Paintings With Soul

Delusions of Grandeur 24" x 30", acrylics on panel, featuring a self important feline. I do have a collector interested, but should they choose to pass, Grandeur is $899 (includes s&h inside the US) to  the first asking nicely . SOLD (TY!) My whole body is sore. I've been painting and dancing at the easel since 10am. Painting can be quite a workout!

"Catnap," a portrait of studio kitty daVinci, 12" x 12", acrylics on panel. Available to the first daring to invite Vinnie into their home. He's been peeling wallpaper from the walls and taunts the crated puppy ridiculously. Although the painted version should behave far better. $200 will get you a cat. Inquiries to me , and thank you so much. And yes, I am still doing commissioned pet portraits, starting around $300 for a museum quality painting. A portrait is a fabulous way to honor our four legged family members. Reach out if this is something you are considering - I do a couple of them each month. Thanks for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

"Spots," 5" x 7", acrylics on museum quality panel, available for purchase to the  first asking nicely , $199 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much! Returning to my roots and painting a simple, backlit kitty. This was a means of reminding myself that I DO know how to paint. The last 10 paintings with the ribbons pushed me so far out of my comfort zone - which is a fantastic thing to do, because that's the only way I'm going to learn - but it's also exhausting. Thanks, as always, for supporting my dream, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"Midas," 24" x 30", acrylics on panel, available for purchase to the  first asking nicely , $899 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much! I should charge double for this one. Those ribbons took a damn eternity, so many repaints I lost count, and I'm freaking cross eyed from the stripes. BUT - here's the thing - I stuck through it, asked myself why things weren't working, found the answers through trial and error, and made it work. So yesterday's crappy paint day? No longer matters my friends! Thanks, as always, for supporting my dream, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

IN PROCESS: "Midas," 24" x 30", acrylics on panel, available for purchase to the  first asking nicely , $899 (includes s&h inside the US). Thank you so much! This is daVinci, one of my studio kitties. And this painting is entirely HIS attitude - he thinks he's a Pretty Big Deal. So the ridiculous crown of gold ribbons and his stately, classic 3/4 profile are absolutely perfect. I had hoped to finish the piece today, but had a tough time finding my groove. Which happens - so, I'm going to be kind to myself and return tomorrow for another pass. It's only paint. And we can't always be on fleek. Well, maybe you can, but I can't! Thanks, as always, for supporting my dream, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"Ewok," 10" x 12", acrylics on panel, $219 + s&h to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may come to me . I spent most of today sketching and working out some new ideas. I've found a rental space that will allow me to go bigger than I ever have before....... Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    Shop Reproductions Here

"Hobbes," 18" x 24" x 1-1/2", acrylics, charcoal and ink on museum quality cradeled panel (painting wraps around the sides, so there is no need to frame), featuring an enormously tender and orange tabby kitten, crowned with daisies and baby's breath. Hobbes is allergen free, won't scratch your furniture or leave hairballs inside your favorite shoes, and he guaranteed to make you smile - $1499 will get him to your door (inside the US, but yes, I do ship worldwide) - inquiries may always come  to me . The world gets darker by the day. I believe some of my best floral paintings are coming from a desire to create beauty and paint hope. Hobbes is one of these pieces. We can't let the darkness win.  Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    WORKSHOPS: "Color-iffic," Montague, Michigan (near Grand Rapids), September 8-9th, 2016. For further information or to enroll, please contac...

