Paintings With Soul

    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

"Day One," 11" x 14", original acrylic painting, depicting Paws With a Cause Golden Retriever mother and her new baby, private collection. Limited edition giclees on artists' paper remain available, image size approximately 8" x 10" with a generous white margin, priced at $50 each plus $15 s&h. $10 from the sale of each giclee will be donated to Paws With a Cause. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope this finds you well into a year of great promise. The Santini family enjoyed a wonderful holiday together, sharing and building memories regularly into the wee hours. I am back in the studio a little wider and a little wearier (gotta get my body used to only 3 meals a day & an earlier bedtime!!), but ready to take on all that comes my way in 2009! I had not planned properly for the sheer quantity of emails - inquiries, requests, orders - that would face me on my first official day back in the studio after th...

"Dazzle," 6" square, Paws with a Cause service dog portrait, acrylic on board, $249 to the first buyer. Proceeds from the sale of this painting will be donated to Paws with a Cause. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. Paws with a Cause is a national group dedicated to providing assistance dogs for people with disabilities. They also provide a lifetime of support, fostering independance. I took this from their mission statement - read more for yourself at http://www.pawswithacause.org/ . In the beginning of the Painting a Dog a Day project I met UKON, a Paws service dog. Shortly after that, I got to paint Madison and Sirius, and the list goes on and on. Each Paws dog I meet is uniquely special, and to personally witness the bond they share with their person is humbling. To support the efforts of Paws with a Cause through my painting sales is phenomenal. I met Dazzle last winter at the Detroit Kennel Club dog show. She was all too eager to go thro...

"BFFs," 8" x 16", Labrador Retriever double dog portrait , acrylic on canvasboard, $449. Proceeds from the sale of this painting will support the service dog organization Paws with a Cause ( http://www.pawswithacause.org/ ). Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . For those of you without a text-crazed teen, "BFF" stands for "Best Friends Forever." This painting depicts Josie with her childhood best friend, Sadie. Josie was raised for a year by a foster family, then turned over to Paws with a Cause so that she could begin her service dog training. Ultimately Josie will make an immeasurable difference in someone's life. But meanwhile Josie's puppyhood was spent romping with Sadie, the girl next door. Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with your friends and family, See you tomorrow, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com www.turtledovedesigns.com

"Big Shoes to Fill," 8" x 10", Paws with a Cause service dog puppy portrait, acrylic on canvasboard, $274. Proceeds from the sale of this painting will go to Paws with a Cause ( http://www.pawswithacause.org/ ). Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Today's painting had many false starts before I finally was able to match what was in my head. What do I do with the ones that don't work? I throw out the really bad paintings and others get wiped down if still wet. There is the misconception that every painting an artist does is good. On a good day, 25% of what I paint is worth keeping, or at the very least, able to be fixed during another session. Thank you to returning collectors Sue Brooks and Ellen Gray, for their purchases of "Izod Puppy" and "Black Lab Profile (Izod)." Thanks, as always, for sharing these paintings with your friends and family members. I really appreciate it, as does Paws with a Cause and the other she...

FROM TOP: "Ready (Izod in Harness)," 4" x 8", black lab service dog portrait, acrylic on canvasboard; "Lab Profile (Izod)," 4" x 6", black lab service dog portrait, acrylic on canvasboard, SOLD . Proceeds from the sale of the above paintings will be donated to Paws with a Cause ( http://www.pawswithacause.org/ ) . Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . You saw him as a pup yesterday, full of promise. Well here is Izod all grown up and in his gear, complete with ruffley collar (this is a guy comfortable with his masculinity!). Izod is an attentive, willing, and honest dog. He is also a hero in his person's eyes, as he helps with her mobility and other everyday tasks. Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with your friends and family. See you tomorrow! Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings http://www.paintingadoga...

"Izod," 5" x 7", portrait of a black lab Paws with a Cause puppy, acrylic on canvasboard, $165. 10% of the purchase of Izod's painting will be donated to Paws with a Cause. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. Without a doubt, Paws with a Cause clients and volunteers are some of the most generous people I have had the pleasure to meet. The clients eagerly share details of how their service dog has enabled them to independantly manage aspects of everyday life that previously posed a challenge. And volunteers talk about their first Paws puppy - inadvertantly how that dog impacted their entire life's perspective during its short stay in their households. You can learn more about Paws with a Cause on their website: http://www.pawswithacause.org/ . I am proud to support their efforts through the Painting a Dog a Day project. Thank you to new collectors (and Paws with a Cause volunteers) Laura Voncina and Julie Steiff for their purchases ...

