Paintings With Soul

Today’s dog started out as a portrait, but then I got carried away with color and feathering, didn’t pay enough attention to proportion, and ended up with a squatter and orange-er version of the dog. Doesn’t matter, for I’ll try my hand at her another time, and this painting has merit of it’s own. Here she is, an orange and white Brittany, tucked into a 4x5 canvasboard, but still busy scenting the air. All inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . This is my last dog-a-day for 2006 – number 51. Thank you for coming along these last few months – I’ve had a blast, and find myself growing as an artist with each painting. I am eager to continue this project through all of 2007. Let’s see what the new year drags in…… ! Thanks, again, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with friends and family. Wishing you a happy and safe New Year celebration, Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings http:...

ARTIST'S NOTE FEB 6th: This painting has been juried into the 2007 Art Show at the Dog Show, and until the show comes down on April 9th, is available for purchase via the event organizers. They can be reached through the show website: www.artshowatthedogshow.com . This piece is exquisitely complimented by a rich, wide, burled wood frame, and priced at $150. ARTIST'S NOTE SEP 25th: This painting was juried into the 47th Annual Thumb Exhibition, where it received an honorable mention. SOLD. Today’s dog was inspired by a bulldog I painted back when I first started accepting commissions. Winston was introduced to me along with a very long list of accomplishments and awards, but none of that mattered – I just wanted to get lost painting him - the dramatic folds of skin, the way his markings had softly faded over the years, that snippet of tongue that was always peeking out, and the intelligence lurking deep in his eyes. This is a square piece, loosely based on the Winston that I rec...

After almost a full day of procrastination, capped off by spending a few minutes with our neighbor’s lab mix this evening, I returned home and painted a pair of soulful lab eyes. There’s something about a lab’s gaze - their saturation of honesty perhaps - that I find purely irresistible. So, that said, I give you today’s dog – “Yellow Lab Study,” 4x8, acrylic on canvasboard, $60. All inquiries can come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. I am continuing to collect images for future dog-a-day paintings. Digital images can be submitted to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Regular photos can come to the studio: 346 N Anderson, Lake Orion, MI 48362 (sorry, regular photos cannot be returned unless you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope). Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with friends and family. Happy New Year! Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings http://www.paintingadogada...

Today’s painting, a brindle boxer, is a cacophony of color. Blues, oranges, violets, and some pinks. I love the sheen to his eyes, and his concentration. Is he following a peanut butter sandwich, or waiting for the right moment to snag some other treasure? At 8” square. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with friends and family. Happy New Year!! Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings http://www.paintingadogaday.com/ come. sit. stay. enjoy the art. Founding member of the Canine Art Guild http://www.canineartguild.com/ the gateway to canine art on the web

After years of begging, this was what our kids found under our tree two years back, just a couple of weeks before Christmas. Their reaction was great – not the expected “We got a dog!! We got a dog!!” squeals, but a tentative and confused inquiry – “Mom, why is there a puppy in the house?” Christened “Finnigan,” but now answering to a host of (usually) endearing names, this blue heeler pup has grown up and worked himself into our family dynamic quite well. I never tire of painting him, as his coloring gives me an excuse to dive into the blues and pinks and really play with brushwork and texture. This piece is 4x6, and not for sale. As soon as it dries, it’ll get wrapped up for Evan, my 9 year old, who moonlights as Finni’s partner in crime. Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with friends and family. Happy Holidays everyone!! Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings http://www.paintingado...

In the interest of every child who’s ever asked Santa for a puppy, I submit today’s painting. It’s a little Jack Russel/Parson’s terrier, all bright eyed, with loose brushwork and endearing character. The best part of this little guy? No chewed slippers or poop patrol! And really, at 4x5 and $50, he’s bound to bring a smile to someone’s face. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with interested friends and family. Happy holidays, Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings http://www.paintingadogaday.com/ come. sit. stay. enjoy the art. Founding member of the Canine Art Guild http://www.canineartguild.com/ the gateway to canine art on the web

As promised yesterday, here is good ole’ Huck. At 6” square, this painting packs a lot of character into a small space, just like Huck himself. SOLD. Thanks as always for looking. And for sharing these paintings with friends and family. Happy holidays, Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings http://www.paintingadogaday.com/ come. sit. stay. enjoy the art. Founding member of the Canine Art Guild http://www.canineartguild.com/ the gateway to canine art on the web

