Paintings With Soul

  "The Torch Bearer," full painting and detail images above, 16" x 20", acrylics on panel, $649 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. Please note that the watermark is not on the original painting. Returning collectors always receive 10% off. I accept Paypal, personal checks and payment plans. Feel free to directly  message me  with your inquiries. Kentucky Derby Week was always a holiday in my mind. When I was a kid, my butterflies grew with each day, as I eagerly anticipated a rare afternoon of televised horse racing. It became even more of a special event when I was honored as the official artist of the 2015 Kentucky Derby (yes, the same year that American Pharoah swept the Triple Crown). I continue to mark this week by losing myself in all things equine, as the race approaches and the pagaentry builds. "The Torch Bearer" carries much significance to me. The reference photos came from a visit to Win Star Farms in Lexington just a few days before ...

"The First Saturday in May," 36" x 14", the official artwork for the 2015 Kentucky Derby, acrylic on museum quality panel, in a private collection. You can see a short video about the creation of this painting   here . I was offered this job in June 2014. Clare Jett, owner of JettStream Publishing, the licensing agency responsible for the Derby artwork, googled "horse racing art" and found my work. She traced it back to my blog, found my phone number, and cold called. That's the actual truth. Also, she told me I was the coolest headed artist she had ever offered the project to. And that's because, when she first contacted me, I thought she was a prank phone call. There was no way I was gonna give the prankster anything to hang over my head. But after we hung up and I realized it was legit, there may have been some jumping about, jazz hands and screaming. Thanks so much for following along with my art journey, Please stay w...

"Blurring the Lines," 11"x14", acrylics on museum quality panel, $499 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 will share some of my original equine work created over the years. This is something I've done since 2007 - celebrating one of the biggest weeks in horseracing (at least here in the states) by highlighting horses in art. It was extra special doing so in 2015, the year I was the official artist of The Kentucky Derby. Here's my blog post from April 27, 2015 , the day before I left for Louisville. But back to today's painting - this one has been in my personal collection for a couple years. I'm ready to let her go, though, to someone who's at least as equally in love with her as I am. (I can't keep all my favorites, because I simply do not have the space! and I've got something on my easel right no...

"Surviving," 20" x 16" x 1/2", acrylic on gallery wrap canvas (image painted around the sides so no need to frame), $649 plus s&h to the first asking kindly. I accept paypal/venmo/personal checks and welcome payment plans.   Please reach out   and let me know how we can get you "Surviving." It's Kentucky Derby Week, which means I will be sharing equine paintings in the days leading up to Saturday.  This is a new piece fresh from the easel. I titled it "Surviving" after   Kaz Hawkin's poignant song of the same title. While the song is about her own story of domestic abuse, it's a swansong for anyone seeking change, and I know there's many of us doing so these days.   Listen to the song and know that you can survive, too . Thanks, as always, for following along with my art journey, Warmly, Kim

David+Austin, 36" x 48", acrylics on panel, $3925 with free shipping, available through   UGallery .  It's Derby Week!! In the past, as the days before The Kentucky Derby approached, I would busy myself with daily paintings of race horses and equines. However, in 2015, my Derby Week experience was the penultimate dream - I spent it in Louisville, being feted as the Official Artist of the Kentucky Derby. The entire year was a marvelous opportunity, from the out-of-the-blue phone call offering me the project, to months of research and painting surreptitiously, to the reveal party at Churchill the November prior, then a presentation at the Kentucky Derby Museum during their birthday gala in April, and finally experiencing Derby Week first hand as a special guest. I will always be grateful to the powers that be for delivering the best project at the best moment in my life - Clare and Pat, you have special spots in my heart. Here's the link to a photo essay of my j...

They got their hats! These chicks are ready for the Kentucky Derby. 18" x 24", acrylics on panel, starring two heirloom Derby Chicks. These chicks are fairly common in the south, but up here in Michigan, it's rare to sight them. I've included a detail below so that you will recognize one more easily in the future. This Derby Chicks painting is $865 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may come  to me . Please and thank you. Two years ago I was feted all week in Louisville as the official Kentucky Derby artist. The final honor was sitting in our box at Churchill Downs' finish line and watching American Pharoah win the first leg of his Triple Crown. History unfolded for me personally and for the sport I passionately grew up with. Wishing all involved a safe trip tomorrow.

