Paintings With Soul

At left, "Arianna (Songbird 4)," and at right "Tina (Songbird #1)," each 8x8x3/4 cradeled panel, acrylics and graphite, no need to frame, varnished and ready to fly into your home. $279 plus $20 s&h. Returning collectors receive 10% off. I accept paypel, venmo and payment plans. Inquiries may always come  to me . I'm thinking of these birds, now, and how they might relate to other paintings. Using the bird as an entry point for a painting, inviting the you into the dream itself.  Or perhaps she becomes the presence that brings you back from your dream, back to reality but pleasantly changed from the experience. Regardless, these little gems are evolving into something of their own while simultaneously inspiring and contributing to future ideas. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork journey, Warmly, Kim

"Symbiosis," 24" x 30", acrylics on panel, $899 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. I accept paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Inquiries may come   to me . This is another piece that has been loitering in the studio. At least 4 months or so. It happens to me all the time - an idea materializes, but it's only partially formed. If I wait for it to fully develop, it might fade away in the meanwhile. So I try to paint them as fast as they show up, and take them as far as I can. And then I wait. And while I wait, I beat myself up. "Self," I ask, "why haven't you finished this one? or that one? and did you forget about this one over here too? what's wrong with you? why can't you see what they need? you are pathetic. You know nothing. You are a fraud." Yup. The Fraud Police show up here too. Just in case you thought they only knew your address. Thanks, as always, for following along with my art journey, War...

36" x 48", acrylics on panel, featuring a unicorn hidden inside a rose bush. Don't despair if you can see her right away - just breathe slowly and look closely. This piece is $3599. Inquiries may come  to me . Please and thank you. I usually buy my flowers from the week-old bucket. But not today. This painting was totally worth splurging on the most insanely gorgeous blush roses. Added bonus - they will last a bit longer than I am accustomed to.

"Arctic Roses," 24" x 30", acrylics on panel, featuring a howling white wolf amid a mass of ivory tea roses. This painting is another stunner - I struggled so hard to keep all the color soft and nuanced, and it was super hard (for me!). This one can be yours for $599, including complimentary shipping inside the US (also, as with all my work, payment plans are an option). Inquiries may come  to me . If you follow me on Facebook , you've gotten peeks at some of the other critters in the studio, including a ginormous rhinocerous. Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

Untitled 6" x 14", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a quartet of sheep. $369 will get you these low-maintenance sheeps, including s&h inside the US. No hidden fees, I promise! All inquiries may  come to me . My mind drew a blank today while I was working on the sheep. Or sheeps, depending upon how silly one wants to get. But the bottom line is that these ladies do not have a title. Nor do they have much of a coat, having been recently shorn. You can help me out with title suggestions by commenting over on the studio page  right here . I'll figure out something fun for the winner. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Warmly, Kim  

"Hat Trick," 8" x 11", acrylics on panel depicting a magical white rabbit. The inspiration photo for this painting came from the archives at www.PaintMyPhoto.ning.com . Hat Trick needs a home - just $439 will get him to your doorstep (inside the contiguous US). Inquiries may come directly to me . In process photos  here (thank you for peeking!). ORDER NOTECARDS/TOTES/BEDDING/PILLOWS/CELLPHONE CASES The Weekend? Already? Yes, that is a lament, for real. Because I feel as though I'm onto something with these new paintings. My brain is leapfrogging through them and making connections and spooling off a mess of new ideas, and it doesn't slow down, not even at night (I've been painting in my sleep, too).  And this week, today, ends my post-Derby buffer zone. I scheduled a generous no commission timeframe so that I could roll with whatever inspiration or ideas hit me immediately after my Kentucky Derby experience.  I think...

"Polar," 8" x 8", Golden acrylics on an Ampersand Gessobord, still life painting depicting an old stuffed polar bear on a white ground. Polar can be yours for $399, which includes shipping and handling inside the continental US - inquiries may come  to me . Please and thank you! Look Again - White isn't White. You've heard me say it before.  And to prove my point, I'll share a little exercise I do with my students. Take a white object (Starbucks cup, coffee mug, etc) and set it on your kitchen table. Observe how the apparent color of that white object shifts - it reflects the light around it, including whatever color your kitchen table is. Now take a bright tea towel or tshirt, and place it under the white object. See how that object changes again? This happens with everything in our world - it absorbs and reflects the color of everything around it (including the color of the light). The object is st...

"Meg," 6"x8", acrylics on museum quality panel, a commissioned portrait of a little Maltese who is loving her second chance at life, private collection (THANK YOU!).  And but of course I can paint like this for you - just ask! . Meg was adopted into her new home last fall. She joined two older brothers, and didn't take long at all to leave her pawprint on her new Mom's heart. Who knows what her previous circumstances were? She is timid and remains fearful of men, but she knows how to snuggle and love on those who are kind. And that's pretty much how the rest of her life is going to play out! Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim

"Nabu," 24"x24", acrylics on museum quality panel, a larger than life commissioned portrait of a border collie, private collection (THANK YOU!).  I can do something similar and work from your photos - just ask! Ok, so the kids are back in school and also back en force with their afterschool activities. This means I have the luxury of regular studio days and larger blocks of time to paint! and to market, and to do paperwork, and to clean, and to volunteer. And to fully enjoy the fine art of the 2nd Breakfast . What is your fall routine? Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim PS In process photos are   here.  

