Paintings With Soul

"Shelter Tabby," 5" x 7", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a lovely gray tabby (of course, those who have painted with me will know that gray is never really gray - there's lots of color there!). This painting is being given away to support my local shelter - please read below for details. The Princess and I visited our shelter last week to drop off a donation. We were saddened to learn that they were at full capacity with cats. And there were so many wonderful kitties there, all ages, colors and sizes, happy to be played with and loved on. There was a crew of regular volunteers grooming and nurturing and letting us know about personalities/etc, and we enjoyed ourselves for over an hour. Of course we fell in love with a couple residents. It's impossible NOT to. We can't bring any more pets into our household (we are at capacity here too) but we decided we could still help out by sponsoring a couple cats and rai...

"Pick Me, Pick Me !! (Little Nicky)," from "The Gratitude Project," (2) 6-1/2" x 3" panels which together create one 6-1/2" x 6" painting, done in Golden Open Acrylics on Raymar panels, depicting a tiny black shelter kitty. $299 will get you both paintings and a donation made to the San Francisco SPCA, where this wee little one hailed from. Inquiries may come to me . SOLD. "The Gratitude Project" evolved as I searched for a way to carry the serenity discovered at Best Friends during last summer's visit. Nothing makes me feel better than doing good - whether that be for a client or someone else - and the air in Kanab was saturated with peace from all the positive change created at the Sanctuary. I connected with a few of my friends involved with rescue across the country and shared my idea of painting and profiling shelter animals, who, regardless of their circumstances, maintain the capacity to love and forgive. Everyone I spoke ...

"Rio," image approximately 5-1/2" x 5" and roughly centered on a 7" x 10" sheet of Multimedia Artboard, sketch done in Golden Open Acrylics, commissioned portrait of a shelter rescue, private collection (THANK YOU!!). Also, Rio's a Christmas gift, so if you know his family, please don't spoil the surprise. Rio's portrait looks differently than my other works, I know. It's what I consider a sketch, even though it's done in paint. I offer sketches on this fabulous paper that is almost like a board - and I can size the piece to match your wall or budget or dog (the paper comes in 22" x 30" sheets). Let me know if you are interested. Last night I put the third Dog a Day book to bed!! "Come Sit Stay" is well over 100 full-color pages packed with reproductions of my favorite paintings from 2009, an essay about the year, several lesson paintings, and more. The books will be available at the end of next week - I'll ...

Still in process - "Come" and "Play," each 8" square, Golden Open Acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord, portraits of Oreo, a delightful little put bull who recently was adopted. Oreo came into the Berkeley (California) East Bay Humane Society as a 4 month old pup with mutilated ears and an injured leg. He spent some time healing, then learning manners, before finding his forever home. Which didn't take long - after all, he is a charmer, with looks and style. How can anyone resist? I'm still working on Oreo's two paintings and should have them done in another day or two, but if you are interested in one, please let me know , so that I may set it aside for you. Proceeds from the sale of Oreo's portraits will go to the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society as appreciation for the care they gave this special dog. Do you know a companion animal like Oreo? Please d rop me a line and we can talk about including him/her in the Dog a Day Gratitude Project. ...

"Siblings," 12" x 14", acrylic on gallery stretched linen, depicting a litter of pit bull puppies, $799. A limited edition (25 only) of giclees on artists paper also available, image approximately 10" x 13", signed in pencil by the artist, $59. Proceeds from the sale of the original and the reproductions will be donated to my local shelter, the Oakland Pet Adoption Center. Inquiries may always come to me . I am thrilled to share my latest limited edition reproduction, this one extra special because it supports animal welfare efforts. Here in the US, we are on the cusp of our biggest shopping season ever. I encourage you to consider original artwork as you begin making gift giving decisions. Local craft and artisan fairs, independently owned shops in your area, and online storefronts are a great starting point for locating original one of a kind gifts. All of my paintings available for purchase are listed on Etsy (returning collectors get 10% off the li...