"The Winner's Circle, American Pharoah," 24-3/4" x 24", depicting Triple Crown champion American Pharoah (after winning the 2015 Kentucky Derby). This was my view on Derby day, painted from iPhone photos I took from our seats at the finish line. I still can't believe it happened - that I was the Kentucky Derby artist - and that we have a new Triple Crown winner to boot!.  This painting is acrylics and mixed media on a museum quality panel. It is available for $2980 (including s&h within the US). I am happy to discuss payment plans - inquiries may always come  to me.   Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

We've watched the Kentucky Derby for years. And for many of us, attending The Kentucky Derby is a bucket list item. I knew one day I'd make it to the grounds of Churchill Downs, but never thought it would be on Derby Day as a special guest in my capacity as The Official Artist of The Kentucky Derby.   So it goes to reason that watching from our seats at the finish line was pretty emotional.  I grew up painting, of course, but I also grew up watching horse racing with my Grandfather. The best part of the springtime classics was comparing notes and debating our picks (and scouring newspapers for grainy photos of horses in training to sketch). He always chose the Arkansas Derby winner, and I went for the underdog, the gray, or the filly. And there was always art inspired by the pagentry. After Grandpa passed away in 2010 navigating Derby Week felt hollow. But this year, things were different. I wasn't just another horse racin...

Here's my high school senior and my high school freshman. Unbelievable, isn't it? So cliche, but only yesterday they were splashing together in a kiddie pool with the dog. Oh wait, that WAS yesterday....... We are kicking summer vacation off with a long weekend with the Kelly's.  6 families, 10 of the 11 grandkids (The Man Child is gone for the summer, training and touring with Madison Scouts Drum Corps), hours of whiffle ball, monster sized bonfires, Apples to Apples tournaments, and weather permitting, time on the water. Assuming I'll have internet/cell coverage, I will check email and respond to orders and more pressing details. Otherwise, you won't hear from me until Tuesday. There's still some Kentucky Derby and Oaks posters remaining, for those of you just learning about the personalized offer. They can be customized with a special message and quick doodle - who isn't excited about seeing a Triple Crown winner this year (a...

Want to get your own personalized 2015 Kentucky Derby or Oaks poster? I have limited quantities of each available for special inscriptions and doodles - above is just a sampling of what you could get. Inquiries may always come to me . I have (50) Kentucky Derby and (50) Kentucky Oaks posters, each featuring my own official artwork of the 2015 Kentucky Derby, available. Until now, I had no inventory of the posters (and posters are all I have inventory of - for other Derby related gifts please visit Derby Art Gifts ). I will further personalize these posters with a special message and quick doodle - this makes them uniquely yours and is a fantastic way to commemorate our Triple Crown winner American Pharoah! (and what a cool Father's Day gift!!) 2015 Kentucky Derby poster, with personalization, $50 (image & details here) 2015 Kentucky Oaks poster, with personalization, $40 (image & details here) S&H inside the US (up to 3 un...

IN PROCESS: "The Winner's Circle, American Pharoah," 24-3/4" x 24", depicting Triple Crown champion American Pharoah (after winning the Kentucky Derby) on his way to the winner's circle at Churchill Downs. This was my spectacular view on Derby day, painted from iPhone photos I snapped. This painting is acrylics on a museum quality panel and is available for $2980 (including s&h within the US) to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may always come  to me.  In process photos are  here. Unbelievable! Did you see it? The Belmont Stakes ?   And can you guess that I cried huge silent elephant tears when, at the top of the stretch, American Pharoah started pulling away? (if you also guessed that my children ridiculed me, you should earn a special prize!) I couldn't believe it - I was too young to clearly remember Affirmed, the last Triple Crown winner. And honestly, there had been a flurry of champions taking this honor in m...

IN PROCESS: "The Winner's Circle, American Pharoah," 24-3/4" x 24", depicting Triple Crown candidate American Pharoah after winning the Kentucky Derby, on his way to the winner's circle at Churchill Downs. This was my view on Derby day, painted  using my iPhone photos. This painting is acrylics on a museum quality panel and  is available for $2980 (including s&h within the US) to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may always come to me . In process photos are here . An Ambitious Undertaking I can't help but wonder if American Pharoah will be the next Triple Crown winner. And while my Kentucky Derby experience couldn't be more perfect, seeing a Triple Crown winner in the flesh just might make it perfecter after the fact. So I'm savoring and enjoying that possibility this week - quite a bit! This is a BIG painting - big in size and in ambition. So many complex areas - the spectators, the horses, the infield, ...

American Pharoah Won the Derby !!! I snapped the above iPhone photo from our seats near the finish line at Churchill Downs, as American Pharoah was making his way to the winner's circle.  Yeah, I did just say that. Our seats. At the finish line.  Here's some other way amazing things I got to do while in Kentucky:   Hang at Keeneland Race Track for morning workouts with some friends, after which we enjoyed breakfast afterwards at the track kitchen. Take in the artwork at Cross Gate Gallery in Lexington. Sip wine on the banks of the Ohio River. Get pink and freckled (yes, I had sunscreen on!). Practiced yoga in the dappled light of a glorious tree drenched in a Kentucky sunrise each morning. Signed about a gajillion posters, tickets, programs and tote bags for the kindest people. Made some new-to-me friends that feel as though I've known them my whole life. Ate the most exquisite meals - I kid you not - they were cray cray! ...

