  to me . It took me a while to figure this girl out. Which happens with many of the sirens. First I thought she was seeking direction, then I saw that she wasn't lost but merely deep in thought. And then I realized she wasn't truly deep in thought, only still. And this was because there were binds holding her down, limiting her mobility. Ties that are unbending, restrictive, anchoring. And yet, despite these (or perhaps in SPITE of them) it remains green and lush around her feet. Such are the stories swimming in my head right now. Thanks, as always, for supporting my art, Kim

I've been working on cow paintings this last week. The ones above have just returned from their travels to New York.  Clockwise from left:  Dude, 9x12, $469, Girlie, 10x10, $499, and One+One, 8x8, $399. S&H additional, each painting is an original acrylic on museum quality panel. I will combine shipping on multiple purchases. I accept personal checks, paypal and payment plans. Inquiries may come  to me . There's a couple newer ones on my Facebook page - 16x20 canvases - up for grabs. Alfalfa and Bangs.   Reach out to me   if you are interested in either - they are specially priced at $599 each. Thanks, as always, for supporting my art, Kim   

The fall is my favorite time of year. The colors in Michigan are insanely beautiful, and there is the added edge of enjoying time outside before the wintery air moves in. It's like a limited time offer - you have to take advantage of it. So I hope that you are doing the same at your end. This weekend was a roller coaster, just like fall itself. After spending the day in the ER with one of my kids (they are ok - don't worry!!), while following the senate hearing committee news on my phone and closed captioned TV, I came home to quickly change out of my pajama bottoms and clean up before heading to the opening reception for the   Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptors   members show. This is a group with over 100 years of history in Detroit, a membership deeply committed to the arts. The show is amazing in it's variety and quality - if you get a chance to visit  The Annex Gallery , it's well worth the trip. I was tickled...

"Catharsis (Siren #67)," 24" x 30", acrylics on panel, $899. Payment plans/check/paypal accepted. Inquiries may come   to me . This weekend My Better Half built me an easel wall in the home studio, which was no small task. That wall had been lined with bookcases which he cut down to hip height and reconfigured for painting and brush storage underneath. This means I can now paint BIG on this wall, while also working small to medium sized pieces on my floor easel - I am so happy about the expansion of my home work space! This weekend it also became obvious that I need to purge far more than I originally thought. So older inventory, miscellaneous books, some decorative items, and a few of my toy props have been set aside for a quick sale   here . You can purchase via commenting on the item you wish, and yes I will combine shipping, provided it is not detrimental to the welfare of your purchase. I will ship items the end of ne...

It's been a lovely year in the studio - yes, it's been a year already!! Over 65 sirens came to life in this magical space. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to create and push a LOT of paint! Starting in October, my building will be under construction, getting partitioned into smaller spaces. This will result in additional rental units, but none that will serve my painting process more than my home studio. So over the next few weeks I'll be settling back into my original space, nestled comfortably between the kitchen and family room, with an actual Harry Potter-ish cupboard under the stairs. And thanks to a wise friend, I'm reminding myself that while this space was pretty darned wonderful, I am the one who brings the magic. And that will come to wherever I find myself working. If you have a painting you can't get out of your mind, this next week would be idea timing to ask. I have a fair percentage of my inventory -...

Four of the 22 paintings currently marked down for a quick sale. Did some deep cleaning at the studio, which means there's a flash sale going on over on   my FB page . Nearly 2 dozen paintings are up for grabs at ridiculous prices - these are mostly pieces that graced my booth back when I did art fairs/events. A few of them are from the first couple years of Painting a Dog a Day! Take a peek , purchase via commenting on the image you want. Splurge on something fun for yourself! Thanks as always for supporting my art!

"A Rose Among the Thorns," 15" x 30" x 1", acrylics on a gallery stretched canvas, $649 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may come directly   to me . Because no matter how stabby life can get, there will eventually be something insanely beautiful that comes from the tangled mess. Special thanks to Cedar Knoll Farm for sharing their marvelous Dexter as inspiration for this painting.

"Battlement," Siren #55, 36" x 24" x 1-1/2", acrylics on cradeled panel, $1599 to the first asking nicely. Yes, I can ship worldwide and yes I will set up a payment plan. Inquiries may come   to me . The summer is nearly over here in Michigan - literally and figuratively. This is The Princess' last one before starting college, and we have tried to make the most of it. She has one full week left before returning to the books and the dance studio. I find myself getting teary unexpectedly - there's so much I still need to teach her. I suppose I will never feel as though I've given any of my kids enough. That bittersweetness of this time spent on the cusp of independance (both hers and perhaps mine as the boys are also making rumblings about moving) is trickling into my paintings. I find that recent sirens are introspective, meditative and asking for clarity. They are teaching me how to navigate things. Speaking of learning, I've got my fa...

Hello hello!! Hope you are having a lovely August - I'm settling into the finishing touches on a number of siren paintings and ramping up for a wonderful fall exhibition schedule. Perhaps I will see you at an opening or two. Meanwhile I've just released my class schedule through the end of the year. There's lots of opportunities for you to come create with me in Lake Orion (Michigan) or via an internet connection. Art Journaling continues to meet on the 3rd Thursday of each month. I have two Pet Portrait sessions scheduled - one in   September , another in   October. . Several still life options, including one focused on   whites , another on   value jumps  (painting ribboned gifts), and a third on   color  using donuts as props. And two installments of the Paint Like classes, one with   Modigliani   styled portraits, another with a   Klimpt-ish   composition. Additional information for each class is available...

Kimberly Kelly Santini   paintings with soul because our world needs more beauty   "Bailey and Charlie," 12" x 12" x 1/22", acrylics on museum quality cradeled panel, commissioned portrait and heading home soon. They no longer flood my various social media feeds, but I do still create one or two pet portraits each month. Because when all is said and done, there is nothing quite like delivering an original image that melds memories and emotions into the perfect summary of my clients' relationship with their special family members. Prices start at $399 for museum quality original paintings. I work from copyright free reference photos and your stories to create a treasured family keepsake. Turnaround is dependent upon my current workload, but averages several months (and can be much longer near the end of the year), so please plan accordingly. Inquiries may come directly   to me .

"Becoming," 36" x 36" x 2", acrylics on a cradeled panel, heading to "Motherhood," a juried exhibition at The Anton Art Center in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. Inquiries may come to me. I have been sending almost daily (I know it's not been nearly that regular as of late) newsletters since October of 2006. That's 12 years of regular correspondence. Some of you have been with me through all of this - the   Painting a Dog a Day   journey, raising funds for animal welfare,  the wine label award ,   my book publications , the   Kentucky Derby adventure , a shift in focus to   florals , and finally   the Sirens . I cannot thank you enough for your willingness to continue to look at what I was painting, to hear my thoughts, and to support me via your feedback, encouragement, and even purchases. And for those of you who hopped on partway through this marvelous trip, thank you for sticking around. I know that a big piece of my continued motivation ...

The first of my mini vacation watercolors, this is "Penn State Tree #1," watercolor and metallic inks on a circular piece of watercolor paper, roughly 6" in diameter, $50 (includes s&h inside the US). How is it possible that my last newsletter was June 11th? I'll tell you how - the past few weeks have been spent scrambling with numerous deadlines, commitments, and prepping for a vacation and The Princess's dance nationals. We have been on the road for 6 days now and it's been quite the adventure so far! We toured Penn State's campus, spent time with family, visited Chincoteague and Assatuague Islands, and spent a day at the beach. Along the way, I'm painting small watercolors of our adventures, each of which will be   available for purchase through my Facebook page , starting at $45. This is the only newsletter I plan to send for the next week, so please, if you are interested in grabbing one of these little gems, make a point of   check...

Detail (full painting below, please scroll down), "Wabi Sabii" 24" x 48", acrylics on panel, $1499 to the first asking nicely. Please send them directly   to me . I've been working on a couple of surprise commissions, but in between waiting for my clients' feedback I've been working away on this one. And boy do I love her. Wabi Sabi   is essentially the acceptance of brokenness. A celebration of it, in fact, as in Japanese tradition a broken bowl is repaired with a vein of gold. It remains useful and all the more beautiful because of it's cracks. I embraced that idea with my newest selfie, wrapped in my favorite shawl and bearing my own gold repaired cracks. I'm proud to bear scars - they mean I've lived my life without bubble wrap, and that my heart and head have experience I can lean on as I continue to roll with the punches.

In process "Wabi Sabi Selfie," 24" x 48", acrylics on panel. Not currently for sale, but inquiries are always welcome. Please send them directly   to me . This week I have: submitted a grant application entered two big deal to me juried competitions (that I fully expect to be rejected from, but one never knows and if one never asks, one never knows) taught several classes glazed, wrapped and posted 4 paintings to new homes booked 5 new commissions deep cleaned the studio coordinated the return of work from a show in Pennsylvania (which reminds me I've not gotten shipping confirmation yet, so I should follow up with them on Tuesday) marketed/promoted my summer classes and workshops (although I'm realizing I neglected to do so via this blog, so   here is a link ) researched exhibition opportunities through the fall coordinated the transition to online entry for the Thumb Area Art Exhibition read 2 art books ( One Hundred Hands   and   What I...

Detail of Siren #41, "The Day My Heart Exploded," full painting is 24" square, acrylics on panel. Not currently for sale, but inquiries are always welcome. Please send them directly   to me . This painting is a self portrait - while the likeness is not mine the emotional state most definitely is. This morning there was yet another school shooting. I cannot understand why our children are killing each other.  This siren came from my gut. There's others still in there. I imagine they will show up in the coming days. May your children all come home safely tonite.