Paintings With Soul

  "Promise," 18"x24"x1", acrylic on cradled birch. This painting may be offered at a future date with a small collection of similar pieces.  Reach out   with any questions and thanks so much for your interest in my artwork. I've worked on 5 different paintings today, all in various states, but I do believe this one is finished. However, I cannot decide on her orientation, although I am leaning towards this onw. Once I figure that out, I'll sign her. Meanwhile, I will take her to my Thursday critique group tomorrow for deeper discussion. She already was helped along by my quarterly group which met on Tuesday.  Do you ever lean on others for discussion and decision making in your work? It truly is invaluable. There's nothing more informative than hearing how others read the art you make - it's like getting a peek at what a gallery viewer, juror or internet viewer may see. And knowing this helps you to tweak/improve your imagery so that it more cle...

  "Coco," 6" x 8" x 1", acrylics in cradled panel, image wrapped around the side for a clean and contemporary look, $269 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. Please note that the watermark is not on the original painting. Returning collectors always receive 10% off. I accept Paypal, personal checks and payment plans.   Please message me.   It's baby chick season! Over the weekend, I visited a mess of little peepers and floofers, which of course meant that I had to paint them, right?! It's hard to make these any cuter - but I think the addition of a crown levels things up just a smidge. I intentionally kept this one small, so she could be easily tucked somewhere. However, if you are looking for more of a statement painting,   Derby Chicks   is available. I can also paint something to your specifications, whether that be size or colors. Thanks for following along on my painting journey. Be well, Fondly, Kim

  "Tender," 12" x 16", acrylics and graphite on museum quality panel, $499 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. Returning collectors always receive 10% off. I accept Paypal, personal checks and payment plans.   Please message me.   We have a small herd of deer that hang out with us, which is unusual for a neighborhood setting. I think the prior home owners must have fed them (it's not a stretch by any means, given that we have a squirrel who comes to the kitchen window and begs for apple slices and a chipmunk family that are not shy in the least. We have yet to meet James the groundhog and Lucy the possum.). But anyways, when I was out walking this morning, I got to wondering if I might have the honor of actually seeing a fresh baby deer in my own yard this year, and how much fun it would be to sit (at a distance, mind you) and sketch from life. And so this painting is me trying to manifest that idea. You might also recognize the oak leaves - they carried ov...

"Eddy," 11"x14", acrylics and graphite on stonehenge paper, $399 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. 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 . More art therapy. It's cold and damp in Michigan today and the world seems caught up in an odd vortex of insanity. So what do I do? I work at the easel while wearing my woolen winter hat, and think of baby swans in icy, swirling waters. Now I'm off for some hot tea. Thanks for following along with my painting journey, Kim

IN PROCESS, WORKING TITLE "Cygnets," 11"x14", acrylics and graphite on stonehenge paper, $399 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. This piece will 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 . Every day I get at least one email or message, asking about my process. Which means I must not be doing a good enough job talking about   my online classroom,   where I share all the magic and more. This painting is being filmed as it progresses, and my students will get all the deets about my concept, and see the process from the underpainting to the finishing touches. Plus they get the added benefit of discussion, links to my sources of inspiration, learn what I'm reading and thinking about as I create. If this sounds interesting,   come on over   and join us! Meanwhile, Cygnets should be finished later this week, and ...

"Fragile," 11x14, acrylics and graphite on stonehenge paper, $399 plus s&h. I accept Paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Purchase inquiries can always come   to me . My strongest painting always connect deeply with what I'm feeling. Not sure why today in particular I was fraught with worry for the vulnerable citizens, but it was here in the studio alongside me, so it got painted into the piece. There's no such thing as an expendable life. And please don't turn this into a political debate. It is an artists job is to create work about their experiences/feels and make pieces that reflects their perspective of world events. I am merely doing my job. Thanks for following along with my painting journey, Kim

Detail from a special in process painting that's currently on my easel. Working title "Maelstrom," the entire painting is 18x24, of which this is about a 9" square. Purchase inquiries, including reserving this work in process, can always come   to me . I just wanted to share something sweet and tender with you today. Seems like we need more of that sort of thing lately. Enjoy! Thanks for following along with my painting journey, Kim

"Baby Boy (Parker)," 9" x 12", loose study done in acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas, featuring a baby Thoroughbred, reference photo credit to   Linda Shantz , $199 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. I accept Paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Please   reach out to me   with inquiries or questions. Please also note the special pricing - I consider this piece a sketch, or at least sketchier (meaning looser, not of questionable actions) than my more finished paintings, so am passing that onto you in the form of an affordable price. This is my entry in the recent   Virtual pARTy hosted by Linda Shantz . Long time readers of this blog may recall that about 10 years ago, she and I would host monthly pARTys, where we would share a reference photo and invite anyone to work from it. We had a lot of fun back then, choosing the subject for the pARTy and getting to know so many new artists. Linda decided to resurrect the idea, which I though...

