Paintings With Soul

  "Full Moon (a portrait of Blue)," 14"x18", acrylics on panel, Not currently for sale (I intend to enter this piece in a juried exhibition where it must be for sale), but if you are interested in acquiring this painting in a couple months, inquiries can always come  to me . I love my Blue. As they say with rescue animals, who rescued who? and that's certainly the case with this little guy, who is teaching me to slow down and be clearer and deliberate with my actions. He's also amplified the joy present in my life a thousand fold. Spiritual wisdom tells us that a full moon is a symbol of a heart-centric, new beginning. I believe that our world is readying itself for just that, as vaccines are disbursed and we begin our post-pandemic lives. And who better to amplify that beginning than a little rescue dog, who came to us after 4 other households decided he wasn't the right fit for them. ALSO (a little reward for those of you who are still reading!) I will...

"Blue," an 8x10 acrylic painting done on museum quality cradeled birch. Blue is going directly into my own collection, but I can create something similar starring your own pet. Inquiries may come   to me   - thank you! Continuing to think about how gesture impacts brushwork, and how brushwork can both carve and interrupt form. Learning that the essence of an object exists in energy that is not contained by neat and clean edges. Going to tackle a new piece today and see how far I can push these ideas. Thanks, as always, for following along with my art journey, Warmly, Kim

This is Blue, and he joined our family last last summer. This little guy owns me completely. We're not entirely certain of Blue's story, since he's a rescue, but he's found his forever home with us. It didn't take long after Blue moved into our home for him to make himself home on my easel, too. He's been painted numerous times, and will be painted numerous more, I dare say. Over the years I've discovered that there's so much more to painting a portrait than capturing a likeness. Truly wonderful portraits don't just fill a spot on the wall - they step into our hearts. When I add elements of emotion to a portrait, the piece elevates into a conversation between the subject and the viewer. It's as if the painting is alive, even if it's not painted photo representationally. Particularly if it's not, perhaps. Blue's portrait above is an example of the marriage of likeness and emotive content - it transcends either to be...

"Blue," 16" x 20", acrylics on panel, not for sale. Not even if you ask nicely. My family will burn me at the stake if I let this one go. When My Better Half works nights (like he is tonite), I play while the sun's up and work at the end of the day. It's a fun change to my normal routine. Today included a little day trip with one of my favorite peeps in one of our favorite places. It was a delight to enjoy each other's company while the rest of the world was at work. And tonight I had blocked time out to paint for a juried exhibit. My entry is due next week, and, true to form I waited until the nth hour. Because the next painting is always going to be the better one. Well, not always, but I do like to pretend. And I think tonite I might have played my cards well. Well, mostly I played my cards well. You see, I turned my back, and Blue - yes, sweet little adorable - ate half my pizza** while I was feeding Gertrude Stein. Gertie ...

ABOVE ON TOP, Two (green yellow), BELOW, Two Budgies (turquoise blue). Each original is 8" x 8" x 1/2", acrylics on panel with the image painted around the sides, $159 each plus s&h. Inquiries may come  to me . I am thinking about lines, and how they are far more than just edges. Trying to make each of my brushstrokes line-like. It's turning my brain inside out a bit, although I expect my brain already was a bit inside out to begin with. Anyways, these would make glorious Mother's Day gifts. With a paypal payment, I can get them to you in time for gifting that first Sunday in May. Share Tweet Forward

"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   

"Cookie Monster (Toy #6)," 6" x 6," acrylics on masonite, a portrait/still life depicting another refugee from the stuffed animal bin at the Salvation Army, a little bean bag Cookie Monster. Your favorite cookie fiend (and, supposedly, veggie lover too!) is $75 and includes s&h inside the US. Purchasing is as simple as  asking . SOLD (TY!) Blue Times...... I had a mess of Eeyore blues on my palette still, so it seemed like Cookie Monster should be next in line.  Can't tell you how much fun it is, digging through my toy bin and pulling out candidates!! And I've painted myself a little ahead (Cookie Monster got painted on Wednesday) because of some other commitments and field trips that will take me out of the studio for a couple days. If you are considering pre-purchasing a toy painting,  send me an email , indicating in the body of your message which toy # you would like, choosing from #6 to #100. I'll confirm that painting...

