Paintings With Soul

Last week I was able to gift a scholarship to one lucky creator for this year's  Make Create Express  year long class. The winner was drawn at random, and I was so thrilled to get to reacho out and offer that space to Amanda Krause. Amanda is a mixed media artist who explores materials and techniques as she observes birds. She is looking to build a routine that supports regular creation and provides incentive to explore new subjects. She hopes to learn new skills and techniques as she arts her way through the months. What a perfect match for this experience - I am certain that she will have a marvelous time! You can see more of Amanda's work on   Facebook   and   Instagram . Thank you   Galia and Art is Magic   for giving me the change to give away a seat in this class. And thank you Amanda for being a part of my creative circle and helping spread word about the experience.  If you've not yet signed up for the lead-in event, which is fre...

I am so excited to share with you the lessons I've created exclusively for this year's Make Create Express event. The first one features butterflies and will be part of the free Creative Retreat Weekend July 11-12th. The butterfly lesson will only be available, entirely for free, during this weekend event. However BOTH lessons, the butterfly and a wonderful rabbit painting workshop, are part of the year long Make Create Express. And I'm just one of 25 other artists who have made extraordinary content. Want in? Of course you do! We are less than 3 weeks out from the Creative Retreat Weekend , and to celebrate we are having a Blog Hop Giveaway. I get to give away 1 place in the Make Create Express year long workshop. This is a $120 value - think of the art supplies you can buy with that sort of savings!! To enter just share this particular blog post on Facebook and be sure to tell me that you have done so (shared this) by commenting here on the blog by 8pm on June 25th.  I...

"Goldfish,"11" x 14", acrylics and graphite on Stonehenge (cotton rag) paper, $399 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. I accept paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Inquiries may always come   to me . Took a break from pet portraits and homework. Yes, I am always a student, learning and trying new things - right now I'm working one on one with   Anne Siems  and she is turning my brain inside out in the best sort of way. But today after some work on   the puppy with pearls   and a couple Anne studies, I needed to do a painting that was a little less serious. And what do you know? my heart is lighter.  It could have also been the dance music I had blasting. Tomorrow's #journalthroughit lesson will be light hearted too. I'm going to channel Dr. Seuss and make a joyful and imaginative page. Come join me at 11:30am eastern time on   my studio facebook pag e. Thanks for following along with my painting journey,...

"Jager & Boh," a commissioned portrait, 18" x 24", acrylics on museum quality panel, private collection (thank you so very much to my new collectors). I can't WAIT to see this portrait installed in my collector's home. Meanwhile, did you see this?   Paul Anka inspecting his portrait. Reach out   if you are curious about the pet portrait process. Thanks for following along with my painting journey, Kim

Today's #journalthroughit lesson is a direct response to today's world. I'll provide a simple step by step approach to fingerpainting a diverse range of figures, figures which will gather into a gentle crowd on our journal page. A rainbow hued peaceful gathering of humanity in celebration of all ethnicities and walks of life. Come join me via a live feed on   my Facebook studio page   at 11:30am eastern. Afterwards,   the lesson will be archived and viewable for a year   - you can watch it, and fingerpaint, on your own time. (Alternative materials will be discussed for those without access to paint) Thanks for following along with my painting journey, Kim

My demos for the two online classes available through   Make Create Express 2020   - one will be part of the free   Creative Retreat Weekend,   the other is included in the   year long instruction . More details are   here   and below. Studio News from May 2020 May was just one big long day, wasn't it? It's always hard for me to keep track of the days, since My Better Half doesn't work a traditional work week and there were no longer school aged kids at home. But now it seems even worse. There isn't anything to mark the passage of time, not even my weekly trip to the grocery (In March I was banned from doing pretty much anything out in the world). I've been filling my days with studio work and hanging with the kids. Long walks with the dogs, now that the weather has turned, and a bit of yard work too. Home cooked dinners on the patio and bonfires in the back yard. A lively game of croquet occasionally, with the added challenge of Sal, who...

