Paintings With Soul

"Truffle III" and "Peppermint I" each 6" x 6", acrylics on masonite, $99 each. More calorie-free treats.  Email me if you would like to to own one of these paintings. I am working on smaller paintings, all priced under $100. I am SO sick of hearing about Black Friday for the past month, so I won't be hitting your inbox with multiple updates in these final hours before all the best deals in the universe implode together and create an entirely new planet. But I am preparing a few special things for my collector base. As with all my work, they are originals, so once they are gone, they are gone. I can do something similar, but I take pride in making unique and special paintings for each of my collectors. Also, if you are an artist interested in taking the Nutcracker Challenge, take a peek here . Or, if you are a Nutcracker collector, take a peek here . And keep coming back - bookmark it for repeat visits. The Nutcrackers w...

From left, "Truffle I" and "Truffle II" each 4" x 4", acrylics on museum quality panel, $99 each. The best kind of chocolate is that which doesn't go directly to your thighs.  Email me if you would like to to own one - or both for $180 - of these paintings. We are under a winter weather advisory for 5" of snow tomorrow. Tell me again why I live in Michigan? Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Warmly, Kim   ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

From 2005, a gallery stretched painting titled "Pleased to Meet You (Introductions)," a lifesized portrait (20" x 18") of three labs.  All week long, I've been sharing older paintings, talking about what I would do differently today. It's been a great process - really reminding me that, despite my own feelings that I don't know much about painting, I actually do know quite a bit more than I did just a few short years ago. Today's painting, well, if I were to tackle this one again, I simply would choose not to paint it at all. The composition is so bad. The idea is fantastic, but I allowed myself to fall in love with the idea instead of the execution. That's impetuousness for you! But I'll critique it anyway: 1. Compositionally, there is a nice central point, but the yellow dog's head is a tough read, and the chocolate's front leg is awkwardly cropped. Furthermore, the black dog's back mim...

FROM LEFT:  "Truffles I" "II" and "III", each 4" square, acrylics on museum quality panel, currently being sold at auction . Proceeds to benefit my animal shelter, the Oakland Pet Adoption Center . These are the best sort of truffles - ones you can never have too many of! Wouldn't they make a great Valentine's gift for someone special? Bid via Facebook by commenting on the paintings' photo . Bids accepted until 9pm EST Sunday, January 26th. All monies raised exceeding $60/painting will be donated to my local animal shelter. (And I know I was supposed to start that big painting today - but the panel I had overnighted arrived damaged, so it looks like Friday is when I'll get to start.) Thanks for helping homeless animals AND sharing my love of chocolate! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Hostess I and II, each 5" square for a total surface size of 5" x 10", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting the best cupcakes in the history of ever. Available at auction (see below). The Princess's friend Alayna was diagnosed with leukemia at the beginning of the summer. Her cancer is in remission (as of two days ago - yee haw!!), but she is recovering from side effects that occurred during treatment. We've been busy planning a benefit concert for her - that will happen this coming Saturday. Meanwhile, in an additional show of support, I want to auction these two cupcakes. A Sweet for a Sweetie. 100% of the proceeds will go to Alayna and her family. The auction will continue through 8pm EST on Sunday, September 22nd. Bid Here. Meanwhile, if you are local, consider yourself invited to  A Concert for Alayna  Saturday at Wildwood Pavilion (in Lake Orion, Michigan), from 11-8pm. Local entertainment, food, vendors, auctions, raffle - ...

    "A Kiss for Oklahoma," 6" x 6", still life painting of a Hershey Kiss, done in acrylics on museum quality panel, currently  at auction . 100% of the proceeds from this painting will be donated to the  Red Cross  for their rescue and support efforts during the aftermath of severe weather in Oklahoma.   It took me a while to figure out how to support the victims of the Oklahoma tornados. I tossed around the idea of a gift certificate or a doll painting. And then in a quiet moment in the candy aisle of the grocery it suddenly came to me.   A kiss.   I'm trying out the Daily Paintworks site this time around. I've been a member here for over a year and not taken advantage of all the various features they offer, one being their auctions.   Please take a minute and peek at the  100+ paintings being auctioned to benefit Oklahoma . Maybe there's something you just can't live without.    Au...

"Pink Tootsie," 6" square, just one of several demonstration paintings from today's workshop.       Oh my goodness, but these ladies are demanding!! Do you know that I spent ALL DAY on my feet, moving from easel to easel, talking about color and value? Then I was force fed Louisiana seafood.   Tomorrow's gonna be even harder. The topic? gestural brushwork. And southern Bar-B-Que for dinner.   Why do I sign up willingly for this kind of torture?!   Thanks for following along! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com