IN PROCESS: "Besties," 18" x 24", acrylics on museum quality cradeled panel (with image wrapped around the sides), commissioned portrait depicting a black labe and her new best friend, a chocolate lab pup. In process photos are here .  So despite the best intentions, this piece will not get finished until after I return from my Florida workshop next week. But that's ok - it'll allow me to linger over these two. They deserve some good lingering, I know. Thanks for following along with my artwork,  Kim 

The cover of "A Dog Named Blue," now available from Blurb publishers. When I first painted Amelia I never imagined that she would be re-christened "Blue" and inspire a book. In her defense, Amelia had a number of other partners in crime - animals who's portraits seemed to fall into a specific color category and prompt color-centric names. In typical ADD fashion, my brain started spinning 100mph. What if I turned those muses' paintings into a picture book for animal loving kids? I shared my idea with three friends in the industry, and they eagerly offered their expertise. I am truly indebted to them. Illustrator and author Matt Faulkner and children's book author and literacy expert Kristen Remenar edited an early version of the draft. They suggested key plot/conceptual changes that made it oodles better. Designer Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson worked her magic, pairing the images with perfectly color...

    IN PROCESS, Triple Threat, 12" x 22", commissioned portrait depicting a family of little troublemakers (Yorkshire Terrier and Yorkie mixes), done in acrylics on a museum quality panel. This one is heading to it's new home as soon as it dries, but  ask  about having your own pets memorialized in an original painting!     I was angered yesterday to learn of yet another "artist" who copies others' artwork and presents it as their own. And a so-called "artist" selling original oil painting portraits that are really photos run through a computerized filter printed on canvas and coated with varnish. And a company that's made a habit for years of stealing artists' designs and selling them as their own.   It seems like there's no shortage of people trying to make a buck off another's hard work.   I'm sending warm thoughts to my friends and colleagues who are preparing for copyright battles - and thinkin...

    From left to right: Koi I, II, III, IV, each 6" square, together measuring 6" x 24", acrylic on museum quality panel, depicting koi fish in a natural pond setting, all four panels together available for $699. Inquiries may come  to me .     I came home from last night's art guild meeting inspired and wanting to paint. Since I had to stay up and wait for a kid to return home, I poured a glass of wine and reached for my brushes. You can see what I worked on long past said kid's return  here  - including the work today.   Around lunch I got to a clear stopping point and decided to work on something entirely different - an idea I have had for quite some time.   So this afternoon was spent fishing.   The four panels are meant to stay together - and yet each of them also works well alone, as you can see in the individual photos below.   Once the originals sell, I'll offer reproductions on these fo...

"Pinky" and "Blu", bunnies done in acrylic on bristol board, each original painting measuring 9" x 12". I'm going to tweak these two a bit more and then offer reproductions (notecards and/or prints on canvas/paper/acrylic/metal) starting at $50. There will also be smartphone cases - I promise to share order details tomorrow after I take care of one more tweak...... Meanwhile, inquiries/special requests may always come  to me .   Wouldn't these be fabulous in a nursery or playroom?     I was driving and otherwise distracted by some yechy looking weather blowing in, when the most wonderful idea smacked me upside the head.   Why not sketch animals overtop patterns, like what I did with  the dolls last week ? But take it a step further and paint my own patterns?   That idea sure got me through errands lickety spilt!   When do you get your best ideas? Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

    "Billmurray," 4" square, a commissioned dog tag painting, acrylic on museum quality panel, private collection (THANK YOU!).  Let me know  if you want one of these done up custom with your dog's name.     And yes, I will be doing a mess of green tags for St Patty's Day, so stay tuned! It'll probably be the tail end of next week or early the following.   Don't forget the current auction going on over on  Facebook  - eight older paintings are looking for new homes. Bidding ends at 9pm EST.    Hope everyone in the Midwest is holed up and safe as this newest storm moves through - grab a book and settle in if you can! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com     Elizabeth (on right) and I at The Heidelberg Project last  summer, doing our best Charlie's Angels imitation     Up & Coming Tonite, 6-8pm, grownUPs Journaling class at th...

    "Greta II," 8" square, companion piece to  Greta I  (painted yesterday), commissioned portrait of a mixed breed dog, acrylics on a museum quality panel, private collection (THANK YOU!). In-process photos of both Gretas are available on  the studio Facebook page .   Fondly, Kim, who loves to work in series' like the Greta's, and is looking formore water dog muses - feel free to email me your pics ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    

  "Toby," sketch done in acrylic on bristol board, approximately 4" x 6" roughly centered on a 9" x 12" page, depiciting a Sheltie, commissioned and in a private collection (THANK YOU!).     I came into the studio in my jammies this morning and started sketching. It's been productive, going directly to the easel instead of the computer. My brain wasn't yet weighed down with a to do list - maybe this is the new routine I'm searching for.   If you want a commissioned sketch like Toby's, they are only available until the end of this year.   Don't know what the difference is between a sketch and a portrait?   A sketch is a small study, done with very loose brushwork, often enclosed in a rectangular form like the above piece. It is done on paper, and carries a generous margin on all sides.   A portrait comes in a variety of sizes and are done on museum quality panels. Portraits carry far m...

"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...

    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,...