"Together (Lily & Clover)," 6" x 12", bunny portrait, Golden Open Acrylics on canvasboard, $359 to the first collector who asks nicely (and remember, if you already have an original, you get 10% off!). Proceeds from the sale of this painting will go to my local shelter, the Oakland Pet Adoption Center. Inquiries may always come to me . I'd like you to meet the newest Santini family members, delightfully personable even though they have their backs to us in this painting. Lily of the Valley (white bunny with gray ears) and Clover, or Lil and Clo for short, joined us in early September. This summer Evan and Anna talked Dad into allowing them to get a rabbit (I'm a pushover - I always say yes when it involves an animal). They saved up their money, researched rabbit care, and helped Dad build a hutch. I let my girlfriend know we were on the hunt for a bunny - she is an animal control officer at our shelter and she promised to keep an eye out for us. We al...

"Siblings," one of three of my paintings included in the Canine Art Guild's Helping Paws Exhibition, on display at http://www.canineartguild.com/gallery/ through the end of this month. The Helping Paws Exhibition is one of a kind. Participating artists, all members of the international group the Canine Art Guild (CAG) , partner with an animal welfare group or shelter in their area. Artists pledge proceeds from the sale of one (or two or three) artworks to their partner group or shelter. Many of them also include a statement summarizing their relationship with this particular group. People's Choice awards are given as well, allowing the viewing public (internet based!) to choose their favorite pieces of art. Typically a People's Choice award goes to the artist, but in this case, the People's Choice award goes to the artists' partner group or shelter. The membership of the CAG is especially proud that, in these particularly stressful times for shelters...

Yesterday got out of hand rather quickly. We are dogsitting for my brother and Bailey got loose. I spent the afternoon tracking her quite literally over the river and through the woods, around and across the lake, until she finally surrendered. I have a mountain of friends and total strangers to thank - my neighbor who selflessly joined in the hunt (Karen, just name your price!), the recruits who phoned in sightings, and the kids and lab-mix who ultimately herded Bailey into exhaustion after almost 3-1/2 hours.   Bailey is the picture of perfect behavior today, but she will not set a foot outside this house without a leash on for the rest of her life. Finnigan also "donated" his collar, so that should she play Houdini again, she'll at least have a local number on her collar.   So that's why there was no painting yesterday - I didn't get into the studio at all. I can count on one hand the number of times this has happened, and I apologize.   It felt great to get in...

WORK IN PROCESS:  "Cairn Kisses," 12" square, terrier portrait of four waggy Cairn Terriers, acrylic on canvasboard. This is a special painting and I don't think I'll have it for very long. Inquiries may come to me .   The days don't get much better than this - glorious sunshine streaming in, nuthatches busily flitting through the studio garden, the dog contented at my feet, and an exciting canvas on the easel.   These happy little critters are all rescued dogs from Calliope Cairn Terrier Rescue . This painting is about half completed - you can see that I've established the form of the four dogs (although one needs a little more work as she's melting off the edge) and begun to model them with broad shapes and strokes of color. I will continue to work in this way, from general to more specific, adjusting and refining and correcting, as the layers of paint build up.   Proceeds from the sale of this painting will help Calliope continue to...

"Out of the Dark," 4" x 8", beagle portrait, acrylic on canvasboard, $249. Proceeds from the sale of this painting will be donated to my local shelter, the Oakland Pet Adoption Center. Inquiries may come to me . SOLD. Busy day today - I've got an event this evening. It's an Arts Night at an elementary school. I'm given a classroom, which I turn into a pet portrait gallery, complete with a digital slideshow, finished artwork and pieces in process, including preparatory sketches and studies. For 4 hours tonight I will lead short drawing lessons and talk about the faces you have all seen as part of Painting a Dog a Day, encouraging children and young adults to consider their love for art as they plan for their futures. It's always a great night, and I return home exhausted yet painfully energized. I'm looking forward to it. And exercising the option of not painting tomorrow, should I feel like I need a little down time. So perhap...

