Paintings With Soul

      "Catch!," 9" x 14", portrait of a yellow lab, done in Golden Open Acrylics on an Ampersand Gessobord. Add this painting - and a big grin - to your collection for $599. Inquiries may come  to me .   Despite a day fraught with interruptions - the phone, carpools, a furiously barking dog, and a myriad of other events trying to draw me astray - I finished my painting. A rather ambitious one to boot. Doesn't matter that it's the nth hour. I'm very pleased with myself.   Seems extra fitting that I also was reading something today about unabashedly allowing your happiness to shine. This girl has that part down - we could all take a lesson from her!   Meanwhile, I'm off to bed - looks like tomorrow could be a repeat of today.   Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my paintings with your friends and family, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com     COMING UP ~~ PAINTING WORKSHOP "Mixing Color Not Mud": Saturday, Octob...

"For Her Eyes Only," 5" x 7", the latest addition to my  "Saratoga Series"  of paintings, portrait of a Thoroughbred Racehorse, done in Golden Open Acrylics on an Ampersand Gessobord (see my reference material below). Add this painting to your collection for $289. Inquiries may come  to me . SOLD Yesterday,  Three Chimneys Farm  (a Thoroughbred racehorse breeding facility) shared  a photo of a 2 year old filly  on their Facebook page. I was immediately struck by her unique markings (see the skull shape in her blaze?), and wanted to paint her. I did a little research, and discovered she was currently in Saratoga, New York - even handily won her first race yesterday! I sent a emails to friends who were in the Saratoga area - were they planning on going to the track soon, and if so, could they keep an eye out for her? Meanwhile, this afternoon, I pulled up my own references (I wanted to paint a gorgeous dark bay wearing a plaid cooling sheet, ...

      It was an incredible weekend to be in Lake Orion, as we celebrated the Dragon who lives in our lake with a huge community wide festival.   Over the course of the weekend, there was a lighted boat parade, an old-tyme waterski show, artist demonstrations, dragon boat races, a rock wall, BMX and skateboard ramps/props, vendors, GEOcaching, food, beverages and all sorts of other great times.   Including a sidewalk chalk art contest.   Which my very own Princess and her friend The Fairy Goddaughter participated in (that's their smurf-blue chalk-covered feet above). They spent a day and a half creating  a fabulous piece  featuring a dragon of their own creation under full moon. And earned Best of Show for their age division. Color me proud.   And do you remember my Lesson Painting  Marley vs The Dragon?   (or even  the search for my dragon hunting muse? ) Well my painting of the fearless Marley was chosen a...

      "Callie," image approximately 6" x 5", roughly centered on an 8" x 10" artists' multimedia board. This one already has a fabulous home, just like it's cute namesake.   It's been a busy week here - higher than normal email volumes have kept me busy fielding inquiries (is it possible the holiday rush has already started?). The dog's needed a little extra TLC (see below), there's been football camp and back-to-school shopping, and an oddly elevated amount of laundry, too.   One more week of summer vacation before the school year routine commences. While I am sad to see my time with the kids end, I am also looking forward to holing up in the studio with my paints, and digging in to some fabulous new concepts I have brewing.   And it's football season!! The (Lake Orion) Dragons have their opening game tonite, a perfect way to usher in our Dragon on the Lake festival this weekend.   Hope you have a glorious time doi...

      "Squared," image approximately 3-1/2" square, roughly centered on an 8" x 10" artists' multimedia board. This sketch can be yours for $59 plus s&h. Inquiries may come  to me .       Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my paintings with your friends and family, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com     COMING UP ~~ PAINTING WORKSHOP "Mixing Color Not Mud": Saturday, October 8th, at the Orion Art Center in Lake Orion MICHIGAN.  Email me  to get on the early bird list.   What's the difference between a painted sketch and a painting?   Great question!   Painted sketches are done in acrylics on paper, more loosely detailed, a little whimsical. They must be displayed behind glass. Their size (rarely larger than 9" x 12") and complexity depend entirely on your budget. They start at $49.   Paintings are done on museum quality panels, carry more detail and density...

