Paintings With Soul

DETAIL "Cygnets," 11"x14", acrylics and graphite on stonehenge paper, $399 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. Full image is below. This piece will be shipped flat and need to be framed and set behind glass by the buyer. I accept Paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Purchase inquiries can always come   to me . I am thinking about metamorphosis and animals that represent change. Also tenderness and vulnerability, which is always summed up neatly in a baby anything (except for maybe a honey badger - I bet those things are fierce as heck from the first breath!) Our lives, our world, is in flux, and painting hopeful images of creatures that embrace that is peaceful to me. Sort of my way of putting my head in the sand. So here is your art therapy for today. Thanks for following along with my painting journey, Kim

IN PROCESS Resilience (working title), 18" x 24", acrylics and graphite on stonehenge paper (will need to be framed and set behind glass), $599 plus s&h when completed. There is a little bit of paper buckling and glare from the studio lights in the upper left - the paper is pretty wet, but ultimately this piece will dry completely flat. I accept paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans - inquiries may always come   to me , and thank you so very much. I finally made it to the easel today, and painted something (that wasn't a journal page) that I feel pretty excited to share. The past couple weeks have rocked me to my very core, which I'm sure is a feeling many of you can relate to. Here in Michigan we are on our first full day house arrest, and today I seriously limited my exposure to the media/newsfeeds and focused instead on the things that make me happy. Rabbits, line, flowers, color, pop tarts. I taught   a #journalthroughit session   this morning ...

Protect, 15" x 30", acrylics on gallery stretched canvas, $799 plus s&h. Inquiries may come  to me . I've been playing with an acrylic based encaustic-like process - basically suspending my pigments in a translucent, pourable medium sharing many of the same properties as melted wax. This allows me to blend, scratch into, layer, suspend, dribble and do all sorts of delightful things with the paint. So much to learn!!

Tiny Dancer I, 24" x 48", acrylics on panel, $1499 plus s&h. Inquiries may come   to me . I have no idea what I'm doing in the studio anymore. I mean, I know I am painting, and obviously I'm painting figures, but other than that, it's a crap shot. I start with a certain idea in my head, like a little girl in a white tutu, and the rest of the composition reveals itself as I go along. This is entirely different than painting portraits and working directly with clients who expect a certain thing. When I'm painting a commission, the end result is predetermined and my progress (including knowing when the piece is done) is measurable. With my girls, it's not so obvious. I take them so far, and then wait to see what they have to say about it. Often it takes weeks before I realize, aha!, there isn't enough contrast/my color is too saturated/the ground and figure need to be more fully integrated/something else altogether. I'm learning to be ok ...

36" x 48", acrylics on panel, featuring a unicorn hidden inside a rose bush. Don't despair if you can see her right away - just breathe slowly and look closely. This piece is $3599. Inquiries may come  to me . Please and thank you. I usually buy my flowers from the week-old bucket. But not today. This painting was totally worth splurging on the most insanely gorgeous blush roses. Added bonus - they will last a bit longer than I am accustomed to.

Pink P(e)ony, a  Florus Animalum painting 24" x 48", acrylics on panel featuring a white pony crowned with a luscious bouquet of blooms. She is $1499 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may come  to me . Please and thank you. I started this one last August, and forget why she got set aside. Today I practiced all the things I've learned in the past 8 months. Lots of drips, bursts of color, delightful drawn edges. Happy Sigh.

Nobody Ever Accused Gertrude of Eating Like a Bird A Bauble Painting , 12" x 12" x 1/2", acrylics on gallery stretched canvas, featuring a rather curvacious finch. This painting is $309 (includes s&h inside the US) to the first asking nicely .   This week it's been all about drips and stripes and sparkles and modeled vs flat space while trying not to think of current world events. Wishing I could wrap every child in an iridescent magical hug and make them safe and loved and valued.

Goldie, a Lesser Goldfinch, Bolsters Her Inferiority Complex with a Jeweled Tiara A Bauble Painting , 9" x 12" x 1/2", acrylics on gallery stretched canvas, featuring a goldfinch with a teeny tiny tiara matching her self esteem. This painting is $289 (includes s&h inside the US) to the first asking nicely .   Work in an obvious series, my friend Robert coached. It'll help you figure things out clearly and in an organized fashion. Little did he know he was unleashing a painting monster......

"Cameo," 12" x 16", acrylics on panel. Available to the  first asking nicely , $579 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much. Thanks for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   WORKSHOPS:  May 17-20th, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Please contact Betty Klenke for more information.  June 21-23rd, Montague, Michigan. Please contact Korrine Rogers for more information.