"Contented (Tabby)," 11" x 14", feline portrait in acrylic on canvasboard. Proceeds from the sale of this painting will be donated to my local shelter, the Oakland Pet Adoption Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Inquiries may come to me . This painting is a play of warm and cool temperatures. Essentially the sidewalk concrete is a cooler gray mix, while the cat has touches of cadmium and pthalo blue red, warming his grays up and thus placing him firmly in the middle-ground. I still have much to learn about the push and pull I can create with slight color temperature shifts, but I am very happy with the progress I am making via my latest paintings. Each day I become a little wiser and a little better. And wouldn't this painting make the most fabulous Mother's Day gift? Thanks as always for sharing my artwork. And I will see you tomorrow, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com PS Don't forget to shop my Etsy store - I'm covering the shipping ...

"Wide Eyed," 6" x 12", dog portrait depicting two merled Australian Shepherd pups, acrylic on canvasboard. As with yesterday's painting , proceeds from the sale of "Wide Eyed" will be donated to my shelter, the Oakland Pet Adoption Center. Inquiries may come to me . Another busy day spent juggling computer and paperwork with pushing paint. Wish I could spend the whole day at the easel, but there are other things to see to. Like the publication of my first article! Canine Collectibles Courier , a magazine based in Australia, has published an article I penned outlining my artist journey to date. If you are interested, you can visit their website and get information on how to subscribe/purchase this issue. Looking for more reading material? Consider purchasing a copy of my first book  Painting a Dog a Day - the First Year . I've just received the third press run for this book. Softcovers are $39.95 and hardcovers are $54.95 - orders may c...

"Little Masked Man (Aussie Pup)," 4" x 6", Australian Shepherd puppy portrait, acrylic on canvasboard, $199. Proceeds from the sale of this painting will support my shelter, the Oakland Pet Adoption Center, who by the way, just announced they will hit their goal of being a no kill shelter by 2010!!!   Inquiries may come to me .   Those curious to hear how the Oakland Pet Adoption Center tackled the problem of homeless pets in our community may read more about it here.   The inspiration for this painting came from photos submitted by a Dog-a-Day reader who does fostering and rescue work. Last fall she sent multiple pics of this litter, and I fell in love. I've got another painting in process on the easel - red and blue merled pups.   I know I've fallen a little behind on my email and client correspondence, but was smacked silly today when I sat down to prep contact sheets and realized I had no photos from any of the four clients booked for th...

"Symphony in White (Calico)," 8" x 16", acrylic on canvasboard, portrait of a calico cat. Proceeds from the sale of this painting will support my local shelter, the Oakland Pet Adoption Center. Inquiries may come to me at ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . The painting didn't photograph terribly well, which seems to always be the case with pieces that fall at either end of the value chart. It's reading more pink on my monitor than it truly is in real life, and there is a lovely soft glow to the cat's eye that is washed out on the computer. This piece was inspired by James McNeil Whistler's "Symphony in White," which you can see here . I wanted to paint in the same sort of key as the original "Symphony of White" without sacrificing color. That must seem contradictory to some of you, and I'll try to explain better. What I wanted was the cat's markings to "float," while carefully controlled color t...

"Three's Company," 8" x 16", triple German Shorthaired Pointer portrait inspired by (from left) Tater, Desmo and Ripley, acrylic on canvasboard, $529. Proceeds from the sale of this painting will be donated to my local shelter, the Oakland Pet Adoption Center. Inquiries may come to me via email .   These three characters came from the German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue in Southern California. They are the latest three of 9 GSDs this family has loved. And what's there not to love? These guys are goofy, eager, sincere, and always ready for a great romp. Word has it they are evil-good cuddlers, too. (Big, wet, sloppy kisses go to the long-time Dog-a-Day readers who shared Tater, Desmo and Ripley with us.)   Thank you to my new collectors who purchased yesterday's "Bobblehead." Want to add to your own Dog-a-Day collection? visit my Etsy store - with over 80 original paintings available, there's bound to be at least one you can...

