Paintings With Soul

In process detail of "Still Waters (Bear)," 16" x 20", acrylics on museum quality panel, commissioned portrait of a Golden Retriever I've painted more often than my own dog, acrylics on a museum quality panel. Ask nicely if you would like one of these portraits starring your pet . In some ways, it's shockingly wonderful. There are people who care enough about my artwork to pay me. It's crazy! (THANKS!!) And some of them care enough to buy multiples - I am shipping 5 pieces off next week to a home that already holds far more than that. How lucky am I? (THANK YOU!!) And there are those who interact regularly via emails and messages, feeding my muse with their questions, ideas, and generosity. You keep my brain dancing with the possibilities. Again, how lucky am I? (and THANK YOU TOO!) And then there are those, who, for whatever reason, shift from fan to collector to friend. Bear's portrait is going to someone who's done just th...

"Sadie," 6" x 8", acrylics on museum quality panel, commissioned portrait of another beagle, also rescued and very beloved, acrylics on a museum quality panel. Ask nicely if you would like one of these portraits starring your pet . The nice thing about working in a series (like this recent collection of beagles) is that once momentum happens, it's easy to keep moving. My palette is full of rich velvety beagle-y colors, the paintings look wonderful as a grouping, and my client (so far) is very happy. It'll be a total change of gears tomorrow when I hit the studio. I'll be working on a water dog commission - for those who aren't familiar with my water dog paintings , well, I suppose you will get an introduction tomorrow. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

"Simon," 6" x 8", acrylics on museum quality panel, commissioned portrait of a beloved rescued beagle, acrylics on a museum quality panel. This painting has a home, but I can fit just a few more pre-holiday commissions.  Ask nicely . Number 2 of 4 beagle commissions, this is Simon. I painted ahead a little bit (I had planned on being out of the studio later this week, but that fell through) - you can see in process pics of all 4 over on Facebook . Which means I may be able to start a water dog portrait this week, as opposed to next...... my brain and fingers are tingley at the opportunity! Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

You can 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 not an expert on operating systems, so if you don't know how to change your desktop wallpaper, please don't email me - I will indubitably steer you wrong. Your computer's help files 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 check those first!). Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim

"Simon," 6" x 8", acrylics on museum quality panel, commissioned portrait of a rescued beagle with the dearest eyes, done in acrylics on a museum quality panel. This one already has a home, but I can take on a couple more pre-holiday commissions.  Just ask me nicely . Back to the dogs. And back to my regular palette, too - while I loved working with the grays all week, there was something super reassuring about having the opportunity to make decisions today. Like lime green. And pthalo blue. And cadmium orange. Those colors make me so happy. But I know it's all about finding a balance. I'm working in that direction! Meanwhile, Oliver starts of a pack of beagle faces. You can keep up with them all over on Facebook . Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

"Grey III," 6" x 8", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a dark bay Schleich model draft horse, $329 to the first asking nicely . There's a lot to be said for working in a series - it really gives you the opportunity to lose yourself in an idea. This week , my challenge has been using a limited number of colors (5 tubes of paint), mixing harmonious yet colorful grays, while working up simple still lifes inspired by model horses. I can't stop. I have to - I have some commissions to get to - but I can't stop. I may squeeze another one in later tonite. So far there's three paintings in this series - Gray I and Gray II remain available. All three of these will look gorgeous grouped together and I will give preferential pricing to any collector who wishes to purchase the collection. Message me! Pics of all the Gray paintings, including in process ones, are here . Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Wa...

"Grey II," 6" x 8", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a gray Schleich model pony, $329 to the first asking nicely . I told you I couldn't wait to get back into the studio last nite. And this is what I painted, while dinner was roasting. Another model/toy horse, a Schleich dappled gray. Here's the tubes of paint I used: Titanium White Cadmium Yellow Dark Alizarine Hue Ultramarine Blue Carbon Black Been doing computer and paperwork all day, but I've got another one set up, which perhaps I will get to later tonite after a handful of meetings. Fingers and toes crossed it'll work out that way! Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

"Grey I," 6" x 8", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a gray Schleich model pony, $329 to the first asking nicely . The light is grim in Michigan today, which meant I could set up a still life in the studio and not have much ambient light change affect my setup. I pulled out this Schleich pony, on loan from a fan who happens to live in my neighborhood AND her daughter dances with mine (go figure! we didn't even know that!), and set out a limited palette. Titanium White Cadmium Yellow Dark Alizarine Hue Ultramarine Blue Carbon Black There is such luminosity here and delicate transitions to my planes - I enjoyed carving this painting out immensely! So much so that I grabbed another pony and got him all lit dramatically. And then realized it was time to start shuttling kids to and fro. But, once we all are home again, I want to have another go at this. Maybe after dinner and homework. In process pics (including Gray II...