"Maybelline Occasionally Over-Accessorizes," 20" x 20" x 2, acrylics on cradeled panel, painted around the edges, so there is no need to frame. Available to the  first asking nicely , $799 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much. We all have friends like Maybelline, don't we? they just don't know when to stop...... Thanks for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

FINISHED: "Pinkie," from The Beribboned Series , 12" x 16", acrylics on panel. Available (when finished) to the  first asking nicely , $579 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much. Pinkie got a facelift, literally. I put all my references away, including the ribbon setup. I redrew her features from memory, then decided that she needed to be a lighter value than the ribbon. Then I adjusted the bow a bit, too, and tucked her ear behind, so it all perched perfectly on her head. Because I was able to listen to the painting (instead of being married to my references and original concept), Pinkie's portrait turned out far nicer. Thanks for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"Minnie Loves Playing Dressup," (yes, that's a bit of glare on this one as it's a gray day and I'm working under studio lights), 16" x 20" x .75", acrylics on cradeled panel (and painted around the sides, so no need to frame!). $699 for this dear little mouse, including s&h inside the US. Inquiries to me , and thank you so much. Minnie made me laugh all day long. She's got a great sense of humor. She is also done overtop another piece that had lots of texture, which is delightfully showing through. Harlequin patterning and various scratched in lines/patterns. Thanks for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"Chickie," from The Beribboned Series , 16" x 20", acrylics on panel. Available to the  first asking nicely , $649 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much. Nobody paints chicks like Alecia Underhill.  They are BIG and soft and full of yummy color. Here's a little print of one of my favs of hers, Grumpy Chick. I gave my chick a good try, nonetheless, with her blessing. And I had a great time! You can bet there will be more of these.... it IS almost spring, after all! Thanks for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"Wilbur Embraces His Feminine Side," from The Beribboned Series , 18" x 24", acrylics on panel. Available to the  first asking nicely , $799 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much. That skinny bow nestled on top? it reminded me of a spider for some reason, hence the pig's name "Wilbur." Charlotte's Web was a favorite read when I was younger. Thanks for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"Violet," 18" x 24", acrylics on panel, from the Beribboned series. Available to the  first asking nicely , $799 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much. The Princess's gentle lionhead bunny modeled for this painting. Everyone in our family, even the four legged members, has to earn their keep! Thanks for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"Eenie, Meenie, Minie, Bow," roughly 18" x 18", acrylics on panel, from the Beribboned series. Available to the  first asking nicely , $799 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much. Special thanks to a super wonderful young lady for sharing pics of her wee one's with me - hope I did them justice Islay!! Thank you also to MR for the best title ever. Also, SUPER excited because The Princess gets to tame and train a mouse in her zoology class this term. Which means OKeefe (the studio hamster) will have a friend!! So happy!! (it doesn't take much to make me happy these days!) Thanks for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"Leggy," 24" x 36" x 1", acrylics on cradeled panel with painted sides (no need to frame). Available to the  first asking nicely , $1699 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much. This particular painting has gone through several incarnations . Each time I tackle her, I bring several months of continued study and learning to the easel. And while I loved the previous versions, I am doing cartwheels over this one. I always say, anything in my home/studio is fair game for a fresh coat of paint! Yes, please share Leggy. Add beauty to the world! Thanks for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"Proud," a Florus Animalum painting , 11" x 14", acrylics on panel. This piece is available for purchase to the  first asking nicely , $599 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much. This mare is strong, unapologetic, a force to be reckoned with. The tangle of roses on her back are thorny, yet bountiful with blooms. Read into it what you will, the overall composition is one of sheer delight and glorious color, and this painting will make an exceptional focal point in your space. Yes, please share this image. Our world needs more beauty! Thanks for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"Petal," a Florus Animalum painting , 12" x 16", acrylics on panel, featuring a tender mouse nestled in an abundance of peonies. This piece is available for purchase to the  first asking nicely , $599 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much. A difference in opinion does not mean one person is better or lesser than another. Nor is one right and the other wrong. Today is a struggle for many Americans who are afraid of the future. Be kind. Be gentle. Listen to hear, really hear their voices. I am seeking understanding of how my country has become so divided. I am scared of what we are doing to each other, not just here in the States, but all over the world.  And in the midst of this turmoil, making art might seem trite. But it is what I do to find my own inner piece. To process events and emotions in a healthy manner. And to give others a small bit of beauty to add to their days. This mouse in this painting is timid. Mice are timid. But,...

"OKeefe," a Florus Animalum painting , 16" x 20", acrylics on panel, featuring a baby hamster crowned with peonies in a nod to her namesake Georgia OKeefe . This piece is available for purchase to the  first asking nicely , $749 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much! OKeefe is my new baby. Well, the inspiration behind the painting is my new baby, not the actual painting. Although artists often do refer to their paintings as babies....   Also, life drawing takes on an entirely new meaning when your model is rolling around the studio inside an exercise ball. OKeefe doesn't understand yet how to hold a pose. Thanks, as always, for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com