At left, "Rosa Multiflora 1," at right, "Rosa Multiflora 2," each 6" x 6" x nearly 1", acrylics on cradled wood panel, image painted around edges, $174 each plus s&h. $100 from the purchase of each painting will be donated to #BlackLivesMatter. I accept paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Inquiries may always come   to me . I have been at a loss this last week, struggling to comprehend the divide that's growing in my country, and what I see Americans doing to each other. I created #journalthroughit lessons directed specifically to   mindfulness   and   creating space to usher in and express our emotions . I'm also planning to attend a peaceful BLM rally, but keeping an eye on threats of armed gunman attending in opposition. And, of course, listening and learning. It just doesn't feel like enough, though. Last night, on a rare late evening alone in the studio, I set my commission aside, as my heart wasn't in it. I n...

"Paul Anka," 8"x10"x1", acrylics on cradled wood panel, private collection (thank you very much!!). Inquiries can always come   to me . It's been 19 years since I hung out my shingle and officially began a new career as a pet portrait artist. With 3 children aged 6 and under, I started painting at the dining room table while they napped, moving into my own studio two years later. My daily painting commitment,   www.PaintingaDogaDay.com , started 4 years afterwards. There have been well over 1000 faces gracing my easel in this time, and I fall in love with each and every one of them. Here's an added bonus for you - I started Paul Anka's portrait   via a live feed on Facebook . You can   watch it   on the studio Facebook page, or if you are boycotting social media like so many others, it is currently uploading to   YouTub e (and taking forever, I might add, so  message me and I'll send you a head's up when it's ready!). It would be re...

I am so excited to finally be able to share I am one of the 26 instructors in this year's   Make Create Express 2020 . Make Create Express is an online journey of creativity, a collection of 26 artists, each having created 2 exclusive lessons outlining their unique approach for this adventure. The video lessons and other content are delivered weekly via email right to your inbox, so there is no need to scroll through feeds or remember to retrieve/download a thing. And wait - it gets better. Because there's FREE stuff!!  The kickoff to the Make Create Express year is a   FREE Creative Retreat Weekend . During this weekend, which falls on July 11 and 12, a free lesson from each instructor is unlocked. So clear your calendar for two intense days of artmaking! The Creative Retreat Weekend is a great way to check out new-to-you instructors and processes, f ind inspiration in the workshops and the community, and d etermine if the yearlong Make Create Express...

ABOVE, detail, BELOW, full painting. "Pansy," 18"x24", acrylics and graphite on stonehenge paper, private collection (thank you very much!!). Inquiries can always come   to me . My grandmothers and great grandmother always knew how to make me feel special, no matter my age, no matter the situation. Today I was wondering what they would think of our world, what we have become. I wondered what they would do to make me feel better. I made Grandma Kelly's apple pancakes for breakfast. Pansies and violet remind me of my great grandmother, so they got called up. And there is a chalk outline of me and my maternal grandmother hugging each other buried deep in these layers of paint. So this piece is about building my own blanket fort to feel safe and loved. I hope you have a means to build one for yourself. Thanks for following along with my painting journey, Kim

"Alia," 9"x12"x1", acrylics on cradeled museum quality panel, private collection (thank you very much). Purchase inquiries can always come   to me . Alia learned to smile after being rescued by her new family. It was important that her portrait tell the story of a sweet girl with a new outlook. I was delighted to get to paint her this way, relaxed and happy. If you are looking for something extraordinarily special for yourself or a loved one, reach out. Commissioned paintings are a gift like no other, in that they reflect your own ideals while brightening your home/work space. I work from your personal photos to create a one of a kind portrait that looks - and feels - like your best friend. 8x10s start at $499 -   message me  and let's start planning your project! Thanks for following along with my painting journey, Kim

If you watched   today's #journalthroughit lesson , you saw me create this page live. While it looks complex, ir's really just a number of layers of marks, all done with simple materials you probably already have around your house. Collage papers and glue, a pen, and colored pencils or crayons. Also, if you are sadly quarantining without a spirograph, I showed a doodle substitution that was equally meditative and visually satisfying. And if you now cannot live another minute without a spirograph,   here's the one   that I used in class.   #journalthroughit continues to go strong, with   Ardith   Goodwin teaching Mondays (her class times can fluctuate), and then I chime in on Thursdays at 11:30 eastern. A   complete listing of the   37 classes to date   is on my website , along with direct links to the video lessons. Yup, you read that right - thirty seven lessons!! And we're still making more. Videos will be up for one year after air dat...