"Wilma," 6" x 8", golden retriever Paws with a Cause service dog portrait, acrylic on canvasboard, private collection (THANK YOU!). 10% of the selling price of this painting will be donated to Paws with a Cause ( http://www.pawswithacause.org/ ). Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Wilma is part of the breeding program at Paws with a Cause. They breed their own puppies, using dogs they know to be healthy and with great dispositions. This proportionally increases the number of puppies that successfully complete training and lead long lives as service dogs. Wilma had her first litter on leap day in February. 9 pups of 11 survived. That's 9 human lives that will be changed forever when they welcome their service dog. Thanks, as always, for looking at and forwarding on these paintings. It's truly appreciated. See you tomorrow, Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings http:...

"The Gift," 8" x 10", pet portrait depicting Mystic, a Paws with a Cause service dog, acrylic on canvasboard, $274. 10% of the sale of this painting will be donated in the purchaser's name to Paws with a Cause ( http://www.pawswithacause.org/ ) . Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. I don't think I can say anything about this painting that it can't say, loudly and clearly, itself. So I'll just be quiet. I have a good variety of works on display throughout the Brandon Township Public Library in Ortonville (Michigan) during the month of June. The collection includes some framed dog-a-day portraits and a number of larger than lifesize gallery stretched canvases. For directions, hours and additional information, you may call the library at 248-627-1460. I am very proud of the latest on-line exhibition sponsored by the Canine Art Guild. You can see a wonderful selection of artists' favorites by viewing the new show at www.ca...

"Black Lab Study (Jackpot)," 6" x 8", Paws With a Cause service dog painting in acrylic on canvasboard, depicting a black labrador retriever, $199 to the first buyer. 20% from the purchase of this painting will be donated to Paws With a Cause ( http://www.pawswithacause.org/ ). Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. I have painted Jackpot before - his initial painting is featured on notecards ( http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/pet_portrait_notecards.html ). At the time I did the first painting, I flagged one of his reference photos to paint at a later date. As you can see, he was - is - far too regal to pass up. I love painting dark animals because of the way the light plays off their fur. Earlier this week you saw a black/dark gray long haired cat where the light picked out orange and lavendar highlights in the fringes of her body. In Jackpot's instance, the light literally carved his skull out from underneath his skin, bleaching the fur to a pal...

I am now taking orders for giclees on two of my most popular paintings. "Day One," original painting now in a private collection. Giclees, image sized at approximately 8" x 10" with a generous white margin, $50 plus $15 s&h. $10 from the sale of each "Day One" giclee will be donated in the purchasers' name to Paws With a Cause. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . "Recommended Reading," original painting available for purchase. Giclees, image sized at approximately 11" x 14" with a generous white margin, $50 plus $15 s&h. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . I am thrilled to share that my painting "Wanna go for a walk?", received an honoable mention at the Orion Art Center's All Media Show. If you recall, I mentioned last week that I was excited to see how well my new still life paintings fared in this exhibition. I had animated conversations with many at the opening, each of us sharing memo...

ARTISTS NOTE: Giclees are available of this painting. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com "Day One," 11" x 14", Paws With a Cause golden retriever mother and pup portrait, acrylic on canvasboard, painting in process but available for purchase, $399. $80 from the sale of this painting will be donated to Paws With a Cause in the buyer's name. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. Today I am guilty of being terribly overambitious. Who can blame me, though, when handed the reference photo that inspired this painting? This is Hula and her litter of one, Peyton, on their first day, napping in a little shaft of sunlight. And the pose demanded a larger painting. To date I hadn't completed an 11" x 14" as a dog a day piece. Then add in the two dog factor. Also, the reference photo was black and white. That meant I was flying by the seat of my pants when trying to visualize the nuances of wispy feathering, brand new fur, and a soft ...

"Pearl," 5" x 7", yellow lab service dog puppy portrait. SOLD. Pearl was well through Paws training, and on her way towards being a hearing dog, but her allergies precluded that. She now lives with her foster family, works as a therapy dog, and spreads joy wherever she goes. 20% of the sale of Pearl's painting will support Paws With a Cause ( http://www.pawswithacause.org/ ). Yesterday's painting of Luna is available for purchase (my client has requested a smaller version to better match the other dog-a-day pieces already on her wall). Luna's painting is 8" x 10", and priced at $249, with $48 of that purchase price going to Paws With a Cause in the buyer's name. You may view Luna's painting on the Painting a Dog a Day blog ( http://www.paintingadogaday.blogspot.com/ ) under March 5th 2008. Inquiries can always come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . I also have fielded two inquiries/votes for giclees of Luna's painting. If I get 5...

"Luna," 8" x 10", black lab service dog puppy portrait. Like the remainder of the paintings from this week, the proceeds from Luna's painting will be donated to Paws With a Cause ( http://www.pawswithacause.org/ ). Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Luna went off to school, but things didn't work out. She's returned to her foster puppy family, where they are further assessing her skill set and capabilities. Then Luna will be set up with specific training to allow her to accomplish that. In the past, PAWS puppies who cannot live their lives as full-time service dogs have enjoyed a diverse range of jobs: acting as a demo dog for school-visits and other demonstrations, filling in as a "loaner" in instances where the primary service dog has become ill or is unable to work, even completing intensive task specific training such as search and rescue. I have no doubt that Luna's future will be bright - you can see it burning in he...

