Paintings With Soul

"Dandy Lion," 18" x 24", acrylics on panel, $499. I can't stop thinking this is Aslan , which was entirely unintentional, but of course I absolutely LOVE that connection. Please  email me  to purchase. Next up? figuring out poppies...... Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"On the Turf I," 6" x 8", acrylics on museum quality panel, starring a chestnut Thoroughbred race horse and jockey in full stride. This piece is $329 (which includes s&h inside the US). Inquiries may always  come to me , and thank you so much.  Running with an idea. Last week I got the idea to paint individual running horses on small panels. Things got a little crazier when that idea grew into a double diptych, "Tail Lights ." And yet I still very much wanted to paint these little guys at an individual level. And so I have!  Above is the first of a new series** where I will study propulsion and power and balance inside the horses' stride. I am wasting no time in getting going here - my second piece,  "On the Turf II" is nearly completed, and later this afternoon I will start "On the Dirt." (**Working in a series is a fantastic way to fully explore an idea. It gives the artist multiple op...

"Frolic", 12" x 16", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a foal (photo reference courtesy of PaintMyPhoto.ning.com ) stretching her legs. Further exploration of edges and blending courtesy of inspiration from studies with  Stanka Kordic . This painting, this little one, she need a home. $959 will bring her to your doorstep (inside the contiguous US) - inquire directly to moi , with in process photos  here . More Gut Listening Pursuant to Puff Ball's painting on Monday , I bring you Frolic. Painted mostly with a wedge and my fingers, with a conscious effort to lose edges, and a focus on super fun color. And size - if you haven't noticed, I've been painting larger lately, too - and this one carries some moderate texture. I'm liking this approach. A lot. It's a new way of capturing energy and motion, all the while allowing me to also dabble with the abstract qualities of the composition. What do you thi...

"Golden Butt," 7" x 16", Golden acrylics on an Ampersand Gessobord. This newest painting is a back side portrait of a Golden Retriever puppy. The painting is available for $589, which includes s&h inside the US - and returning collectors get 10% off. Better yet, if a new collector would like to take both butts  (meaning today's and yesterday's ), I'll give 10% off each piece, just to keep them together! Inquiries may come  to me . Please and thank you! I can't get enough butt. Here's another  Morgue File  (an online copyright free photo library) puppy. How does one resist that stretched out little puppy body? and those ears? double whammy. In process images are here  . And click through so that you can see closeups of ALL the color in his sweet little body! And next I will tackle kitty butt. Stay tuned!  Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork! Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com...

Detail of an in process painting, working title "The 9th Race, On the Turf," 8-1/2" x 24", acrylics on Ampersand gessobord, featuring a field of horses crossing the finish line. Available for $1199, inquiries may come to me . My head is still at the track, and clearly not paying attention to the snowfall outside, thinking of sunshiney days and bright green grass. And that First Saturday in May. I'm sure by now you've heard the news that I'm the 2015 Kentucky Derby Artist . I'm still processing what that means, and today I allowed myself to think of nothing but Thoroughbreds, sunshine, and spring like weather. In process photos are on Facebook - feel free to join in the conversation over there! Thanks for following along with my artwork, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

"The End of the Day," 16" x 20", acrylics on panel, depicting a beautifully feathered Gypsy Vanner draft horse, $679 to the first asking nicely . View In Process Photos In person this painting literally glows with layers of subtle and harmonic color. I even hear crickets and the drone of a fat honeybee. Paintings can do some remarkable things. I'm sharing some of my secrets in a 4 day workshop next month in Traverse City - we'll do a heck of a lot of painting, but we also laugh pretty hard, eat very well, enjoy sunset wine tasting on the peninsula, and make new friends. We need a few more bodies to make this happen - if you are interested, talk to Kathryn and figure out how you can join us. Thanks, as always, for your interest in my artwork, Warmly, Kim

Bear's Backscratch (finished), 12" x 20", acrylics on museum quality panel, a commissioned portrait depicting a delightfully goofy Golden Retriever, private collection (THANK YOU!). Inquiries may come  to me , though, because I can make something like this starring YOUR dog especially for YOU.     I wish I could paint like this every single day! In process pics chronicalling the last two days' work are  on Facebook .   Thanks for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   PS   Did you hear about  my painting giveaway ?