"Eddy," 11"x14", acrylics and graphite on stonehenge paper, $399 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. This piece will be shipped flat and need to be framed and set behind glass by the buyer. I accept Paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Purchase inquiries can always come   to me . More art therapy. It's cold and damp in Michigan today and the world seems caught up in an odd vortex of insanity. So what do I do? I work at the easel while wearing my woolen winter hat, and think of baby swans in icy, swirling waters. Now I'm off for some hot tea. Thanks for following along with my painting journey, Kim

DETAIL "Cygnets," 11"x14", acrylics and graphite on stonehenge paper, $399 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. Full image is below. This piece will be shipped flat and need to be framed and set behind glass by the buyer. I accept Paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Purchase inquiries can always come   to me . I am thinking about metamorphosis and animals that represent change. Also tenderness and vulnerability, which is always summed up neatly in a baby anything (except for maybe a honey badger - I bet those things are fierce as heck from the first breath!) Our lives, our world, is in flux, and painting hopeful images of creatures that embrace that is peaceful to me. Sort of my way of putting my head in the sand. So here is your art therapy for today. Thanks for following along with my painting journey, Kim

IN PROCESS, WORKING TITLE "Cygnets," 11"x14", acrylics and graphite on stonehenge paper, $399 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. This piece will need to be framed and set behind glass by the buyer. I accept Paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Purchase inquiries can always come   to me . Every day I get at least one email or message, asking about my process. Which means I must not be doing a good enough job talking about   my online classroom,   where I share all the magic and more. This painting is being filmed as it progresses, and my students will get all the deets about my concept, and see the process from the underpainting to the finishing touches. Plus they get the added benefit of discussion, links to my sources of inspiration, learn what I'm reading and thinking about as I create. If this sounds interesting,   come on over   and join us! Meanwhile, Cygnets should be finished later this week, and ...

"Meadow," 18"x24", acrylics and graphite on stonehenge paper, $599 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. This piece will need to be framed and set behind glass by the buyer. I accept Paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Purchase inquiries can always come   to me . The sun is shining, it's all nice and spring-green outside, except for the snow falling. Big, fat flakes. I'm in denial inside. Thanks for following along with my painting journey, Kim

"Sunrise," 18"x24", acrylics and graphite on stonehenge paper, $599 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. This piece will need to be framed and set behind glass by the buyer. I accept Paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Purchase inquiries can always come   to me . I've been doing a lot of experimental things in the studio lately, but today I wanted to feel a bit more accomplished. So I set out to finish something that had been started a bit ago. This was the initial study for the   larger 36" x 48" jackrabbit painting   I have in process, but as I worked on her today, she took on a life of her own. She's rather hopeful, just like the promise of a new day. Thanks for following along with my painting journey, Kim

Earlier this month I was pleased to learn that my online vendor was offering cloth facemasks printed with my artwork. What a fantastic way to brighten up an outing! You can order   here   - first choose the image desired (images are grouped by category/subject matter) then the item (facemask). And if you have made a special request for a particular image, I've not forgotten about you - I should get to them this week, and will send you an email when it's completed. Thanks so very much! Studio News from April 2020 Things continue to run smoothly here at the Santini's. The girls are done with their online courses, as last week was final exams, so we have a bit of mad time before summer studies pick up again. We are making the most of the sunshine and the dogs are clocking lots of miles alongside us. I've been working steadily on commissions (thank you so much to those of you who have reached out to start your projects!). I have a wonderful variety of ...

In honor of what should be Kentucky Derby Week, I am sharing my original equine work, which is something I've done this time every year since 2007. "She Bows Her Head and Honors the Light in All of Us," 24"x30", acrylics on panel, $899 plus s&h. This painting is cleated and wired on the backside, so the buyer has the option of hanging it floating-style on the wall. It can also be framed. I accept Paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Purchase inquiries can always come   to me . So what does one do after painting the official Derby art (scroll below to see that painting along with a short video about it's making)? Well, I sought a way to paint more expressively, more dynamically, to capture emotion and other sensory responses in my work beyond the mere capture of a scene or object. And that's pretty much what I have been pursuing in the last 5 years. I've studied with some extraordinary creatives, learned how to push my materials ...