Above, full painting, below a detail. "The Daylight Waits for Her Command (Medicine Hat #11)," 16" x 20", acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas with image painted around the side, so no need to frame unliess one wishes to do so. This original painting is $649 plus s&h to the first one asking nicely. Inquire directly   to me   - I take personal checks, paypal, venmo and will arrange payment plans. SOLD (TY) I didn't realize my own identity until well into my adulthood. I was acutely aware of being a square peg in a round world. It was a well kept secret - at least from my it was - that the square pegs are the ones with all the magic. And I'm very glad that Past Kim didn't try to sand her corners off. It can be lonely, holding onto one's corners. Reach out to the square pegs you know and tell them how amazing they are. And how perfect they are in their own unique qualities. And that one day they will find a community of quadrilaterals ...

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!!

Kimberly Kelly Santini   paintings with soul because our world needs more beauty   "Oval Chick," 9" x 12", acrylics on gallery stretched canvas, oval, with painted sdes (so no need to frame). Because I am SO HAPPY we have sunshine today and the snow is melted (I might have just cursed us, so sorry Michigan) I'm going to let her go for $150 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may come   to me . Share Tweet Forward

They got their hats! These chicks are ready for the Kentucky Derby. 18" x 24", acrylics on panel, starring two heirloom Derby Chicks. These chicks are fairly common in the south, but up here in Michigan, it's rare to sight them. I've included a detail below so that you will recognize one more easily in the future. This Derby Chicks painting is $865 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may come  to me . Please and thank you. Two years ago I was feted all week in Louisville as the official Kentucky Derby artist. The final honor was sitting in our box at Churchill Downs' finish line and watching American Pharoah win the first leg of his Triple Crown. History unfolded for me personally and for the sport I passionately grew up with. Wishing all involved a safe trip tomorrow.

"Priscilla," a  Bauble painting, 9" x 12" x 1/2", acrylics on gallery stretched canvas (painted around the sides, so she can hang directly without framing if you choose). Available to the  first asking nicely , $289 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much. Last Saturday I purchased (7) of these panels. I have one left -- my muse has been keeping me busy! Guess it's time to purchase a few more..... I am currently accepting a couple of pet portrait commissions. Snag one now for Mother's or Father's days, or even a graduation gift. Email me for details - and thanks! 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.

"Princess Crabby Pants," another  Bauble painting, 9" x 12" x 1/2", acrylics on gallery stretched canvas (painted around the sides, so she can hang directly without framing if you choose). Available to the  first asking nicely , $289 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much. She was grouchy from the get go . But absolutely darling, too. Also, wanted to mention I have time to accept a couple of pet portrait commissions. Now is the perfect time to snag one for Mother's or Father's days, or even a graduation gift. Email me for details - and thanks! 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.

"Princess Aurora," another Bauble painting, 9" x 12" x 1/2", acrylics on gallery stretched linen (painted around the sides, so she can hang directly without framing if you choose). Available to the  first asking nicely , $289 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much. SOLD (TY) Make way for ducklings..... 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.

"Pip Squeak," from The Bauble paintings, 9" x 12" x 1/2", acrylics on gallery stretched linen (painted around the sides, so she can hang directly without framing if you choose). Available to the  first asking nicely , $289 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much. Seriously, peeps, how can you NOT fall in love with this one?!  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.

  "Peep," 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. Can you see Peep and Chickie hanging together (pictured below)? Like in a toddler's room, a nursery, a powder room, a bright hallway...... the possibilities are endless. I would love to see them go together, which means special pricing for one lucky collector - $999. We can put a payment plan together, too (that applies to any purchases of original art) - message me if you are interested. 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   

"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   

"Rhin-unculus," 48" x 48", from the Florus Animalum series of paintings, acrylics on panel, depicting a rhino momma and her baby saurus. And a mass of ranunculus. This happy family is $4599 plus s&h. Payment plans available. Inquiries may come to me . Thinking about the circle of life, endangered species, and nurturing today. Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    Shop Reproductions Here