"Mona Lisa's Garden," 10" x 20", acrylics on a museum quality panel, a portrait of Mo Bug (my studio kitty). This delightfully impressionistic garden painting can be yours for $399 (this is a bargain price, but it's also much looser and juicier and sketchlike, so I thought I'd price it accordingly) - let me know if I can wrap her up for you! There's several gardens growing in the studio ( Daisy and Posey ), and another one blooming outside. Life is good at Casa Santini. ALSO: come paint with me in Tulsa next week - May 4th and 5th. More information can be found here . Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Daisy," 10" x 16", acrylics on masonite with white charcoal details, depicting a tuxedo kitten peeking from behind an arrangement of daisies, $579 (with complimentary s&h inside the US) to the first asking nicely . I've pulled a number of paintings from my archives, and am dressing them up with florals. Daisy used to be Mum's Kitten , and I absolutely LOVE the depth and added interest the piece now has. Take a peek at the detail below - the painterly quality of the surface is mouthwatering. At least to me! Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Domino and Roses," 7-1/2" x 12", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a tender little b&w kitten perched among an arrangement of roses, $449 (with complimentary s&h inside the US) to the first asking nicely . I worked on my daughter's portrait today, starting to paint in the florals that will make up her crown (who am I fooling, it's a petal filled brain explosion). And then I pulled out this old painting , drawing roses in overtop. The drawing begged for paint and some more adjustments. And now, what was old, is new again. And would make a gorgeous Mother's Day gift for that kitty loving Mom. (I loved him before, but I love him even more after this upgrade!) Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

In process, "Toile Tabby (Mona Lisa)," 6-1/2" x 6", acrylics on copper panel, portrait of my ever willing studio muse and tabby cat, complete with her air of mystery. When finished, this piece will be $599 to the first asking nicely. As always, inquiries may come to me .  I don't often force myself to take time away from the studio, but did so this weekend. Sometimes one can benefit from shutting down - or trying to shut down - the incessant color mixing/painting/composing/problem solving that goes on in one's head.  In my case, I returned to the studio early this morning - 7am!! - eager get to the easel and a bit more clear headed and focused than I have been as of late. The break (including a massage, reading, knitting, baking, journaling and family time) was good for me. And here I am at 11pm, readying to call it a night. Because when inspiration calls, my brushes are compelled to get to work answering. Thanks for your interest in...

In process detail of "Mona's Nest," 11" x 14", acrylics on museum panel, portrait of my studio muse Mona Lisa, $1259 to the first asking nicely. As always, inquiries may come to me .  When my kids were little, we used to make huge piles of blankets and soft sweaters and snuggle in to read together. I knew they were upset or didn't feel well if they asked to make a nest. It was our first defense in making things right. I wish I could make a nest for everyone in the world who's hurting. There seems to be sadness and strife and terror and loss everywhere I look. I want to make a nest for each person who's heart aches, and tuck them in with a dog eared copy of Hug . Today I did the next best thing. I painted a nest, read my kids' well loved copy of Hug, and visualized comfort radiating out into the world. Thanks for your interest in my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Jingle," 5" x 11", acrylics on museum quality panel, inspired by studio kitty Mona Lisa, $349. This is a reworked painting , one from a couple years back, that needed a little more oomph. Today it got that, splashes of color and an added jingle bell. Do you want Jingle for yourself?  email me  then! Buy notecards, tote bags, cell phone cases, etc here. Hoping everyone had a wonderful weekend - tomorrow rings in a new month. I'm not ready for December! Thanks for your interest in my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Nest II (daVinci)," 12" x 12" x 1-1/2", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting everyone's favorite studio kitty daVinci. I think I can part with this painting. Well, provided the right family comes along. The piece is $699, which includes shipping and handling to a US address. Email me if you would like to bring daVinci (the painted, sleeping, well behaved daVinci) home. This painting has been on my wall for over 2 years. I loved it, but it was a sentimental sort of love for that particular memory of a tiny kitten. It wasn't the sort of love I have for pieces that are exquisitely painted which I can't believe came off my brush. Today I thought I'd try to capture that second sort of love. I repainted the entire surface with a combination of spatulas, wedges, fingers and tiny brushes.  There is a fabulous amount of texture and subtle layering of color happening here that just makes me grin ear to ear. And ...

"Mums Kitten," 10" x 16," acrylics on masonite, depicting a second black and white kitten (I painted one yesterday ). Please forgive the poor quality of the photo - this painting is VERY wet and most likely will take a couple hours to dry, so I opted for an iPhone pic and a little glare as opposed to waiting until 1am - I hope you can forgive me! I'll put a scan on the blog tomorrow - but meanwhile, this little guy can be yours for $579, and that includes s&h to your door (inside the US). Please inquire to me . And take a peek at the in process photos which are here . Opposites So Domino, my painting from yesterday , was a lighter valued black and white kitten painting. And Mum went in the opposite direction - there are lots of richly hued dark values in this painting. I wanted to experiment with the two extremes. See how the layered marks read when they were light vs dark. Play with lost edges at each end of the spectrum. Sand ...

