Paintings With Soul

    Dang. It's October already. Where did the summer go?   To implement this month's desktop calendar, download the file  directly from my website . I've set up a couple different ways to do this, either via the photo album or a direct link.   I am by no means an expert on the variety of operating systems, so I highly recommend that if you don't know how to change your desktop wallpaper, don't email me for advice. Instead consult your computer's help files - they will be more concise, more knowledgeable and more responsive than I could ever hope to be.    I've sized this to fit a standard screen height of 768 - I realize there are lots of variables that could impact how the file displays on your screen. Let me know if, once you get the file installed, there are display quality issues (keep in mind, too, that options such as "stretching to fit," "tiling" and "cropping" will impact your display, so c

Yoda, 6" x 8", acrylics on museum quality panel, still life painting of a Star Wars Lucas Film hand puppet. This painting is available for $329 - inquiries may come  to me . SOLD (thank you!) I squealed when I found this doll at the STD Flea Market in Springfield, MO (no, that is not a typo, there really is an STD Flea Market in Springfield, MO). I mean, come on, who DOESN'T love Yoda? And he's a great, calming presence in the studio. So I'm shooting to have a good number of doll paintings for an exhibition this coming April. And I'm open to suggestions - when you were younger, who/what was your favorite doll or toy? Like always, in process pics are  on Facebook . Enjoy your weekend, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com PS   Did you hear about  my painting giveaway ?

Bear's Backscratch (finished), 12" x 20", acrylics on museum quality panel, a commissioned portrait depicting a delightfully goofy Golden Retriever, private collection (THANK YOU!). Inquiries may come  to me , though, because I can make something like this starring YOUR dog especially for YOU.     I wish I could paint like this every single day! In process pics chronicalling the last two days' work are  on Facebook .   Thanks for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   PS   Did you hear about  my painting giveaway ?

IN PROCESS:  Bear's Backscratch, 12" x 20", acrylics on museum quality panel, a commissioned portrait depicting a delightfully goofy Golden Retriever, private collection (THANK YOU!). Inquiries may come  to me , though, because I can make something like this starring YOUR dog especially for YOU.     You've seen Bear and his sidekick Nita many times before. Daydream ,  Nana Nana Na Na ,  Cannonball ,  Snuggle Bunny , Snow Much Fun  - the list goes on and on and on, but you can see that these two are perfect muses and I take great joy in painting their antics.   Is your dog (or cat) a muse? you can always introduce us via digital photos.  Shoot me an email  - I paint from non-flash photos   that you have personally taken  (very important!) where the animal is at least 1/3 of the picture.    Thanks for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   PS   In process pictures are here  on Facebook .

Ballerinas from Broadway Dance Co opened Alayna's benefit concert this past Saturday with a moving rendition of friendship and bravery. Alayna, a friend of my daughter, is recovering from chemotherapy complications.      This weekend, my community joined forces and showed what love can do. Performers sang and danced, with tears and broken voices, and there was no doubt that Alayna and her family were deeply loved.   Many of you, people with no connection to this girl, have been praying for Alayna, some made donations to her medical fund, there were items donated for a silent auction - some even donated blood and platelets when she was so critically ill in early August.   At a time when the media primarily shares news of strife and immeasurable heartache, it's key to remember that we are not trapped in a world gone haywire. We each have the capacity to change lives. To motivate. To inspire.   And small kindnesses, when heaped together, do greater

Flopsy, original painting 9" x 12", depicting a lively and larger than life lop eared rabbit, gorgeously framed for $679. Also available as a reproduction, print sized 15" x 20", only one print and only via an online auction benefitting  Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary .     I donated a reproduction of Flopsy to the Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary in memory of Lily, our sweet little rescued dwarf rabbit who passed away last winter. Lily - and Clover, who we still have and love on every day - were adopted from our local shelter years ago, but at the time we had also been talking to GLRS about the possibility of adopting from them.   They do a fabulous job rehoming those in their care, and it seemed fitting to help other buns out in Lily's name.   The auction runs through this Sunday (September 22nd).   So Bid Here For Flopsy's Print. And View The Other Auction Items Here.   And thank you SO much for supporting their efforts!!  

Hostess I and II, each 5" square for a total surface size of 5" x 10", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting the best cupcakes in the history of ever. Available at auction (see below). The Princess's friend Alayna was diagnosed with leukemia at the beginning of the summer. Her cancer is in remission (as of two days ago - yee haw!!), but she is recovering from side effects that occurred during treatment. We've been busy planning a benefit concert for her - that will happen this coming Saturday. Meanwhile, in an additional show of support, I want to auction these two cupcakes. A Sweet for a Sweetie. 100% of the proceeds will go to Alayna and her family. The auction will continue through 8pm EST on Sunday, September 22nd. Bid Here. Meanwhile, if you are local, consider yourself invited to  A Concert for Alayna  Saturday at Wildwood Pavilion (in Lake Orion, Michigan), from 11-8pm. Local entertainment, food, vendors, auctions, raffle -

Kiran's Spotlight, 11" x 14", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a young dancer and friend of The Princess, not currently available. However, inquiries may come  to me .     Sorry about the blurry photo - the best I can do given the current lighting situation! I'll try again tomorrow!   I decided the background needed more warmth, but still had to be cooler than the foreground. Once I figured that out, I was able to go and finish Kiran's body.   I thought I was done, but I see a couple edges I want to soften. I'll hold off on declaring her entirely finished, then, until Kiran's parents get a peek at it and give me some feedback.   And I make those tweaks I want!   Thanks for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   PS   In process pictures are here  on Facebook .

IN PROCESS:  Kiran's Spotlight, 11" x 14", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a young dancer and friend of The Princess, not currently available. However, inquiries may come  to me .     I'm at an impasse. Measuring and wondering if the grays in the background would be better with a glaze of transparent orange overtop, just to amplify the heat of the spotlight. But then again, perhaps I need the contrast (not just from a value standpoint, but from a value AND color temperature perspective).   And until I figure it out (which way is the best compliment to the poised figure? that's a queation only I can answer), I'll hold off on finishing Kiran's profile and putting additional detail into her form, just to keep everything balanced. So yes, the edges are soft and fuzzy, but that's just a temporary stage!   Hoping to see my way clearly very soon!   Thanks for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtl

Trouble Brewing, 6" x 12", acrylics on museum quality canvas, depicting the insanely cute tabby troublemaker daVinci, available to the first one asking "pretty please," $499, and those "pretty pleases" may come  to me . NOTE: This painting suffered damage recently, with one corner getting dented. This will not be visible if framed,however, I will discount the painting to reflect the damage to $299.   Yes, it's another daVinci painting. I'm distracting myself with cute kitten memories instead of fixating on the weatherproofing around the doors that he's eaten. And the screens pocked with holes. And the two strips of wallpaper he literally chewed from the wall right above the couch in the family room. But isn't he cute? (and don't worry, My Better Half adores this guy, so he's not going anywhere!)     Thanks so much for following along with my artwork!! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com