Paintings With Soul

"Eclipse," 12"x12", acrylics on museum quality panel, $549 plus s&h. I accept Paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Purchase inquiries can always come   to me . In honor of what should be Kentucky Derby Week, I am sharing my original equine work, which is something I've done this time every year since 2007. Isn't this painting something extraordinary? She's even prettier in person - the glazes shift and shimmer as you walk past. When I originally did this painting, shortly after the eclipse a few summers ago, a collector immediately asked for it. As we got to talking, she realized she would rather something similar to his piece, but larger, which I was happy to do. It gave me the chance to add personal symbols, like a firefly for each of her grandchildren, a butterfly and a hawk. It was profound getting to deliver the piece in person and see the space it was destined to hang. I can do the same thing for you with...

"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...

"Aflutter (Daydream #3)," 36" x 48" x 2", acrylic on museum quality panel. Pictured below is a detail of this lovely's face and the inspiration piece behind this painting, "The Rebirth of Wonder." "Aflutter" is best viewed in person, and I am looking to arrange a trip for her to accommodate just that. There is SO much nuance here, and layers upon layers of marks, that one gets entirely lost in the piece (which is perfect for daydreaming, no?). Meanwhile, I've decided to let her fly the nest - "Aflutter" is available. I accept paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Interested parties may   reach out to me ; she is $2799 plus s&h. Thank you so very much for your interest in my work. Her inspiration, "The Rebirth of Wonder," is a 16" x 20" gallery wrap canvas, $649 plus s&h, if "Aflutter" is a little too big for your wall. P lease inquire directly to me about either pa...

IN PROCESS "Aflutter (Medicine Hat #20)," 36" x 48" x 2", acrylic on museum quality panel. Pictured below is the inspiration piece behind this painting, "The Rebirth of Wonder," a 16" x 20" gallery wrap canvas (which is $649 plus s&h). Aflutter may be for sale when finished (I'm still making up my mind), and The Rebirth of Wonder is currently available -   please inquire directly to me about either painting.  I accept paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. I used to dive straight into my paintings with very little preliminary work. I loved the spontaneity such an approach provided, and did all my decision making right on the final surface. Lately, though, I have found myself doing a study (or two) prior to jumping in - perhaps it's because I'm taking things much larger than usual (this one is 4 feet high!), and having a bit of a gameplan makes me less nervous about wasting paint. However, this very elemen...

"Heaven Hold Us (Medicine Hat #12)," 20" x 24" x 1-1/2", acrylics on museum quality cradeled panel with image painted around the side, so no need to frame unless you wish. This original painting is $999 plus s&h to the first one asking nicely. Inquire directly   to me   - I take personal checks, paypal, venmo and will arrange payment plans. The Medicine Hat paintings   began as an exploration of what horses have meant to me over my lifetime. I figured out all along that they - horses - have been a safety net for my love. They don't judge or expect anything in return or withhold their attention. And I felt worthy when in their presence. Whether I was imagining it while making art/reading stories/watching horse races or simply blessed to actually be in their company. The last couple days I was blessed to be in this one's company. She has provided a lovely escape from the snow and ice and winds howling about outside....

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 ...

In process, this is a rework of an older painting titled "Comfort and Peace." It will get a spiffy, new title, since the painting's story has evolved. I've just not figured that part out yet. The ending to the story, nor how to get there. Such is the joy (or pain, depending upon one's point of view) in working intuitively. I never know where I will end up, but I do know that it's always an adventure, and there often is language as colorful as my brushwork. This is acrylic on panel, 24" x 30", and will be $999 plus s&h to the first one asking nicely. And of course you may ask prior to the piece's completion - I'm happy to offer first dibs. All it takes is a "pretty please." Inquiries may come directly   to me   - I take personal checks, paypal, venmo and can also arrange payment plans. SOLD (TY) I was never fully satisfied with  the earlier rendition of this one . I mean, it was ok in the whole scheme of things, b...

"Rearranging the Lines," 11" x 14", acrylics on museum quality panel, $499 plus s&h to the first one asking nicely. Inquiries can come to   me . Nobody wants to be predictable, nor do they want to be limited by others' notions of what they can or should be. So move those lines - they aren't barriers, just starting points - and reach for your goals. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork. Warmly, Kim

Dream, 15" x 30", acrylics on gallery stretched canvas, $799 plus s&h. Inquiries may come  to me . Another encaustic piece. This time I wanted the horses to melt into the space. Layers of nuanced pours, scrapings, scratching and drawing. Next comes a BIG one. At least I think so.........

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!!

Eclipse.  12" x 12", acrylics on panel, $549 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may always come to   me . Trying some things out this week, experimenting with rather substantial changes to existing work. Also, responding to the real world inside my imaginary one (paintings) more and more. You can't make this stuff up (The Great American Eclipse?!).