"Bobblehead (Sam)," 6" square, Basset Hound Labrador Retriever mixed breed pet portrait, acrylic on canvasboard, $249. Proceeds from the sale of "Bobblehead" will go to my shelter, the Oakland Pet Adoption Center. Inquiries may always come to me .   I asked for your rescue stories, and they are pouring in. Thank you! You may continue to send them, and I'll work the stories and faces into the daily paintings as I can. Submissions may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  or get keyed as comments right here.   Sam was the featured "Shelter Pet of the Week" in his community's newspaper. His family saw that face and couldn't resist - Dad was immediately dispatched with specific directions to bring home Sam. And bring him home he did!! All 55 lbs of clowning, loveable "Bass-ador."   Thanks, as always, for sharing my paintings. See you tomorrow, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

"Angie," 8" x 10", commissioned mixed breed dog portrait, acrylic on canvasboard, private collection (THANK YOU!).   I love stories like this:  after adopting Angie from a local rescue, her owner got involved in rescue himself. Another friend with a rescued teddybear of a mastiff told me something to the effect that we don't rescue them, they rescue us. I liked her analogy.   I would really like to hear your rescue stories. You can commission a portrait (and I'll pledge a donation to my local shelter in your name), or just share your tale and some photos (and I will choose a couple to profile in the coming weeks, again with donations going to my local shelter when the pieces sell). Send me an email!!   Or even just share your rescue story in the blog's comments area. All it takes is one reader to be inspired to visit their local shelter or log in to Petfinder  and help a homeless animal - who wants to make that happen?   Enjoy your week...

"Mastiff Profile," 8" x 16", acrylic mastiff portrait on canvasboard, available for purchase with proceeds benefitting animal welfare. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . A portion of the sale of this painting will go to One Tail at a Time in Ohio. Within the last month, a friend had a very positive experience adopting a dear mastiff from their rescue. I had an opportunity to talk to the director of One Tail at a Time, and her energy and dedication was inspiring. I wanted to help support them and other dogs like Henry (aka Memphis) with a painting. Right now, One Tail at a Time has a litter of special needs puppies, and funds from the sale of this painting will be earmarked for their vet bills. You can read more about the rescue and pups at http://t.ymlp67.com/wjaiaujyafaujwhavausmm/click.php . If the above painting doesn't appeal to you, consider making a donation to One Tail at a Time and helping these pups (and the other dogs in their car...

"Bubbles the Pug," 4" x 5", pug portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, $184. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. A few weeks back I had two portraits cancel with short notice. I asked Dog-a-Day readers to submit their stories, and from the group I chose a couple faces to paint. It was a tough choice, but Little Miss Bubbles was one of them. Can you see why? That face!! I just love it. And her story, too, of course. When she came into the rescue group, young Bubbles had a mysteriously broken hip. She had it corrected surgically, worked her little curly tail off in rehab, and was fostered for a year until she found her now forever home. Happy endings. That's what I love. Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with your friends and family, Kim

"Blue Mandalyn", 6" x 12", tuxedo kitten portrait, acrylic on board, $359. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . This is Mandalyn, a kitten I will be painting and blogging about regularly over the next few months. Mandalyn is under verterinarian care at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (Kenab, Utah) for a variety of serious injuries. Her little body may be encased in plaster, but that hasn't dampened her spirit. You can read more about Mandalyn on the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary website - http://www.bestfriends.org/ - under the Guardian Angels section. I don't know what it was about this kitten that spoke to me, but she spoke up loudly and clearly across the miles. And within a very short period of time, I was able to iron out a partnership with the staff at Best Friends, who welcomed my idea of painting Mandalyn regularly through her recovery. Every couple of weeks I'll share a new painting with you, and provide a little update on her progress ...