Paintings With Soul

"Roxy)," 18" x 24" x 1", acrylic on museum quality panel. This is a commissioned portrait done posthumously and is in a private collection (thank you CW!), however I can work similar magic with your pet and your photos. Interested parties may   reach out to me ; commissioned portraiture starts at $499 Thank you so very much for your interest in my work. I worked on Roxy for about a month before delivering her top secret style, for a fabulous reveal. I am particularly grateful, because in this instance, Roxy's portrait is the second piece of mine this family owns. While the circumstances of their return weren't the happiest, they were utterly delighted in the end to have a wonderful touchpoint for their girl. And I was honored to be the artist entrusted to do so. I have a track record of delivering well over 1000 portraits to satisfied customers since 2001. And lucky you - I can squeeze one more project into July if you reach out now; otherwise...

"Andy," image approximately 5" x 6-1/2" roughly centered on a 9" x 12" bristol board, acrylics, commissioned portrait of a border collie-lab mix. This is one of the last painted sketches I have left to complete. I also managed to get some work done on a couple larger floral pieces. I am preparing a project and samples to submit to this year's ArtPrize. Send me good vibes (or a straight jacket - am I crazy to be painting a 5 foot square canvas?!) Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

From last December, this was a Christmas gift I couldn't share for fear of ruining the surprise. "Buster," 6" x 8", acrylics on museum quality panel, commissioned portrait depicting a family member who is dearly missed.  If you are interested in commissioning a portrait, let me know .  Rough day at the easel. I tried a particular composition at least 5 times, but I might as well just been sleeping at my desk. Still not clear why it wasn't working, but I did fine tune my sanding and wiping skills. Then I went and ate a lot of cheese. I've been on a cheese kick lately. And worked on my new website. Now I'm off to teach art journaling class. The day hasn't been a total waste. Thanks for your interest in my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

From day one of our workshop, detail of my demo painting, roughly blocked in, with the focal point quadrant fairly well along. This painting stars/was inspired by Rush, a sweet and silly guy owned by my friend and fellow painter Marilyn Sadler (her website is www.MarilynSadler.com,  but as of this posting it appears to be down). Marilyn was kind enough to host us for a brief visit to Lexington (KY) this spring, and together with Yvonne Todd , also took us on a grand tour of all things equine and artsy. This piece is 10" square, done in acrylics on a museum quality panel. I plan on finishing it once I return to the studio. All inquiries may  come to me . I Have 17 Victims!! More commonly known as students.  They are brave souls, and so far survived day one of my talking nonstop. Lots of drivel about color and harmony and the sorts of painting details that make my heart sing. This was my demo piece, an exercise in breaking a few rules, d...

"Zen Dog," 36" x 14", acrylics on panel, depicting Zevon, a friend's newly rescued family member. This is Golden acrylics on a Raymar panel and can be yours for $2999, including s&h within the contiguous US. In process photos are on the Studio FB page . pARTy details are here . Inquires may come directly to me .  It's Long Past Time for a pARTy Have you ever attended a pARTy before? The idea is simple - someone shares the rights to one of their photographs, and challenges creatives to make artwork inspired by the photo. All of the work is then displayed collectively, for the whole world to see the variety of interpretations and possibilities resulting from the one image. Now here's the good part - Photographer  Juliet Harrison granted us permission to throw a pARTy in Zevon's honor! So here's the details: The reference photograph is here . Please respect that this photo is being shared purely for the creation of ...

In process image of "Zen Dog," 36" x 14", acrylics on panel, depicting Zevon, a friend's newly rescued family member. This is Golden acrylics on a Raymar panel and will be available when finished for $2999, including s&h within the contiguous US (and yes, I apologize, but there is glare on this image, which is what happens when one photographs at 10pm). In process photos are on the Studio FB page . Inquires may come directly to me .  Before I committed to daily painting (in October 2006), I specialized in larger than life pet portraits and animal paintings. How I loved to work on a piece where I could use the gesture of my entire body to make a mark - it was a dance, just me and my painting and the brush/ The commitment of daily painting limited my ability to continue to work at this scale, but I also thoroughly enjoyed immersing in a new composition each day, and thusly kept myself busy for years without missing things too much. ...