"Seventh Inning Stretch," 9" x 12", portrait of a Golden Retriever, acrylics on museum quality panel, available for $549. LOTS of in process pics are on  Facebook . And as always, inquiries may come  to me . SOLD I think the summer of 2013 should be marked with lots of dog and ball paintings. Who wants to  send me pics ? ** Happy First Day of Summer! I'm off for a beer in the back yard, 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. 

    IN PROCESS:  "Ball?," 12" x 12", portrait of a youthful Nita, a golden retriever (reference photo below), done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, $599 to the first asking nicely. Which you can do  via email .   I will share photos of this painting as it unfolds on  the studio Facebook page  over the course of the afternoon.   Which provides those of you with questions about my process the opportunity to jump in and ask.   Extra special thanks to Lisa Husar, friend and most amazing photographer, for her undying generousity in sharing images for my painting pleasure. I have painted her dogs Nita and Bear more than I've painted my own. You can show Lisa some love by visiting her  website  or following her on  Facebook  - prepare to be wowed!   (And if you think your dog has muse potential,  email me pics for painting consideration, no strings attached! Photos must have...

    "Taking Flight," 8" x 10", portrait of a tri-colored Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, done in acrylics on museum quality panel, $469.  Email me for purchase details .   Remember " Pile ," the painting I was commissioned to do that was then donated to a Cavalier King Charles fundraiser? (It raised them a very nice chunk of change, by the way!) Well, my client sent me many wonderful inspiration photos and I'm slowly working through my favorites. This breed is truly a joy to paint.   In process pics of this guy are  on Facebook .   And after starting this one, I realized he looks a lot like another piece  I did nearly 5 years ago to this date starring my friend  Dee Dee Murray 's dog Hallie. How weird is that?   (As an aside,  Hallie is now an artist in her own right )   Enjoy your evening, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

    Last week was a blur - not sure how it played out the way it did, but it's now history and I'm still here, which I suppose bodes well! I am learning to let the tides take me where they must without too much fretting.   Not too much, at least.   So my apologies for the delay in getting this out - enjoy!   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 ...

  ORDER NOTECARDS AND REPRODUCTIONS HERE     "Gigi," 10" x 10", portrait of a fluff ball, done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, my gift to Gigi's Mom for playing along with the Dog a Day Valentine's Giveaway.   Over 100 faces were submitted for consideration this year and it was difficult to narrow them down. I choose  22 finalists , but honestly didn't know until the absolute last possible minute who I was going to paint. And how I wish I could have painted each of them.   And I chose Gigi because she seemed to be overflowing with love, today's theme.   Happy Valentines Day from all the Santinis, Kim   ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   PS  In process pictures are on  the studio's Facebook page .  

  "Leia and The General," image approximately 12" x 7" roughly centered on a 17" x 14" piece of bristol board, done in acrylics. This special commission will be headed soon to a new home (thank you so very much!).     It's not every Monday I get to paint Princess Leia and The General. I'm just saying.   Fondly, Kim, who is grateful for her little Star Wars jaunt today, but also for the sacrifices of the millions of men and women who put their lives on hold to protect my freedoms. And the freedoms of my family. There is no compensation for that, but my heart is trying. ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

      "Dandy," 6" x 12", acrylic on museum quality panel, depicting a lively Yorkshire Terrier, $369. This painting would be a fantastic gift for a Yorkie Mom or a wonderful donation for a fundraiser. I imagine he will find a home quickly, so if you are interested in purchasing, please email me .   I messed up big time when I started Dandy - photos and documentation of one of my most common (and frustrating mistakes) are over on  the studio's Facebook page .   You know, there's gorgeous artwork on the walls of galleries and museums, but don't forget that this is the censored version of artists' production. The next time you look at a finished painting, remember that there were many other pieces that went straight from the easel to the trash.   Fondly, Kim, who's off to empty her trash bin ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com     Share the Dog a Day love and forward this email to a friend ...

      "Bunny 1" (on top) and "Bunny 2," image approximately 5-1/2" wide on a 9" x 12" sheet, done in acrylic on paper, depicting sweet and fluffy rabbits. One of these paintings is for my client (who plans on donating it to a shelter fundraiser), and the other one could be yours for $100 plus s&h.  Let me know !!   Enjoy your weekend and stay safe!   Kim, who plans on losing her voice at tonite's high school football game ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com