Very much in process, "Fall," 12" x 16", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a golden retriever frolicking in autumn leaves, $629 to the first asking nicely . In process photos can be viewed here . A Typical Day Check voice mail. Check and prioritize emails. Check the studio Facebook page. Return phone calls. Touch base with Art Center and relay tonite's class size. Review needed materials for class and pack. Tweak lesson plan to include last minute ideas. Schedule private lesson (this is a gift certificate winner from fundraiser). Review materials list for my workshop in December. Order what I need. Photograph paintings and archive. Send photos to clients. Connect with new collector to discuss project. Check and respond to email. Paint for 90 mins. Write and schedule blog post. Touch base with two galleries. Review open commission inquiries - follow up on lost details. Brai...

From the Emerging Series, "Ballerina," 11" x 14", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a beautiful buckskin filly, $599 to the first asking nicely . I started this piece two months ago , then got caught up in other projects with deadlines, and set her aside. Until now. Because today she spoke up, and asked for me to spend some time with her. I was more than happy to do so.  And I am thrilled with the way she turned out! Thank you to Lisa from Team Husar Photography  for the rights to Ballerina's inspiration photo - Lisa shares the best inspiration with me, and it's always super fun to work from her photographs (remember photos are not free for your taking, whether you find them on the internet or elsewhere - you must ask the photographer for permission to work from them). The painting's progression is right here  - there are lots and lots of photos! Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, ...

"Hayley," 18" x 24", a memorial portrait of a beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, acrylics on museum quality panel, private collection (THANK YOU!). I do have a few spots left for holiday portraits -  speak now or forever hold your peace! Hayley got lots of attention this weekend and today, and I think she may be finished. I just sent jpgs over to my collector and am holding my breath......  I am especially happy with the detail and color in her ears, and how they frame her beautiful and tender little face. In process photos are here . Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim

IN PROCESS, "Hayley," 18" x 24", a memorial portrait of a beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, acrylics on museum quality panel, private collection (THANK YOU!). And yes, I have just a few spots left for holiday portraits -  speak now or forever hold your peace! Here is Hayley's portrait after a few days of work - slow and steady progress is being made. I adore her soulful eyes and those long, silky ears.  This painting will sing with color and gorgeous, deliberate, brush strokes. Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim

"Bad Dog I" and "Bad Dog II," which I suppose are from the "Emerging" series since they are on darker grounds, each 4" x 6" but completed on one 8" x 6" panel (so they are one painting that includes 2 images), acrylics on museum quality panel, inspired by an old wooden vintage Fisher Price Little People dog, $329 to the first asking nicely. And if you would like, I will cut these two apart so that you will have two separate paintings, all for the price of one. Just ask here! Yesterday sneaked past when I wasn't looking. Today's doing the same thing. But meanwhile, I was able to come into the studio last nite for a little quiet time with my brushes and easel, and I eeked out this little panel featuring two versions of a bad dog - one who grins and lies to your face, and another who averts his eyes and pretends he/she didn't do it (we all know both those looks well, don't we!?). This afternoon I...

"Rainbow Fresian I" (above), "Rainbow Fresian II" (below) and the Breyer horse inspiring them, who I'm just now realizing is most likely an Andalusian. Each piece is 19" x 24" acrylics on bristol board, entirely original artwork. They will need to be framed and displayed behind glass. Available via FB auction -  Click here for purchase information.  My Muse Spoke Up...... ... and she asked for the artists' equivalent of Girl Scout cookies. She wanted to play with color and line. So I indulged her by pulling down a Breyer model horse from the top of my bookcase and having fun. Both of these pieces started as contour drawings, then became embellished with more and more paint. It was a great exercise in less-is-more and it reminded me of the joy I have for my materials. And then I got super excited thinking about these hanging in a horse crazy little girl's bedroom. What a perfect gift that...

"Stevie," from the "Emerging" series, 12" x 12", acrylics on museum quality panel, starring a young Thoroughbred race horse and a smidgeon of dramatic light (and some glare in both upper corners from studio light!), $599 to the first asking nicely. Ask here! With Stevie's painting, I decided to go with a (somewhat) historical limited palette - only 5 tubes of paint were used. Which created some challenges, I agree. And I may redo this composition with different choices, but first I want to simmer with it a bit. In process pics are here - along with some great conversations about color and value. I'm officially starting year 8 of daily painting. That's 8 years of getting in the studio and creating something, mostly start to finish, daily (well, for me, at least 5 days/week). At first, daily painting pushed me way out of my comfort zone, then it became an important creative habit that fed my muse. As of late it's become ...

You can 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 not an expert on operating systems, so if you don't know how to change your desktop wallpaper, please don't email me - I will indubitably steer you wrong. Your computer's help files 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 check those first!). Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim