Paintings With Soul

"Alice Honeybuns," 12" x 12" x 3/4", acrylics on cradeled birch panel, $529 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may come to me - ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . I love the story of Alice in Wonderland, especially the conflict between reality/dream/imagination that some feel they should debate. To me, the answer to that doesn't matter in the least. It's a delightfully imaginative story. What I have been thinking about, though, is what emotions Alice might have been feeling as the story unwound. I chose to paint her this time as a precocious and curious girl, stepping into the story with her stuffed bunny (The Velveteen Rabbit is another love of mine). There's more Alice's in the works - I have 4 of these little panels and plan to make a series of them. Finally, many thanks to those of you who wished me well last week. I don't usually get sick, and dang, this flu was some serious stuff. I am slowly returning to reality...

Tiny Dancer I, 24" x 48", acrylics on panel, $1499 plus s&h. Inquiries may come   to me . I have no idea what I'm doing in the studio anymore. I mean, I know I am painting, and obviously I'm painting figures, but other than that, it's a crap shot. I start with a certain idea in my head, like a little girl in a white tutu, and the rest of the composition reveals itself as I go along. This is entirely different than painting portraits and working directly with clients who expect a certain thing. When I'm painting a commission, the end result is predetermined and my progress (including knowing when the piece is done) is measurable. With my girls, it's not so obvious. I take them so far, and then wait to see what they have to say about it. Often it takes weeks before I realize, aha!, there isn't enough contrast/my color is too saturated/the ground and figure need to be more fully integrated/something else altogether. I'm learning to be ok ...

"Avery," 12" x 12", acrylics on a museum quality panel, private collection. Human portraiture continues to challenge me, but I felt pretty confident that I'd nailed Avery's sweet tender profile and that signature bottom lip. But no one was more thrilled with Avery's painting than my sister in law (and brother!), and they are the best judge of their little girl's likeness. A little girl who's soon to be a big sister AND a big cousin. We celebrated the welcome news of Kelly family expansion on Christmas Day - there will be 2 more at the table this time next year. Hope your holidays were extra special, too. Thanks for your interest in my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com