Paintings With Soul

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 

"Untitled," 10" x 18", portrait of a chocolate lab, acrylics on museum quality panel, available for $679 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may come  to me . LOTS of in process pics are on  Facebook SOLD Many more dog and ball paintings to come - who wants in?  send me your pics !! ** Thanks for following along! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com **By sending photos, you are granting me permission to create derivative artwork of said photos and are guaranteeing that this permission is yours to grant. You have no obligation to purchase resulting painting(s), but will have right of first refusal. 

    Order Notecards and Reproductions   "Reilly," 11" x 14", commissioned portrait of a chocolate lab, done in acrylic on a museum quality panel, in a private collection (THANK YOU!).   In process views of Reilly's portrait as it unfolded were shared on the  studio Facebook page  yesterday. You can find them inside  the Mobile Uploads folder . And by the way, you do not need to have a Facebook account to view either of those links.   I'd love to talk about creating something just as spectacular as Reilly's portrait for you -  email me  and we'll begin that conversation!!     It's scarey, allowing my clients and the general public to watch my work unfold (because during my work day I post in-process pics of paintings to the studio Facebook page).   I'm opening myself up to criticism - what if I am having a bad day in the studio? what if the client totally hates the...

      "Dexie," 6" x 8," a chocolate labrador retriever portrait done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, headed to a private collection (THANK YOU!!).   However,  let me know  if you would like something similar starring your own best friend. It's too late to book a portrait for the year's end, but I can totally hook you up with a gift certificate. Or a killer Valentine's gift - think about THAT!!   You can view in process pics of Dexie's portrait on  the studio's Facebook page  - I update in process pics of whatever's on my easel at least several days each week.   Discipline is hard this time of year. I am preparing ideas for new works to exhibit in 2013, yet I have to stay focused and work on commissioned pieces and bide my time. I'm itching to spend a couple days painting my own c...

"Manic," 10" square, painting of a chocolate lab playing in water, done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, $539 to the first one  asking nicely .   SALE PENDING (thank you!) The inspiration photo for "Manic" came from those submitted for my  "Cherish" paintings . Funny how last winter dogs and water were not even on my radar. And now I can't get enough of them!   This is the piece I blocked in and started  on Tuesday . In process pics are on  the studio's Facebook page .   There's also in process pics of another dog and water piece, "One Fish, Two Fish," which I started and completed during a four hour live painting session last night at  Merge Gallery . I'll highlight "One Fish, Two Fish" in tomorrow's blog post.   Warm thanks to the staff at Merge for hosting a spectacular and inspiring night of creating, and to all the kind folks who stopped by and said hello while ...

      "Gone Fishing," 12" square, done in acrylic on museum quality panel, depicting a dog (chocolate lab perhaps?) in water. In process pics of this painting are on  the studio Facebook wall .   "Gone Fishing" will go home with the first to ask nicely - he's $599, or $539 if you are a collector- inquiries may come  to me .   I'm having so much fun painting dogs and water - but pretty soon it'll be too cold for me to shoot my own references. That said, I'm always open to considering photos any Painting a Dog a Day fans have taken of their own dogs - you can  email them to me directly . Submitting photos does not mean that you are obligated to make any sort of purchase, either - you are just feeding my muse, free of charge!!   Happy Weekend! Kim, who's going to bundle up and cheer on the Dragons at tonite's Homecoming Game after she feeds her face ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   PS ...

    "Silly Goose," 10" square, acrylic on museum quality panel, depicting a chocolate lab splashing in the lake, $539. In process pics are on  the studio Facebook page . Meanwhile, imquiries may come  to me .   I really should have worked on a commission today. I'm pretty far behind (and my apologies to those of you who are oh so patiently waiting).   But some days I just can't do them, no matter how high they are stacked. Or how many chips I eat. And between last nite and this afternoon, I consumed an entire bag. Kid you not.   Some days I gotta paint just for me.    Fondly, Kim, who needs to get better at making time for her own muse without feeling guilty as heck. But eating that bag of chips compounded the guilt 1000 times over. ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    

      Every month, I travel back in time one year, and try to find my fav painting to make a calendar page. It's a grand journey, and the decision isn't usually that tough.   Except for this time.   Last September was a break through month for me - I made a number of paintings that I felt were important in my journey. But I chose this one, "Lady in Blue," because she represented triumph.   She initially was a sketch for a commission, and the client chose a different direction (here's  "Gracie's Throne,"  the finished commission, here - I have no regrets whatsoever on this project!). Something wasn't quite right with the piece, and it languished on my shelf for months until I figured it out.   While I knew it wasn't quite right to begin with, I didn't yet have the knowledge to fix things. Once I figured it out (values, more grays, and some additional saturation in her body, along with a complete redraw of her skeleton), things ...

"Sibling Rivalry," the newest installation in the "Cherished" series, 10" x 18", acrylic on museum quality panel, depicting a pair of chocolate labs wrestling over a frisbee, only $629 to the first taker.   Check out the detail of the dogs' faces down below.   Lots of in process views of this painting are updated on the studio's Facebook page . You are invited to take a peek and comment or ask questions about my process.   And inquiries, including how you can get a portrait of your own dog, can always come  to me! !! Thank you!!     This painting was inspired by a series of photos taken at Frankenmuth, Michigan's Dog Bowl last weekend. So many dogs, so many painting ideas, and today I got to indulge in one of them!!   Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork! Kim  ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Lady in Blue," 8" square, portrait of a chocolate lab. This one is done in Golden Open Acrylics on an Ampersand Gessobord. It's available for $399  to the first one asking nicely - inquiries may come  to me . This is a rework of a sketch I did last year in preparation for a larger portrait (I've inserted a jpg of the original sketch below). I worked up a couple of options, and my client chose a composition different than this one (you can see the finished piece here).  I always liked the divan and the dog's glorious sense of relaxation, though, and decided today to go back into the sketch and finish it up. It makes my spine all tingley, looking at it, and imagining how relaxed the dog is. That's how I know that this painting is done. The original sketch didn't have quite the same feel. Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my artwork with your friends and family, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com COMING UP ~~ PAINTING WORKSH...

"Kayla," 6" square, Golden Open acrylics on panel, commissioned (and posthumous) pet portrait of a Chocolate lab, private collection (THANK YOU!). I am waiting on pins and needles to hear back from my client as to whether this IS Kayla's likeness - always the worst and the best part of doing commissions. The worst because the client could come back and ask for major changes, and the best because they also could be doing cartwheels. I always fear the worst, though - artists tend to do that to themselves!! Over the weekend I put together two other Creative Journalling workshops - a 5 session one for children this fall, and a several week course for adults to take place in January. I'll be opening registration up (and sending out an email announcement) shortly for the children's workshop - let me know if you want to be in that distribution. As to the adult session, I'm waiting to hear if this fabulous bookmaking artist is willing to start things out with...

"Grace's Throne," 18" x 24", Golden Open Acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord, commissioned pet portrait of a Chocolate Labrador Retriever, private collection (THANK YOU!). Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me - and it's not too early to start thinking about the holidays, either! I couldn't get to the easel soon enough today - and while I'm sad to see Grace finished (which means she'll be leaving the studio and headed home), I've got this amazing adrenaline rush happening over the end result. Up close, the paint is very loose, with luminous layers of glaze (see the detail below). Yet from a distance, everything melds together well, presenting a bold and harmoniously colored classic portrait. Who's lined up for next week? Well, I've got two kitty commissions due and then I'm finishing up a handful of paintings for my solo exhibition, ...

Still untitled ("Grace's Throne"?), 18" x 24", Golden Open Acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord commissioned pet portrait of a chocolate lab and her very special chair, private collection (THANK YOU!). Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me . I've been plugging away on Grace's painting this week. I find myself getting lost in the patterned chair, but then have to come back and put more color and detail in her face. After all, it's a portrait of Grace, not the wingback. What do I think works most successfully in this painting right now? Grace oozes relaxation - that's inherant to the drawing/her body language and has nothing to do with the paint/color. But the paint and color aren't so shabby either. Still a little too harsh, but after I scumble some softer glazes overtop, all will be perfect. Thanks, as always, for looking at - and sharing - my artw...

Untitled in-process painting starring Grace, a luscious Chocolate Lab. This painting is 18" x 24" (a big un!), done in Golden Open Acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord. You met Grace last month, when I painted several preparatory studies (one here , and the other here ). My client and I agreed that this was the pose with the most personality, and I got out the big brushes today. I'm showing you the early stage of Grace's almost lifesized portrait - it will take me a little more than a day to finish (although if I had my way, there'de be cerael for dinner so I could just keep painting through the night! darn it - why'd I have to thaw out a roast?). Tomorrow the top 5 artists are advanced to Round Three of the Daily Painters competition, so this is your last chance to vote in Round Two: please vote 5 gold stars for Painting a Dog a Day and help me earn a membership in this prestigious group of artists: http://www.dailypainters.com/blog/contest . You are invited ...

Here is a second study for Gracie's larger portrait, this one 6" x 8", done in Golden Open acrylics on a Raymar panel. (The first one, in case you missed it, is here ) Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me . As you might recall, Grace's final portrait will be sized approximately 18" x 24". Because I prefer to work alla prima (meaning all in one session) and I didn't have a clear cut favorite pose, I decided to do a couple smaller studies first. This allowed me to work through the painting concept on a couple different levels, and gave my client a few visuals to help steer his decision making. This one has a Richard Schmid flavor to it - the woven paws and legs tucked under her chin were the perfect backdrop for the concentrated brushwork, greatest areas of contrast, most saturated color and sharpest edges. SOLD Thanks, as always, for looking at - and sha...

"Princess Grace," study for a larger portrait, 8" square, Golden Open acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord, commissioned pet portrait of a chocolate lab. Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me . Grace comes with an entire line of furnishings and household items. Well, not really, but she is the official mascot of a furniture store in Brentwood (CA), so it's close enough. And the concept for her portrait was to include some of the exquisite items from the retail environment, showing her completely at home in her surroundings. This is one of several ideas I'm sketching out for my clients' consideration. Grace's final portrait will be in the range of 18" x 24", so there will be plenty of opportunity to add additional detail and range of color - including the elaborate fleur de lis pattern on this settee, which I would not mind having here in the studio.......

Today you are getting a little mini-lesson of my process, which I hope you enjoy. If you have questions please use the comments field of my blog, this way I can condense my responses in one place. Thanks in advance! This is the north side of the studio, where I have my easel (a Best Classic Dulce), my tools (the green cabinet, a vintage filing cabinet/tool chest - note the palette on the top of the cabinet) and my taboret (an old enameled tea cart). I have a ceiling light in the studio, an ott light attached to the easel, a daylight floor lamp behind me and the natural light from the northern window (pictured) and the western facing one (behind and to the left of the easel). (You can also see the original wallpaper to the room, which I plan on covering this winter with Anaglypta paper. I think the walls will then be painted a dove gray.) This painting is an 11" x 14" Ampersand Gessoboard, which I have leaning against a larger piece of masonite. This allows me to work on the p...