"Elvis," 8"x10", acrylics on museum quality panel, a commissioned memorial painting for one heck of an awesome dog, which means this one has a home (thank you!).  Inquiries may come here  . My heart breaks with these sorts of projects. I remind myself that we say goodbye way too soon to each of our pets, and that I am giving collectors something extraordinary that they didn't have before, a wonderful touchpoint for sharing memories and commemorating their family member. But it's still hard. My heart is just a wee bit too big, I suppose. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim PS In process photos are here .

"Boutros," 8" x 10", acrylics on museum quality panel, commissioned portrait of a much loved and deerly missed lab mix, private collection (THANK YOU!). In process pics of his painting can be viewed on Facebook . And just because I anticipate that he will quickly become a favorite of everyone, I've set him up for reproductions/notecards/smartphone cases as well. Inquiries may come to me - gift certificates can be delivered via email throughout the weekend.  I'm officially done with commissions for the holiday!! It's always a great feeling, to think of all the treasures awaiting gift giving (and those who've already been shared). It expands my Christmas exponentially. Thank YOU for making my holidays warmer, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

"Rory," 12" x 16," commissioned portrait of a Black Labradoodle with The Best Eyebrows Ever, acrylics on a museum quality panel. Plenty of in process photos are here, including closeups of his eye and nose along with a shot of my palette. Rory has a home, but there's plenty of other paintings in my head (and studio) that do not - inquiries may come to me . Although this photo is a little flat and gray because I had to shoot it under artificial lighting, my boss is somewhat happier about my productivity today. Let's see what my client has to say, though - I'm awaiting final approval. And permission to punch out and head home.  Thanks for following along, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

      "Chloe," a painted sketch, commissioned dog portrait, roughly 5" x 6" on a 9" x 12" paper, acrylics, private collection (THANK YOU!!).   The sun is shining, yet there is a fresh dusting of snow. Isn't this supposed to be spring break?   Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

    Another cozy image for a winter month - guess I have napping on my mind!   Sorry for the delay in sharing the March calendar - I jetted off to Florida and neglected to add the file to my website, something I can only do from home.   I had sunshine on the brain!!!   To implement this month's desktop calendar, simply 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 by no means an expert on the variety of operating systems, so I highly recommend that if you don't know how to change your desktop wallpaper, don't email me for advice. Instead consult your computer's help files - they 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 im...

    "Barry," 8" square, commissioned portrait of a beloved Chihuahua, done in acrylics on a museum quailty panel. This painting is sold (THANK YOU!), but  email me  and we can talk about creating one for you.   Additional views are posted inside the  Mobile Uploads  folder on  the studio Facebook page .     Due to popular demand I created a yearly planner peppered with Painting a Dog a Day images, some of my favorites from the last 18 months. It's available  here , along with a complete preview (in case you are wondering if your favorite painting is included).   Thanks for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com      

    "Mazey," 12" x 16", a commissioned portrait, depicting a cherished family member. In process pics of Mazey's portrait are on  the studio Facebook page .   I am devastated by the news coming from Connecticut today. My heart goes out to all those touched by this senseless tragedy.   Doing my best to hold onto a holiday frame-of-mind, Kim, who's hugging her kids when they come in the door ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"The Circle," 15" x 18," a commissioned portrait of four family members, done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, headed to a private collection (THANK YOU!). Inquiries may come  to me.   In process photos, many of them, are on  the studio's Facebook page  - be sure to scroll back, because I've been working on this one since last week.     This weekend I wrapped myself in family and gave thanks for my Grandparents. The perfect prescription for healing.   This morning all three kids got off to school - although The Caped Crusader slept in and joined his classmates a little later in the day. Which means I got in a couple of uninterrupted hours at the easel and started a ginormous pot of ham soup simmering, and that was an excellent prescription as well.   Fondly, Kim, who's looking at her calendar and realizing there's not much more room for holiday commissions - you'de better  speak up now  or...

