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Showing posts from October, 2013

November Desktop Calendar

Welcome to November! I hope everyone has a safe evening trick-or-treating tonite (if that's how you choose to celebrate Halloween). Feel free to eat an Almond Joy in my honor. Actually, you are welcome to eat as many as you want! 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, t

There are a few spaces left for holiday portraits......

Rag Dolls, In Process

In Process detail of "Rag Dolls," 8" x 16," acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting two vintage handmade rag dolls, including one rather sorry looking Raggedy Anne. Inquiries may come to me. Was reading Richard Schmid's "Alla Prima II" over the weekend, and came across a tenderly rendered painting of a doll. He acknowledged that dolls can be spooky, but also said that they are a reflection of who we are.  I was greatly reassured to read his words and know that even a great master like himself also plays with dolls in his studio. More pics of these two ladies, including my still life setup, on Facebook . Thanks as always for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com PS Thank you JW for your handmade doll - she's been sitting here in the studio all these years, and today was delighted to be chosen for her own special painting!

Sketching Annie

"Annie, Sketch," 6" x 8", acrylics on museum quality panel, the most recent in five different sketches (the other four are underneath). You can see the first one here . If you've taken one of my workshops, you know how many sketches and studies we do together in a handful of days. It's a pressure-free zone, sketching. It's easier to take risks because it's just a study. If it turns out, fantastic - and if not, we just paint overtop and try it again! After a workshop, I come back to my studio, jump right into creating more finished paintings, and forget about the beauty and importance of sketching regularly. I'm making a conscious effort to change things. Thanks as always for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com About Kimberly Santini  Facebook

Triple Threat, Completed !!

"Triple Threat," 12" x 22", acrylics on museum quality panel, a commissioned larger-than-lifesized portrait of three wonderful little terriers, private collection (THANK YOU!). I have a few pre-holiday spaces left for commissions - please  email me  and we can talk about the process. I just sent the jpg of this one to my client for final approval. Fingers and toes crossed that she's just as delighted with today's work as she has been all along! In process pics are here . Thanks as always for your attention, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Happy Birthday, Caped Crusader !!

"Evan Patrick, 11 mos," 6" x 8", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a young toddling Santini. Not for sale. Given the right references and full creative license, I am accepting a limited number of children's portraits - email me  your non-flash photos and we can talk. Today is The Caped Crusader's birthday. It's a milestone one - he's 16. Not sure how that happened, but I spent some time with a shoebox of photos and a box of kleenex. And decided that I had to pick up my brushes, just for him. Thanks as always for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

An Auction to Benefit The SAMFund

TOP ROW, left to right, "Bud," "Tendril," BOTTOM ROW Reaching," and "Glow," each 4" square, acrylics on museum quality panels. These paintings will be auctioned with 100% of the proceeds going to  The SAMFund , a group like no other that offers financial, professional and emotional support to young adult cancer survivors. Please feel free to share the links to this auction, and take a hand in helping The SAMFund gift their one millionth dollar. The auction is ongoing and will and run seven days, until Tuesday, October 29th, 2013. Bid on  Bud Bid on  Tendril Bid on  Reaching Bid on  Glow Over the weekend I asked on  Facebook  what to paint. Several people mentioned flowers, which I nixed right away because I pretty much suck at them. But then I realized I wouldn't get any better if I didn't try. And I don't always want to suck at anything. I also tried to channel my hero, L

Triple Threat, Continued Progress

CONTINUED PROCESS, Triple Threat, 12" x 22", commissioned portrait depicting a family of little troublemakers (Yorkshire Terrier and Yorkie mixes), done in acrylics on a museum quality panel. This one is heading to it's new home as soon as it dries, but ask about having your own pets memorialized in an original painting! I am composing this newsletter from a new computer - not everything is set up yet, but I'm slowly migrating and converting files, reconfiguring as I go. And when my brain screams "NO MORE COMPUTER STUFF!" I just pick up my brushes and work on these guys. I'm thrilled with how they are progressing. And so is their family, which matters even more! In process pics, along with detail shots, are over here on Facebook . Thanks as always for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