Today you are getting two sweet little faces. This first one is Lacey, a 4x6 hound mix singing with oranges and reds. Then comes Maggie, a tender little Boston Terrier done up in violets and blues on a 5x7 canvasboard. Santa came a little early to my clients' household, which means that I finally get to share these paintings! These paintings were privately commissioned a few weeks back. It was as simple as emailing digital images to me ( ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com ), and coordinating a preview via email before shipment. Darned easy, and a lot of fun!! I especially enjoyed the surprise element!! Tomorrow’s painting will be another one unwrapped this past weekend, starring a second Boston Terrier, so stay tuned! Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with friends and family, Happy holidays, Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings http://www.paintingadogaday.com/ come. sit. stay. enjoy...

Yes, he's no dog, but technically, he has four legs and a tail, so I'll let him pass tonite. "Toulouse (Black Cat)," 5x7, cat portrait in acrylic on canvasboard. SOLD. Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing the paintings with friends and family. Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings http://www.paintingadogaday.com/ come. sit. stay. enjoy the art. Founding member of the Canine Art Guild http://www.canineartguild.com/ the gateway to canine art on the web

“Pug Study II,” 4” x 4”, pug dog painting in acrylic on canvasboard, $50. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. Today I revisited a favorite reference photo, one which I painted almost lifesize last winter. You can view the original painting, which is 18” square, at www.turtledovedesigns.com/canine.html - it’s the second one down the page. This smaller version reads dramatically different, both because of the scale and the cropping. And maybe, too, because I've grown as an artist. One can only hope! Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with your friends and family. Hope you are enjoying the season, Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings http://www.paintingadogaday.com/ come. sit. stay. enjoy the art. Founding member of the Canine Art Guild http://www.canineartguild.com/ the gateway to canine art on the web

"Grinch (Rottweiler Study)," 4x5, rottweiler dog painting in acrylic on canvasboard. Inquiries to ksantinI@turtledovedesigns.com . Doesn't he look like he's just been through the wringer at the mall?! I love his crabbiness. Thanks as always for looking, and for sharing my paintings with your friends and family! Happy Holidays! Kim PET PORTRAITS: www.turtledovedesigns.com PAINTING A DOG-A-DAY: www.paintingadogaday.com

"Howl (Husky Study)," 4x6, dog painting in acrylic on canvasboard, $50. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com SOLD. I almost titled this painting "Caroling," and entertained myself while painting with lists of possible tunes he could be belting out. "Silent Night" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" were my two favorites. I messed up!! My apologies! I had this piece completed yesterday (December 12th), and posted it to my newsgroup in the afternoon, but neglected to log in later in the evening and share it with you. Thanks, as always, for looking, and for sharing my paintings with your interested friends and family! Happy holidays, Kim PET PORTRAITS: www.turtledovedesigns.com PAINTING A DOG-A-DAY: www.paintingadogaday.com

"Beau (Brittany Study)," 4x6 dog portrait in acrylic on canvasboard. This one isn't for sale - Beau was my first dog, my best friend during those tumultous teenage years, and for whatever reason I hadn't painted him since he died over 15 years ago. It's nice to have a small bit of him back. I wish you could see the stash of commissioned Dog-a-Day paintings I’ve got going on here in the studio. They are holiday gifts, getting wrapped and sent out to their respective new homes, so I will not be able to share them until the new year. The paintings have been sailing off my brushes the last few days, so again this week I can say that I am able to accept a handful of commissions for completion (and delivery) prior to the holidays. Please email me ( ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com ) if you are interested – I do need reference materials by this coming Friday (the 15th). Thanks, as always for looking. And for sharing these paintings with interested friends and family, Kim ...

"Maxine (White Great Dane Study)," 8"x8", dog portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, $80. There are so many beautiful pastel colors in this painting, which would look incredible with a nice gilt frame. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. The muse for this painting is available for adoption. A friend of mine has been fostering Maxie for several weeks. She has been spayed, is up to date on her shots, is 1 year old, does not chew, and is terribly loving. Please email me ( ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com ) if you are interested in adopting this sweet dog. Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with interested friends and family. Kim PET PORTRAIT STUDIO: www.turtledovedesigns.com PAINTING A DOG-A-DAY PROJECT: www.paintingadogaday.com