This is a larger painting, 15" x 18," titled "The Circle" and very much in process, pieced together from numerous photos and depicting a family of four canines. This is a commissioned painting, and as such, it already has a home - but I'm happy to create something similar for you. Inquiries may come  to me.   In process photos, many of them, are on  the studio's Facebook page .     I could talk about the circle of life and creativity and inspiration, but honestly, I am exhausted.   This weekend we lay my grandparents to rest alongside each other in the family plot. And celebrate a mass in the church they were married in 72 years ago.   And I'm holding firm to the idea that Rome wasn't built in a day.   Nor were bones magically reknit together. Or houses cleaned stem to stern in the blink of an eye. Or all sorts of other hurts mended instantly.   Fondly, Kim, who really should stop worryin...

    Every month, I travel back in time one year, choose a fav painting, and make a calendar page. Just like last month, October's choice was more difficult than usual, as I had several favorites (you can peek at all of October 2011 - and each of the over 1400 Painting a Dog a Day faces - here ).   So I chose this glamor girl because she represented my newfound confidence with mixing blues. Plus I love the composition and complimentary color palette. And her glorious profile, too.   Anyway, to implement this month's desktop calendar, simply 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 by no means an expert on the variety of operating systems, so I highly recommend that if you don't know how to change your desktop wallpaper, don't email me for advice. Instead consult your computer's help files - they will be more concise,...

  "Splash," 9" x 12", acrylic on museum quality panel, depicting a certain Princess and her rather neurotic Cattle Dog partner in crime, playing together in Paint Creek. This painting was done in acrylics on museum quality panel, and is the latest acquisition by the artist. Yes, me. I'm allowed to claim one every so often, no?   This is one of my favorite memories of this summer - taking Finnigan down to the creek, and watching him play water frisbee with his girl.   What's your favorite summer memory?   Kim, who is fearing the day when The Princess will be too cool to need me for anything other than a clothes allowance, but savoring and loving every single moment between now and then, including today's emergency trip to the library for "brain food" ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    

    "Jell-O," 5" x 7", commissioned portrait of a wonderful black lab mix, done in Golden Open Acrylics on ampersand gessobord.   I'm always saying black dogs aren't really black - and here's an example of that. Jell-Os coat is sleek and healthy and reflects color from his surroundings.   I could have painted him with just tubes of black and white paint, but that would have been a little boring in comparison, no?   Here's a secret to painting luminous shadows - don't ever use black paint.   Here's another tip - the lightest light in your painting is never pure white, either.   In Process pics (of both Jell-O and his brother Bacchus) are on  the studio Facebook page  inside the  Mobile Uploads folder .   Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my paintings with your friends and family.   HAPPY WEEKEND!! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   PAINTING WORKSHOP , October 8th, Lake Orion Michigan, 10am-4pm....

      "Callie," image approximately 6" x 5", roughly centered on an 8" x 10" artists' multimedia board. This one already has a fabulous home, just like it's cute namesake.   It's been a busy week here - higher than normal email volumes have kept me busy fielding inquiries (is it possible the holiday rush has already started?). The dog's needed a little extra TLC (see below), there's been football camp and back-to-school shopping, and an oddly elevated amount of laundry, too.   One more week of summer vacation before the school year routine commences. While I am sad to see my time with the kids end, I am also looking forward to holing up in the studio with my paints, and digging in to some fabulous new concepts I have brewing.   And it's football season!! The (Lake Orion) Dragons have their opening game tonite, a perfect way to usher in our Dragon on the Lake festival this weekend.   Hope you have a glorious time doi...

ORDER NOTECARDS/REPRODUCTIONS "The Morning News," 6" x 8", commissioned portrait of a black lab mix, done in Golden Open Acrylics on a Raymar panel. Nascar's parents have earned the distinction of travelling the furthest to collect their two paintings. They came to Michigan all the way from Sonoma, California for a personal hand-off. (I should probably also disclose that perhaps the promise of an Easter dinner with Michigan family factored into their decision as well.) Nevertheless, it was heartwarming to meet - and thank - them for supporting my artwork. The vast majority of my business is done via the internet, so it's always a treat to match faces to voices to emails. Thanks in advance for sharing my artwork with your friends and family. Wishing you a blessed weekend, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Continuing Education My kids are still pretty young and therefore I don't get the luxury of attending too many workshops for myself. So ...