      "Twilight," image approximately 6" x 7" roughly centered on a 9" x 12" mounted artists' multimedia board. This is a commissioned portrait of two dogs, one in the twilight of his life, the other a sage youngster comparatively speaking. Done in Golden Open Acrylics. A special thank you to my new collector SB, who's been planning and waiting patiently for her painting.   Marley (the Beagle) had been scheduled for a single portrait but when his Mom shared a remarkable photo of Marley and little (bigger) sister Billie slowly ambling off together, the concept for his painting changed completely.   He left this world peacefully in July, at the ripe old age of 15.   I just love how this composition sums up his relationship with his family. Always at their side.   Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my paintings with your friends and family, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com     COMING UP ~~ PAINTING ...

      "Family Portrait," 12" x 12", commissioned portrait of two Jack Russell Terriers, done in Golden Open Acrylics on an Ampersand Gessobord. This one's not for sale - it's already headed to a new home.   And I'm not really sure how much of a background story I can share about these two. Let's just say that one of the parents is deployed, and the portrait will be a huge birthday surprise for the other stateside parent.   Please help keep this a secret if you think you know the two muses. And thank you!   Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my paintings with your friends and family, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com     COMING UP ~~ PAINTING WORKSHOP "Mixing Color Not Mud": Saturday, October 8th, at the Orion Art Center in Lake Orion MICHIGAN.  Email me  to get on the early bird list.     Finnigan says "OMG, YES!! she does one of these  every day..... I'm so over this. Why ...

  ORDER NOTECARDS/REPRODUCTIONS     "Roxy," 8" x 10", portrait of a little black French Bulldog, done in Golden Open Acrylics on an Ampersand Gessobord. This one's not for sale - she's already got a most excellent home.   However, I know there will be those wanting something similar, so just  email me  and we'll put together a killer project  just for you .   This is the live demonstration painting I did on Saturday at Raining Cats and Dogs  in Frankenmuth, Michigan. I moved a good hunk of my studio onto their front porch, and set up for an idyllic day of pushing color about and chatting it up with passers-by.   For the record, I am so pleased that they invited me to hang my artwork in their store AND allowed me to come work with them for a day. I can't wait to do it again.    If you didn't make it up this weekend, that's ok - my work is there indefinately, and I will regularly bring up new paintings, too. ...

  ORDER NOTECARDS/REPRODUCTIONS     "Kittyscape," 6" x 12", another  Gratitude Painting,  a portrait of my little Mona Lisa, done in Golden Open Acrylics on an Ampersand Gessobord. Proceeds from this painting (and all Mona's others) will be donated to my local shelter (from whence she hailed). Inquiries may come  to me .   In order to keep the emails short but sweet (that reminds me I have a Whatchamacallit candy bar tucked in my desk... yum!), I'm moving Lesson Paintings onto  the studio FB page . There's  multiple images of this one in process , along with some random notes of mine, over there.   Let me know what you think about this arrangement - it's all about keeping you happy!!    Also, getcher Mona-Bug fix  here  - where you can view all the paintings of the Buglet to date.   Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my paintings with your friends and family, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesi...

Once this original painting sells, I'll make reproductions (notecards and giclees) available in my  FineArtAmerica storefront . "Ladybugs," 12" square, a portrait of two Great Dane little ladies, done in Golden Open Acrylics on an Ampersand Gessobord. These pups hail from a recent litter rescued by  Ohio Great Dane Rescue (OGDR)  and the painting is the latest addition to my  Gratitude  series. There is a short wait list for "Ladybugs," and I am working through those in the order received. If you would like an option to purchase them, please send me  an email.  I have a feeling that this painting, like the puppies, will find a wonderful home in no time at all. SOLD. If you didn't see them yesterday, some in process pics are on  the studio Facebook page . I'm off to lead my grownUP journallers in tonite's workshop - we are playing with graphite and watercolors, which should be a good time. Meanwhile, who to paint tomorrow? deci...

    "Ladybugs," an in process painting of two Great Dane pups from  Ohio Great Dane Rescue (OGDR),  and the latest addition to my  Gratitude Paintings  series. This piece is 12" square, and will be available for purchase when completed (tomorrow?), with the proceeds going to OGDR. If you are interested in purchasing "Ladybugs," I suggest you get in line now by  sending me an email . I have this feeling that these girlies won't be around for long. SOLD. And yes, I know that the general idea is that I complete a painting each day. HOW-EV (said with attitude - my kids are teaching ME stuff these days!), some paintings demand more than a day's effort, and these two darlings asked nicely for extra time. How could I say no? they are behaving so well in the studio. The ladybugs, on the other hand..... A few in process pics are on  the studio Facebook page , if you are interested. Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my ...