Paintings With Soul

  "Full Moon (a portrait of Blue)," 14"x18", acrylics on panel, Not currently for sale (I intend to enter this piece in a juried exhibition where it must be for sale), but if you are interested in acquiring this painting in a couple months, inquiries can always come  to me . I love my Blue. As they say with rescue animals, who rescued who? and that's certainly the case with this little guy, who is teaching me to slow down and be clearer and deliberate with my actions. He's also amplified the joy present in my life a thousand fold. Spiritual wisdom tells us that a full moon is a symbol of a heart-centric, new beginning. I believe that our world is readying itself for just that, as vaccines are disbursed and we begin our post-pandemic lives. And who better to amplify that beginning than a little rescue dog, who came to us after 4 other households decided he wasn't the right fit for them. ALSO (a little reward for those of you who are still reading!) I will...

"Loui," 30" x 30" x 2", acrylics on cradeled museum quality panel, featuring my grand-puppy. If you would like something similar starring your own puppy (or any pet - I don't discriminate), please shoot  me  an email. THIS portrait was a huge surprise. We gifted it yesterday to The Caped Crusader for his birthday. And I'd been waiting a looong time to reveal it, too, having wanted to paint this little guy since he first showed up in our lives. Loui and his siblings were dumped in a cardboard box at about 6 weeks old. My son found him online via a rescue group, just a short time after our family had said goodbye to Finnigan, the dog he grew up with, in July. Loui is an adorably sweet mixed breed, clever and honest, with gorgeous brindle coloring and ears he might never grow into. His larger than life portrait was hung with great pride over the fireplace. And I'm sure Loui is stretched out on the couch right now, too, taking it all ...

"Blue," an 8x10 acrylic painting done on museum quality cradeled birch. Blue is going directly into my own collection, but I can create something similar starring your own pet. Inquiries may come   to me   - thank you! Continuing to think about how gesture impacts brushwork, and how brushwork can both carve and interrupt form. Learning that the essence of an object exists in energy that is not contained by neat and clean edges. Going to tackle a new piece today and see how far I can push these ideas. Thanks, as always, for following along with my art journey, Warmly, Kim

"Salvador Doggie," 24" x 48", acrylics on panel, $1499 plua a&h to the first asking nicely. I accept paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Inquiries may come directly   to moi   - and thank you very much! A couple years ago, the kids and my hub got it in their heads that they wanted another dog, a little lap warmer. I wasn't so sure.  With a senior dog, two cats, a bunny, hamsters and a constant flow of kids at our house, I felt we already had enough going on. They ganged up for months, sending me links to Petfinder dogs with the saddest little faces, and I was the Mean Mom, saying nope. No. Nadda. It's not happening. And then, while walking into the pet store to get food for the three thousand animals we already were caring for, we ran into this little guy. There was an adoption event, and he was there, sitting on someone's lap. He locked eyes with The Princess, and then my hub, and he fell apart. It was like they w...

This is Blue, and he joined our family last last summer. This little guy owns me completely. We're not entirely certain of Blue's story, since he's a rescue, but he's found his forever home with us. It didn't take long after Blue moved into our home for him to make himself home on my easel, too. He's been painted numerous times, and will be painted numerous more, I dare say. Over the years I've discovered that there's so much more to painting a portrait than capturing a likeness. Truly wonderful portraits don't just fill a spot on the wall - they step into our hearts. When I add elements of emotion to a portrait, the piece elevates into a conversation between the subject and the viewer. It's as if the painting is alive, even if it's not painted photo representationally. Particularly if it's not, perhaps. Blue's portrait above is an example of the marriage of likeness and emotive content - it transcends either to be...

In Process: "Blue, version 2.0," 16" x 20", acrylics on panel. Collection of moi. However I will make prints available when he's finished, so   let me know   if you are interested in being notified when that happens. I painted our little boy  Blue   once before, and   that one   is currently hanging in The Gold Show at The Anton Art Center in Mt. Clemens   (the exhibition opening is this Saturday, from 2-4, if you are interested).  Meanwhile, this is a similar pose but a different approach, lighter hearted and a bit more playful, just like Blue himself. I am considering sending this version to a juried exhibition as well, but if I do, he must be for sale. I'm not sure if I can do that and risk him not coming home. I suppose we shall see as the entry deadline draws closer if I feel any differently. Meanwhile, yes, I can do something similar to this starring your four legged soulmate. Commissioned portraits in this style start at...

"Blue," 16" x 20", acrylics on panel, not for sale. Not even if you ask nicely. My family will burn me at the stake if I let this one go. When My Better Half works nights (like he is tonite), I play while the sun's up and work at the end of the day. It's a fun change to my normal routine. Today included a little day trip with one of my favorite peeps in one of our favorite places. It was a delight to enjoy each other's company while the rest of the world was at work. And tonight I had blocked time out to paint for a juried exhibit. My entry is due next week, and, true to form I waited until the nth hour. Because the next painting is always going to be the better one. Well, not always, but I do like to pretend. And I think tonite I might have played my cards well. Well, mostly I played my cards well. You see, I turned my back, and Blue - yes, sweet little adorable - ate half my pizza** while I was feeding Gertrude Stein. Gertie ...

"Balancing Act," 24" x 9", acrylics on museum quality panel, featuring none other than Salvador Doggie practicing his mad balancing skills with a few holiday ornaments. This original painting is lush with drips and thick swaths of paint, and then there's those innocent eyes. Don't believe him, Santa, he's not that good...... "Balancing Act" can be yours for $549 + s&h - as always, inquiries may come to me . Thinking about balance today, what we believe we can do vs actual truth.  I am rabidly optimistic, and believe I can totally balance a cairn of ornaments on my head. While standing on one leg, too, no less. So why can't Sal? Thanks, as always, for following my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    PSST:  All remaining inventory from my Toys series of paintings (the little 6" square treasures) are now $50 plus s&h through December 10th, 2016. And yes, I will combine s&h on all order...

"Emitt," a commissioned pet portrait, 8" x 10", acrylics on museum quality panel, private collection (thank you!!).  While I'm working on some holiday portrait gifts (inquiries may always come to me ), I'm also continuing to paint a few larger pieces that represent my reaction/current emotional state. And I'm doing a lot of journaling. Introspection is my preferred method of healing, growing and planning. Well, that, along with painting. And when my paintings combine things I am passionate about, like my kids or yoga or favorite book characters or other "hidden" symbols, they are like stepping into a fantasyland where there is bound to be a happily ever after . Not anything sappy like those endings Disney delivers, but more like a space where I can impact my own story in a positive manner (and have flawless skin) . Yeah, I know, I'm a dreamer. Who's with me? I know there's more of you out there!  Thanks f...

"Salvador Doggie (Sal)," 24" x 48", acrylics, charcoal and ink on panel, featuring my newest muse, a rescued mixed breed. Details and in process pics are on Facebook , and I think the color there is far more representative of the painting. This piece is $1499, a total deal for the giant serving of joy it will bring, and that price includes shipping inside the US (I also ship worldwide for a small fee) - inquiries may always come  to me . Sal joined our family over the weekend. He came via a rescue organization and we know nothing about his past except that whoever it was who dumped him lost out big. He's a dear rat terrier mix with the brightest eyes and a wiggle butt who goes from 100mph to stop at the sign of a lap. Or a cookie. Didn't take him long to hit my easel, and I think his portrait sits as a great example of what I could do with your dog..... just think about it, then reach out if it's something you think you want to pursue! T...

"Andy," image approximately 5" x 6-1/2" roughly centered on a 9" x 12" bristol board, acrylics, commissioned portrait of a border collie-lab mix. This is one of the last painted sketches I have left to complete. I also managed to get some work done on a couple larger floral pieces. I am preparing a project and samples to submit to this year's ArtPrize. Send me good vibes (or a straight jacket - am I crazy to be painting a 5 foot square canvas?!) Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Abby," image approximately 5" x 5-1/2" roughly centered on a 9" x 12" bristol board, acrylics, commissioned portrait of a Catahoula-mixed breed dog. Abby's painting was one of the limited number of painted sketches I accepted in February - I have a few left to do still. These works on paper are so much fun to do. And do you see that I squeezed in a couple violets (flowers) here?  Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

We're going to call this one "Blackie," so as to protect those who might know his/her real identity. Because Christmas is on the line here. "Blackie" is a 6" x 8" portrait, obviously a black dog, perhaps a lab mix, done in acrylics on a museum quality panel. And shortly, Blackie will be shipped, then wrapped and tucked away until Christmas morning. Blackie is the last of my holiday commissions - which means the pressure is mostly off. I say MOSTLY because I still have "13" to finish - a 30" x 40" exhibition piece that is due December 22nd.  But meanwhile I'm playing with ink lines and color and curved canvases . Because one of my superpowers is procrastination. Thanks for your interest in my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Bodhi," 12" x 9", acrylics on copper panel, depicting the perfect gentleman in repose, $849. Paintings on copper are exquisitely different when seen in person, and Bodhi's is no exception. Exposed bits of the surface are an active part of the composition, changing in value and offering reflective luminescence as the light moves across the painting. In this case, the majority of the exposed copper is around Bodhi's face, giving his princely expression a little more pizazz. I wish you could see it in person!  All inquiries may  come to me . Bam. Badda Boom. Badda Boom. Signed this puppy (can't quite believe it came off my brushes!), and now I'm off to a friend's exhibition opening. Bring on the weekend! Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Warmly, Kim  