In Process, "Triple Threat," a three-headed dog portrait

    IN PROCESS, Triple Threat, 12" x 22", commissioned portrait depicting a family of little troublemakers (Yorkshire Terrier and Yorkie mixes), done in acrylics on a museum quality panel. This one is heading to it's new home as soon as it dries, but  ask  about having your own pets memorialized in an original painting!     I was angered yesterday to learn of yet another "artist" who copies others' artwork and presents it as their own. And a so-called "artist" selling original oil painting portraits that are really photos run through a computerized filter printed on canvas and coated with varnish. And a company that's made a habit for years of stealing artists' designs and selling them as their own.   It seems like there's no shortage of people trying to make a buck off another's hard work.   I'm sending warm thoughts to my friends and colleagues who are preparing for copyright battles - and thinkin

Patience

    Patience, 12" x 12", depicting a beautiful tri-colored spaniel, done in acrylics on a museum quality panel. Patience is the  #PaintMeSantiniOctober  winning portrait, and SM is gleefully adding this painting to her collection. Reproductions can be ordered  here , and inquiries about getting a portrait done of YOUR dog may always come  to me .     It was a tough call,  narrowing down the #PaintMeSantiniOctober contest candidates to a handful , and then choosing from among them. Thank you so much to everyone who played along and so generously fed my muse - I do see more paintings in the works here!!   But this piece is our winning portrait - chosen because of the timeless mood/pose, the fabulous play of pattern against quiet negative space, and the riot of color in his face.   Thanks as always for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Studio Newsletter, Fall 2013

Greetings, Long Lost Newsletter Fans! Writing newsletters seems to get pushed to the bottom of my to-do list, probably because I  blog  daily. And am really good at procrastination.   Getting a daily note out to subscribers and on the  blog  takes discipline and, often, a good chunk of my day. And I feel like I'm already communicating with you regularly enough because I'm sending something out nearly every day already.   But yet I forget that many choose to receive a condensed newsletter format, and then when I neglect to put a newsletter together, I am neglecting those who have opted to stay in touch, just less frequently!!   I don't want to neglect you any longer!! My apologies for not being better at staying in touch - this is me, making a renewed effort! (Well, actually, I'm not a true blonde and I prefer football to baseball, but I think you get the picture....)   Quick review of my spring-summer: I taught a  3 day workshop in Baton Rou

Fall, In Process

    In Process, "Fall", 12" x 16", depicting a young Golden Retriever frolicking in autumn leaves, acrylic on museum quality panel. This original painting can hang in your home for $629. Inquiries may come  to me .     Three starts. That's what it took me to get this piece going (you can see the remnants of an upside down dog on the bottom edges).   Gotta keep on keeping on. (In process pics  here .)   But now I'm outta painting time. It's Homecoming weekend, and there's kids to collect, feed, layer up and deliver to the game.    I'm hoping to get some phone calls done whilst running about.   Enjoy your weekend! And Go Dragons!! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

At Peace (Gracie May)

    At Peace (Gracie May), 12" x 18", depicting our neighbor's dog. I started this painting at my Dragon on the Lake demo in August of this year - it was a hot and windy day, which led to a little excitement as I painted with one hand steadying the canvas on my easel. Today Gracie made it to my studio easel for the finishing touches. This painting can be yours for $639. Inquiries may come  to me .     On any given day I can peek out my studio window and catch a glimpse of Gracie May sunning herself at her home across the street. Usually with a shoe nearby.   A rescued dog, Gracie's of uncertain ancestry - she's much taller and lighter boned than a typical lab, but has their sweet disposition and fondness for cookies. Lumpy and stiff with arthritis, her tail thumps upon your approach and she rolls for a good belly rub.   If I'm especially lucky, she'll get up, drop her head, wiggle her butt, and howl with anticipation when I cr

Koi I, II, III and IV

    From left to right: Koi I, II, III, IV, each 6" square, together measuring 6" x 24", acrylic on museum quality panel, depicting koi fish in a natural pond setting, all four panels together available for $699. Inquiries may come  to me .     I came home from last night's art guild meeting inspired and wanting to paint. Since I had to stay up and wait for a kid to return home, I poured a glass of wine and reached for my brushes. You can see what I worked on long past said kid's return  here  - including the work today.   Around lunch I got to a clear stopping point and decided to work on something entirely different - an idea I have had for quite some time.   So this afternoon was spent fishing.   The four panels are meant to stay together - and yet each of them also works well alone, as you can see in the individual photos below.   Once the originals sell, I'll offer reproductions on these four. I can see them brighten