"Domino," 7-1/2" x 12," acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a tender black and white kitten. Domino can be yours (talk about a low maintenance cat!) for $449, and that includes s&h to your door (inside the US). Please inquire to me . Also, in process photos are here . It's Time to pARTy!! So Domino, this sweet little guy, I think will make an excellent muse for this month's pARTy. What's a pARTy? Well, it's when artists work from the same reference to create work showcasing their own unique style. Domino's pARTy reference came from the website Paint My Photo - a great spot to find a little (or a lot) of inspiration. I've included the direct link to the photo , but ask that anyone participating does join the group (it's free!) and adhere to their terms of service (essentially only using their photos to make non-digital art, and the non-digital piece is their request, not mine). If you are p...

"Harold," a painted sketch, roughly 5-1/2" x 6-1/2" centered on a 9" x 12" mixed media paper, acrylics, private collection (THANK YOU!). As always, inquires may always come directly  to me .  Yesterday I made a list of all the things that needed to happen before The Kentucky Derby. It was a daunting list, and it scares me. But it's also nice to have everything identified that needs to happen.   Things like finding shoes, creating new marketing materials, doing a large scale mailing, shipping fresh inventory to my galleries, freshening up my website, building a slideshow presentation of my experience, finalizing various poster signing/appearance details, picking up my Derby dress from the seamstress, finishing up the sketches sold last month, creating more racing scene contours, taking care of final details on the new painting process video, connect with a couple mentors to mentally prepare for the week, completing two big piec...

"Kisa," 8" x 10", acrylics on panel, depicting a gorgeous British Shorthair cancer survivor (she lost her eye to melanoma). This painting is done in acrylics on a Raymar panel, and will be headed home once the varnish dries. Inquires on acquiring one of my limited commissioned pieces may come directly to me . Thanks so much in advance! #YourTurn, #DayTwo As mentioned yesterday, this week I am participating in the #YourTurn Challenge. Inspired by Seth Godin , #YourTurn is made up of bloggers who recognize the privilege of an audience, and collectively are pledging to deliver content for 7 days straight. Today is #DayTwo, and my assignment is to share "What's Important to Me." I'll try to keep it short, in no particular order. My family. My insanely brilliant and cherished circle of friends. The security of a roof over my head. The tools of my trade. Music to fit every possible mood (thank you Spotify and Soundcloud!) ...

"Turtledove," 2007, 8" square, acrylics on panel, depicting a wonderfully special ladybug, from my own personal collection. Fresh from the tough streets of Los Angeles, Turtle joined our family in 1991 - she came with both physical and emotional scars and an odd meow that sounded like a dove cooing. When I began the studio in 2000 (after leaving the traditional workforce), it seemed symbolically similar to the rebirth she experienced when adopted. And so it made perfect sense to name my business after her - and thus TurtledoveDesigns was born. Why am I doing the #YourTurn Challenge?? In October 2006 I started painting and blogging daily. I did it quietly, and at first only told a few close souls, so that I felt a sense of accountability. But I also didn't want to fail miserably in front of a huge audience. Clearly, in the past 7-/12 years, my audience has grown a bit beyond those first confidants. And there have been times I've drop...

"Because He Can," 8" x 10", Golden acrylics on a Raymar panel. Who else could this be but the one and only daVinci, my studio kitty? The painting is available for $469 which includes s&h inside the US. Inquiries may come  to me . Please and thank you! daVinci has no problem dropping everything to clean his butt, no matter where he is or who might be in the room with him.  He purrs while cleaning himself too. What do you suppose that means? Here's your chance to get a piece of him without his stinky-ness. Too bad I can't wrap up some kitten snuggles, too. In process images are here.   Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork! Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com