Now that I've gotten some content on my blog, which includes multiple images, some readers are encountering delays while the page loads. I have stripped my images down to a lower resolution to maximize load time, but if this continues to be an issue, please consider switching to the newsgroup. The newsgroup will email each image as they are created. Every workday you will get one email sent directly to your address, several hours prior to the blog getting updated. This gives you the opportunity to view the painting at your convenience, in a format that's easy to share. And no more having to dial into the internet, then log into blogspot and twiddle your thumbs while the page loads - the daily dogs will come directly to you. Now if I could just get them to bring the paper, too!! Thanks, Kim STUDIO: www.turtledovedesigns.com PAINTING A DOG-A-DAY PROJECT: www.paintingadogaday.com PS I do listen to your concerns - please do share your thoughts - ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

"Pete (Australian Shepherd Study)," a 6"x8" dog portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, $80. SOLD. This is yet another commissioned Dog-a-Day painting. They are as easy as sending a handful of digital photos to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com , then pulling up a chair, and waiting your turn. I do have a few Dog-a-Day spots left prior to the holidays, for those of you hunting for that perfect gift - inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Thanks, as always, for looking. And please, share!! Feel free to send this to interested friends and family. The more the merrier! Kim STUDIO: www.turtledovedesigns.com PAINTING A DOG-A-DAY PROJECT: www.paintingadogaday.com

Two for one, today! "Ozzie," 4x6, border collie portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, $50. "Cody," 4x8, collie portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, $60. BOTH SOLD. I have a limited number of Dog-a-Day spots available in time for holiday gift giving on a first come basis - inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Thanks, as always, for looking, Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini PET PORTRAITS: www.turtledovedesigns.com DOG-A-DAY PAINTINGS: www.paintingadogaday.com

"St Bernard Study," 4x6 dog portrait in acrylic on canvasboard. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Due to popular demand, I have a limited number of daily slots available for commissions prior to the holidays; inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . I also wanted to mention that I will combine shipping on multiple purchases. Additionally, I can gift wrap and ship to your recipient directly. Thanks, as always, for looking! Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

"Gracie," 5x7, mixed breed (lab and weimereiner?) painting in acrylic on canvasboard. Not for sale. Thanks, as always, for looking, Kim Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

Today's portrait stars a fiesty little piebald rat terrier. This little dog painting is 6" square. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Thanks, as always, for looking, Kim Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

"Addie," welsh corgi portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, 6x8. SOLD. As always, thanks for looking, Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

"Kaya (Basenji Study)," 6x6, dog portrait in acrylic on canvasboard. SOLD. Thanks, as always, for looking, Kim PS Just a reminder - if you want a sneek peek at the daily paintings, subscribe to the Painting a Dog a Day group by using the Google box at the top and bottom of this page. Subscribers get a preview and a pre-purchase opportunity each day, which could be key to your getting a killer gift for that hard-to-shop-for person on your list!! Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

"Doxie Study (Jack)," 5x7, daschund dog portrait in acrylic on canvasboard. SOLD. Thanks, as always, for looking, Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

"Doxie Study (Chloe)," 4x5, daschund dog portrait in acrylic on canvasboard. SOLD. Thanks, as always, for looking, Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

"Feast," 8x16, miniature pinscher dog painting in acrylic on canvasboard, $160. All inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com This image seemed especially suited for the end of our Thanksgiving week..... Thanks, as always, for looking! Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

Yum II (doxie study), 6x8, daschund dog painting in acrylic on canvasboard. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Thanks, as always, for looking. And, those of you celebrating American Thanksgiving tomorrow, enjoy yourselves! Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

Harlequin Great Dane Tongue Study, 4x6, dog painting in acrylic on canvasboard, $50. Available. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com SOLD. Thanks, as always, for looking, Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

ARTIST'S NOTE SEPT 25th, 2007: This painting has been exquisitely framed in a deep cherry burlwood molding. Consequently, it is priced at $149. Bulldog study, 5x7, dog portrait in acrylic on canvasboard. Available to the first buyer. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD . Don't forget that you can have the Dog-a-Day's emailed directly to you! Just use the Google boxes at the top (or bottom) of this blog to subscribe! I've also built a Dog-a-Day website , called, imaginatively enough, http://www.paintingadogaday.com/ . At the end of each week, I'll update that site with some of the paintings that are still available for purchase . Because I've also had a number of readers ask about simplifying their hunt for just the right painting, I've added breed specific keywords to this blog. So now you can search away!! Thanks, as always, for looking! Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged pai...