IT'S DERBY WEEK! (and yes I'm screaming!) So here's a few of the things I did today: Unpacked my suitcase from this weekend's dance competition (SO inspiring!). Intended to repack, but got sidetracked by child with flu. Lysoled entire house. Three times.  Made chicken soup. The aroma made me feel better. Sick child wanted none of it. Neither did children-who-are-healthy-for-the-moment. Didn't take it personally. Escaped to get a pedi and a mani. After all, I will be signing 100s of Kentucky Derby posters this week, and I have to look professional. Well, now that I think about it, it IS professional for an artist to have paint under their nails as opposed to on top of them..... Shipped out drawings and sketches - no other shipments will be leaving the studio until next week. Also shipped new equine inventory to Spa Fine Art . All of my galleries have a beautiful, deep selection of inventory going into May. Admired my Derby necklace (i...

One of 8 contour drawings made available today , all equine related. Because I couldn't wait ANY longer to start celebrating Derby Week! Contour drawings were something I learned in college as part of my life drawing class. The model would hold a pose for 10 minutes, and we were to draw the edges of her form. In 10 minutes. I know it sounds impossible, and at the beginning, it very nearly was. With practice, those contour drawings became blind ones (meaning that we couldn't look at our paper while drawing), and those poses shortened to 2 minutes. It's all a matter of training one's eye and hand. At the time I enjoyed the exercise, but didn't think much of it, and stopped doing drawings shortly thereafter. What the heck was wrong with me? (I know what it was - I got seduced by COLOR and all her mysterious ways!) Now that I've rediscovered contours, and begun doing them in colored inks, it seems to be a happy marriage.  You can see all o...

Detail of the in process painting "Siesta", 12" x 16", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a napping foal. Yet another exploration of edges, layers and blending courtesy of inspiration from studies with  Stanka Kordic . This painting will need a home. $959 will bring her to your doorstep (inside the contiguous US) - inquire directly to moi , with in process photos   here. Finger painting - That's what I did all day! Well, I also used a variety of wedges and spatulas and knives, scraping and spreading and building up texture. Then I ran out of time to finish him - dashing off to a Derby poster signing right now!   Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork! Warmly, Kim   ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

"Grindstone", 16" x 20" acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting Grindstone, just a few strides away from winning The Kentucky Derby in 1996. Read more about this painting's story below - it's a good one! And inquiries may come directly  to me .  Paying it Forward Shortly after getting The Derby Gig, which neatly dovetailed my childhood passion for horse racing with my grown up obsession with painting, I started formulating a plan to give back to the universe. As it played out, The Kentucky Derby Museum got involved, and it was decided I would donate a piece to them, something they could use as a fundraising tool to further their education efforts.  "Would I be interested in painting Grindstone, the winner of the 1996 Derby?" they asked. But of course! Little did I know the background story, though. Every year the Museum asks the owners of the Kentucky Derby winner to donate one breeding to the Museum when th...

Just a sampling of some recent creativity, clockwise from upper left, detail of "Charlie"s painted sketch, detail of a racehorse themed contour drawing, and detail of a journal page. Inquiries may come directly to me .  A couple days went by and I didn't get a chance to blog/email. I promise I'm not slacking!   I've been finishing up the 20 sketches sold in February (my goal was to have them done and shipped by the end of this month - I'm nearly there!), working on 36 new contour drawings (to be revealed at a local Kentucky Derby poster signing event next month), keeping abreast of my homework (remember Year of the Spark ?), communicating with my galleries about their Derby Day plans, keeping my desk clean (that means staying on top of paperwork and emails!), continued research about painting on copper (I got my copper panel last week), prepping (6) 16"x20" underpaintings for my Stanka Kordic workshop (I am giddy with antic...

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

Remember The Big Secret Painting From This Summer? It was the artwork for this coming year's Kentucky Derby. You can see my finished painting here , order a signed poster here , and read the official press release here . Saying this is an honor is an understatement. It is more tremendous than anything I ever could have imagined. And I would not ever have even been a candidate were it not for the love and support of an incredible network of friends and family. I've had a fan club from the very beginning and mentors who were always generous with ideas and inspiration. Add in a little old fashioned elbow grease, and something marvelous was bound to happen eventually. I still can't believe I'm going to The Kentucky Derby! As the artist! Pinch me!  Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com