A Little Romance.  24" x 20", acrylics on panel, (sold - thank you SO much!) Inquiries may come to   me . Another special request painting - after completing   a gray mare and chestnut foal painting last week , I was asked to try my hand at a bay pairing. From the historic "Four Sixes Ranch" in Texas, comes the mare Mostfamouseromance, and this year's baby filly by Hez Our Secret. The baby is a promising future racehorse, and they are hoping to register her as Scandalous Romance, but for now she's just "a little romance." Now what to paint next? I'm open to suggestions - you are welcome to send   non-flash photos that you have taken  to  ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . By submitting a photo you are acknowledging that you are the photographer and have not assigned the copyright to any other parties and that derivative artwork may be made from your photo. You are under no obligation to purchase resulting artwork, however, you will ...

"Leggy," 24" x 36" x 1", acrylics on cradeled panel with painted sides (no need to frame). Available to the  first asking nicely , $1699 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much. This particular painting has gone through several incarnations . Each time I tackle her, I bring several months of continued study and learning to the easel. And while I loved the previous versions, I am doing cartwheels over this one. I always say, anything in my home/studio is fair game for a fresh coat of paint! Yes, please share Leggy. Add beauty to the world! Thanks for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"(Uni)corn Flower III," 18" x 24", acrylics on panel, featuring a unicorn filly sprouting a crown of corn flowers. $699 will get this baby girl delivered to your door (inside the US), and that's quite a deal! Inquiries may come to me . Lots of changes to this one over the last few days. I think she's all the better for them - and ready to head to a new home. Let me know if that's yours! Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"Pinwheel," 24" x 24" x 2, with painting wrapped around the edges (no need to frame) starring a baby zebra and a mess of candy-striped petunias (which were amazingly fun to paint!). This painting is absolutely stunning in person - I want to have you all over to see the scope and scale of what I've been creating!! Pinwheel can be yours for $2999, including complimentary shipping inside the US (and this is a heavy birch panel) (also, as with all my work, payment plans are an option). Inquiries may come  to me . It's a veritable zoo in the studio. And I'm not talking about my mess or the kids! Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

IN PROCESS "Pinwheels," 24" x 24" x 2", acrylics on cradled birch panel, featuring the baby zebra I discovered in the petunias this morning. This painting, when finished (Stripey, the foal, needs a bit more work), will be $2999 (with complimentary shipping inside the US). Yes, he can be purchased prior to completion, and yes, I do accept payment plans. Inquiries may come  to me . Did you know that a zebra's stripes are as unique as a fingerprint? Wishing all had a safe and wonderful holiday weekend!  Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"Butterfly," 9" x 12", acrylics on museum quality panel, accented with gold leaf, depicting a lively and delicate little filly in a sea of analogous spring-like color. This personality packed original painting is $649, with complimentary shipping inside the US.  Can I ship it to your home? let me know . Butterfly might look familiar - she's gone through several incarnations over the last 18 months. Some paintings take longer than others to be seen to fruition, and often I recognize that a piece isn't complete, but I don't know exactly what it needs. So I have to just be patient. Meanwhile, back at the homefront, another snow day and another sick day (poor Princess). Everyone else is working night shifts, so I escaped earlier for some fresh air. I loaded up on new reads at the library. Stopped for an armload of fresh flowers. Also bought cookies and a case of wine. It could be a long weekend. And they are predicting more snow for us n...

ABOVE "Legs," 24" x 36", acrylics on museum quality panel, portrait of an Arabian filly. There's layers of marks here that one really has to get in close to fully appreciate, and they build up a remarkable play between lost and found edges. I've included a detail below so that you can get a sense of how varied and subtle the surface is. This painting is $4299 with complimentary US s&h directly to your door. This is a chestnut filly, so she's growing up sassy and opinionated, like all chestnut filly's do. She is looking for a home that is equally sassy - if you think it might be yours,  let me know . For those interested in the creation of Legs, there are  in process photos online .  Thanks for your interest in my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Legs," 24" x 36", acrylics on museum quality panel, portrait of an Arabian filly. She's a chestnut filly, so she's destined to grow up sassy and opinionated. This piece will be offered to a select audience when completed. If you are interested, please let me know . We established that yesterday's easel time was worthless. I couldn't do anything right. And my inner critic had at me about it all last night, too, saying horribly mean things despite my feeding her chocolate. I mean, I stuffed it in her mouth, Ghirardelli dark chocolate, the good stuff. I couldn't shut her up. Today, though, today was a fresh start. I threw yesterday's 6" square panel into the "Paint Over Pile" with great pleasure, then unwrapped a 24"x36" panel and started a nearly lifesized foal portrait.  Because nobody tells me I don't know how to paint. You can follow along with the progress of this one online if you wis...

"Exquisite (Little One II)," 6-1/2" x 9", acrylics on copper, depicting the same little foal as yesterday . This painting is absolutely stunning when studied in the moving light - sections of the surface are exposed copper, and the metal reflects and absorbs the light as the viewer moves in closer. This piece is $699, which includes shipping and handling to a US address.  Here's a short video - you gotta see this to believe it!   Maybe you would like both paintings? We can work that out for certain - $899 will bring them both home.  Let me know  how I can make this happen for you (payment plan, credit card, etc). A Random Comment on Facebook.... ....stating the viewer thought yesterday's painting (above, on the left) was on copper got me thinking. Why not give it a try? A second comment of "exquisite" gave todays piece (above, on the right) it's title. Wow. This comparison truly brings home th...