Weimereiner study, 6x12, dog portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, $90. Available to the first buyer, inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Thanks, as always, for looking, Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

Bouvier study, 5x7, dog portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, $60. Available to the first buyer. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Thanks, as always, for looking, Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

Shepherd study, 4x5, dog painting in acrylic on canvasboard. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com You might notice a brighter look to the blog today; I made a few design changes to the template so as to show the artwork off better. I also added a search feature - in the upper left corner there is an entry bos where you may type in a keyword (lab, terrier, available) and all applicable posts/paintings will be displayed. Hope this helps you to browse through as the dog-a-days increase in number! Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

Corgi study, 6x8, dog painting in acrylic on canvasboard, $80. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com SOLD. Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

"Buck," 4x8, dog portrait in acrylic on canvasboard. This guy isn't for sale - he's my father's hunting buddy, and deserves a spot of honor somewhere near the gun cabinet. Thanks as always for looking! Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

Boston terrier study, 4" x 8", dog portrait in acrylic on canvasboard. Available to first buyer for $60. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com SOLD. Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

Yellow Lab in Water, 5x7, dog painting in acrylic on canvasboard, $60. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com SOLD. Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

Boxer study, 4x4, dog painting in acrylic on canvasboard. Available to first buyer for $50. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Thank you for looking! Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

Yorkie study, 6x12, dog painting in acrylic on canvasboard, $90. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com SOLD. Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

Yum, 5x7, dog painting in acrylic on canvasboard. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Thanks for looking! Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

Dog-A-Day Newsgroup Some people have complained that they do not have internet access at work, or do not always have time to check into the blog each day, but they want to follow along with the paintings. Or by the time they can share the painting with a significant other (usually the one with the checkbook), the painting is already sold. While I can't really fix the whole sold situation (except by painting more prolifically!), I can help out in another way. I went ahead and built a newsgroup to accompany the painting a Dog-A-Day blog. Interested readers can subscribe to the newsgroup by typing their email address into the Google bar at the very top of this blog page, and hitting the "Subscribe" button. By subscribing to the newsgroup, each (painting) day you will receive an email. You will get this email, along with an attachment of the Dog-a-Day painting several hours prior to the blog getting updated. I hope that this helps out, and encourage you to keep your ideas c...

Yellow Lab Resting II, 4x6, dog painting in acrylic on canvasboard, $55 to first buyer. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

Yellow lab resting, 5x7, dog painting in acrylic on canvasboard. $60 to first buyer. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com SOLD. Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

Terrier study, 4x5, dog painting in acrylic on canvasboard, $50 to first buyer. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com SOLD Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

Great Dane study, 4x5", dog painting in acrylic on canvasboard, $50. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

Golden Retriever puppy, 5x7, dog painting in acrylic on canvasboard, $60. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . What a great pet portrait to add to someone special's stocking...... SOLD. And he will be in someone's stocking!! Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

Shitzu study, 5x7, dog painting on canvasboard, $60. Available to first buyer, inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

The Misty's Blue Misty, 6x8, canvasboard. Pink Misty, 4x5, canvasboard. SOLD . Over the weekend I did two studies, both pet portraits, playing with values and the temperature of the light. I painted a specific dog, and thus, both works are now hanging in their new home. Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

Basenji study, 5x7, dog painting on canvasboard, $60. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

This is yesterday's painting. Still playing catchup! Pug study, 5x7, dog painting on canvasboard, available for $60 to first buyer. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

From Tuesday, when the Dog a Day idea first hit me. After I picked myself up, brushed myself off, and figured out the whole logistics of the project, there was no time left to actually do the post of the painting!! Here she is. Chihuahua study, 4x5, dog painting on canvasboard. SOLD Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings

Yes, you read the title properly. I MUST be crazy. To commit to painting a dog every single day. Simply to paint every single day. But I think I can do it. Well, perhaps I should revise that. I know I can do it. I know I can. I know I can. Why does that sound familiar????? Actually, I am inspired by my mentor Elin Pendleton , who recently completed an entire year of a painting each day. And there's a whole group of committed artists doing this already on www.dailypainters.com - there's some pretty exciting artwork going on there! Capped onto these ongoing projects my recent exercise of starting a new little piece each day to warm myself up for (supposedly) bigger and better things. You see, I am a pet portrait artist by trade. I paint dogs and cats and horses and guinea pigs and all other assortment of animals. But it's dogs that make up the majority of my work. And their great diversity in proportion and expression continues to fascinate me. So, I'm defining a pre...