IN PROCESS: "Bodhi," 12" x 9", acrylics on copper panel, depicting the perfect gentleman in repose. Paintings on copper are exquisitely different when seen in person. Exposed bits of the surface are an active part of the composition, changing in value and offering reflective luminescence as the viewer/light moves across the painting. Here's a little video  of an earlier stage of the piece. All inquiries may  come to me . I've been looking at a lot of art lately, all sorts of varieties and timeframes. I am endlessly fascinated by the fact that historically we work with the same tools (paint, brushes, etc) and yet make such vastly different pieces. It's incredibly inspiring, and after a study session, I sometimes subconsciously place bits of different artists' styles in my own work. Like Bodhi's painting, it has the same sort of feel as Ingres' Odalisque ..... but brushwork a la Karin Jurick . I wonder if th...

"Ball Hog (Harley)," 9" x 12," acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a very lucky mixed breed dog. This painting has a home, but I could possibly create something similar starring your dog, so  please inquire .  A Surprise A's family had been hounding her for a dog for a very, very long time. And I bet you can tell already where this story is going - she resisted, also for a very, very long time. And then this Momma dog was rescued - she had a litter of brand new pups under a mattress in Detroit, during one of the coldest winters we've known. And this Momma dog and her puppies ended up in foster care with one of A's friends. You know where this is going right? It goes without saying - one of the puppies won over A's heart, and that of her family, too. Meet Harley. A lucky girl to have had her life turned around from an unlikely and frozen beginning. She spent last week vacationing with A's fami...

"Jack," a painted sketch, roughly 5" x 8" centered on a 9" x 12" mixed media paper, acrylics, private collection (THANK YOU!). As always, inquires may always come directly  to me .  What's a Painted Sketch? I offer these once a year or so, in limited quantities. The price point is lower than one of my commissioned panels, but honestly they take nearly as much work, with the same prep and lead in tasks and the larger investment of time mounting, wrapping and shipping. But I love the freedom that comes with being able to sit and draw and really connect with my materials. And I know many in my collector base appreciate the opportunity to get an original work of art at a perfect price for gift giving.   I start with a non flash, copyright free photo, measure out a small space in the center of my page, and start a contour drawing in pencil (with panels, I jump straight to the paint). A box/frame gets added around the face, and...

"Silly Old Dog," 11" x 14", acrylics on panel, depicting Gracie, our neighbor's lab mix. This painting is done in Golden acrylics on an Ampersand gessobord and can be yours for $599, including s&h within the contiguous US. In process photos are on the Studio FB page . pARTy details are here . Inquires may come directly to me .  Let's Make a Habit of pARTy-ing Zevon's pARTy was well attended  (and is still ongoing until the end of this month!). I got so many great compliments about the opportunity, that I decided to host another! If you are new to the concept, it's simple - someone shares the rights to one of their photographs, and challenges creatives to make artwork inspired by the photo. All of the work is then displayed collectively, for the whole world to see the variety of interpretations and possibilities resulting from the one image. I've chosen my neighbor's dog Gracie as our next pARTy guest. The...

"Silly Old Girl" 11" x 14", acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a my neighbor's sweet old girl, Gracie May. This painting can be yours for $599, which includes s&h inside the US. And in case you didn't see them, in process photos are here  . Inquires may come directly to me .  'll admit it, I spent a good amount of this morning sitting on the couch, mesmerized by the falling snow. Not sure it it was because of it's insane beauty, or because I couldn't believe it's STILL snowing, but it is what it is, and i will own that. Meanwhile, later in the day, after catching up on email (which may or may not have been done in pajamas, via my ipad, from the couch, while the snow fell), I started this new piece, inspired by Gracie, a muse of 10+ years. You see, after having coffee and other goodies yesterday morning at her house, she played this coy game when I got up to leave. She didn't want to have to get up ...

In process image of "Zen Dog," 36" x 14", acrylics on panel, depicting Zevon, a friend's newly rescued family member. This is Golden acrylics on a Raymar panel and will be available when finished for $2999, including s&h within the contiguous US (and yes, I apologize, but there is glare on this image, which is what happens when one photographs at 10pm). In process photos are on the Studio FB page . Inquires may come directly to me .  Before I committed to daily painting (in October 2006), I specialized in larger than life pet portraits and animal paintings. How I loved to work on a piece where I could use the gesture of my entire body to make a mark - it was a dance, just me and my painting and the brush/ The commitment of daily painting limited my ability to continue to work at this scale, but I also thoroughly enjoyed immersing in a new composition each day, and thusly kept myself busy for years without missing things too much. ...