"Demi," 6" x 8", chocolate lab PAWS service dog portrait, $199 to the first buyer. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . "Larkin," 4" x 6", black lab PAWS service dog portrait. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . I cannot imagine nurturing and loving a puppy for a full year, only to have to give him/her back. But that's what these foster families do. And they cannot wait to do it again, either. Overwhelmingly these individuals/families (even teens - Demi was raised by a teenager!) find comfort in knowing that "their dog" will make a significant difference in someone's life. They say their tearful goodbyes, and begin to look forward, toward the next one and another opportunity. Meanwhile, the foster parents are updated on the progress "their dog" makes in training, and often form friendships with the person who eventually receives "their dog" as a service dog. It's a gift that ...

Welcome to March's Animal Welfare Week! Every month I dedicate the first full week to profiling dogs in need. Periodically I partner with Paws With a Cause and share their stories of triumph. This week I'll be painting service dogs from Paws With a Cause, with a special focus on the individual relationships between the dogs and families who work in tangent. It is well choreographed, so many lives changed for the better on every front. PAWS dogs are bred by PAWS staff, using animals they know to be free of health issues (such as hip dysplasia, behavioural or temperment concerns, etc). Puppies are raised by foster parents, who socialize the dogs and begin basic obedience training. After a year, the youngsters are then turned into headquarters where they begin their lessons at "school." Ultimately each dog completes their own training regimin and is carefully matched to an individual based on the dogs' skills and the individuals' needs. This entire effort is a hu...

"Spirit (Golden Retriever Study)," 8x10, commissioned pet portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, private collection (or so I believe - I haven't heard back from my client yet). Spirit was a gentle, intelligent, loving dog, the sort who seemed to draw people to her with the warmth of her grin and the wagging exhuberance of her tail. She competed in obedience, flyball, agility, and field work, excelling at everything. . She became a Paws With a Cause dog with only 2 weeks of training. Spirit did literally hundreds of programs and presentations for PAWS, introducing the public to the benefits of assistance/service dogs. She worked with prospective clients considering getting their own PAWS dog, and even performed as a PAWS loaner dog for folks in between service dogs of their own. Spirit touched the lives of all who knew her, and is still deeply missed. I hope that my portrait brings back a glimmer of her wise old soul. Thanks, as always, for taking the time to look at my paint...

“Violet,” 6x8, commissioned PAWS service dog portrait depicting a black lab, private collection (THANK YOU!!!) It might seem cliché, but of course, Violet’s portrait had to be Violet. And it started out that way, but slid back into my familiar range of blues. She does have a wonderfully pensive look about her though, one that I was afraid I might lose if I went back into the painting and tried to change things. Violet was headed towards life as a service dog, and then got redirected. She now is a representative of PAWS, making public appearances, and generally serving as an advocate for the organization. Did I say earlier this week what a privilege it is to work with a group like PAWS With a Cause? Please take a couple of minutes to view their site – http://www.pawswithacause.org/ – and learn more about their mission and how they achieve it. Meanwhile, I need to thank a new collector (I’ll keep your name secret, since your painting is a gift!) for their purchase of a painting from my ...

“Thank You (Josie),” 6x8, yellow lab Paws With a Cause foster puppy portrait, $180. $36 from the sale of this painting will be donated to Paws With a Cause (www.pawswithacause.org). Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com (I am waiting to hear back from Josie’s foster mom – she gets first dibs on this painting). Josie is a Paws With a Cause foster puppy who recently graduated from foster care, and began her advanced training. That means her foster family no longer has the joy of her company. Her foster mom shared with me her thoughts and emotions about the year she shared with Josie, and as I read them (all teary eyed, I must warn you), I thought of what sort of reply Josie would have. Hence the title of this painting. I give you the following with Josie’s foster mother’s permission: “….She came to me as a soft, unbelievably cute puppy, warm, sweet and smelling of puppy breath. Within five minutes, she wet on the floor. In the next year, she stole my heart…. Josie and I w...

ARTIST'S NOTE NOVEMBER 6th: I reworked Quito's portrait - scroll down to see the changes! “Quito,” black lab PAWS puppy, 6x8, acrylic on canvasboard. Quito is another Paws With a Cause puppy-in-training. This painting is the result of a gift certificate given to Quito’s foster parents (yes, I offer gift certificates!). I had thought Quito’s painting was done prior to my leaving for class tonite. However, when I returned home and saw it with fresh eyes, I recognized some needed changes. But, I still had an obligation to share a daily painting with you (and not enough time to make those changes and get the piece posted!). So take a peek at tonite’s attachment, and see if you might be able to anticipate what I will be repainting. I wish that everything I painted was perfect the first time around, but I make a heck of a lot of mistakes. That’s how I learn. There are many paintings that never see the light of day, and that’s important for those of you who are artists to understand ...