My bedroom door proudly displays "The End of The Day," a 16" x 20" glorious and peaceful equine painting, complete with the most perfect framing job ever courtesy of Accent on Art (Lake Orion, Michigan).  This painting can grace your bedroom door or any wall in your home for $899 -  just ask nicely . When I've thrown my heart into a painting, I want a framing job that is exemplary. And that's what I get every time I take my work to Diana and DJ at Accent on Art . For this one, DJ floated the painting overtop a shallow linen lined box, and Diana finished off with a beautifully detailed gilt frame with carvings matching the delicate curls in the mare's tail.   This says exquisite on every possible level. And it makes me happy. Very happy.   Let it make you happy too - "The End of the Day" is currently available, and payment plans are accepted. Email me to make it yours.   Thanks, as always, for following along with...

"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

ABOVE, detail of "Ice (Luna III)," BELOW, full version, 12" x 7-3/4", acrylics on a cradeled museum quality panel, the newest installation in The Luna Series, a study of black and white, $499. In process photos here . I don't think this painting is going to last long -  inquiries may come to me . I want to do a few more paintings of Luna, but am far from done with my exploration of black and white. Which means I am casting for additional black and white muses. The ideal muse will have interesting markings and texture along with an expressive face. Nominations may come to me via email  with the subject line "Black and White" - include 2-3 non-flash photos that you have taken where your black and white nominee makes up at least 1/3 of the photo.  PLEASE NOTE: Nominating individuals are under no obligation to purchase resulting artwork. By submitting photos, nominating individual is guaranteeing they are both the photog...

"Pinky" and "Blu", bunnies done in acrylic on bristol board, each original painting measuring 9" x 12". I'm going to tweak these two a bit more and then offer reproductions (notecards and/or prints on canvas/paper/acrylic/metal) starting at $50. There will also be smartphone cases - I promise to share order details tomorrow after I take care of one more tweak...... Meanwhile, inquiries/special requests may always come  to me .   Wouldn't these be fabulous in a nursery or playroom?     I was driving and otherwise distracted by some yechy looking weather blowing in, when the most wonderful idea smacked me upside the head.   Why not sketch animals overtop patterns, like what I did with  the dolls last week ? But take it a step further and paint my own patterns?   That idea sure got me through errands lickety spilt!   When do you get your best ideas? Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

    "Double Dribble," from the "Play Ball" series, 8" square, portrait of a Cairn Terrier, acrylics on museum quality panel, $399 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may come to me  - please and thank you!   For a limited time (until Thursday, July 4th), prints of "Double Dribble" are available through  my FineArtAmerica storefront .   In process photos are on  Facebook .   Meanwhile, if you want to see your dog translated to paint, send pics of him/her playing ball  to me! ! (I gotta put in the legal stuff - pics must have been taken by you and by submitting photos you are transferring rights to me only for creating derivative work from said photos and guaranteeing that such rights are yours to transfer.)   Thanks for supporting my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   PSST , I have all sorts of other images available as reproductions, too,  take a peek  - ...

"Ball?," 12" x 12", portrait of a youthful Nita, a golden retriever (reference photo to the left), done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, $599 to the first asking nicely. Which you can do  via email . SOLD This one was painted and shared online - lots of photos are on  the studio Facebook page . Which provides those of you with questions about my process the opportunity to jump in and ask. Including how you can take Nita home. Yes, I do payment plans. I take credit cards via Paypal. I ship all over the world. And there will be prints made of this painting once the original sells. And she's more spectacular in person than on the computer! Thanks for following along, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

  "Beamer," 6" x 6", commissioned portrait of a ridiculously cute mixed breed stinker, acrylics on museum quality panel, private collection (THANK YOU!!).   Want a pet portrait of your own? What are you waiting for?  email me !   In process pics of Beamer's portrait are on  the studio Facebook page  - and thanks to my new iPhone, I can create separate photo albums for the paintings, making it easier for you (moving forward) to locate the in process pics of a specific piece!! Yeah for iPhones!!   Thanks so much for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   Last Chance to Order!!     This poster was created specifically to benefit the dancers at  Broadway Dance Studio  (where The Princess studies), and it features a beautiful full color reproduction of my painting " Dress Rehearsal ." Proceeds from poster sales are earmarked for the team's trip t...

  "Steffi," 5" x 7", commissioned portrait of a much loved and dearly missed Westie, acrylics on museum quality panel, private collection (THANK YOU!!). Inquiries may always come   to me .     Who would have thought the ratty doll I picked up at a flea market would elicit such great conversation?!   Does art HAVE to be comfortable or easy to look at?   Why are dolls creepy for so many and yet for others the keystone to a sentimental memory?   How does scale impact our comfort zone with respect to certain objects?   And most importantly, is she an evil talisman or just a sweet little thing?   Please chime in!   And she needs a title, too. I'm drawing a complete and total blank. She must be sucking my brains out in my sleep......   Thanks so much for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   This poster was created specif...

    ABOVE:  "Wooley," 4" x 6", acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a fuzzy warm sheep, $239 to the first one asking nicely.   BELOW: "We Three," 5" x 8", acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting three sheep sporting lovely lavender wool coats, $299 to the first one asking nicely.   Or if you must, take them both for $500 and I'll cover (domestic) shipping.   Inquiries  via email , please and thank you!       Still keeping the gray winter duldrums away via playing with color. In process pics can be found on  the studio's Facebook page .   Fondly,  Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

    "Baby Baa," 5" x 6", acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a spring-fresh lamb, $239 to the first one asking nicely.  Via email  please and thank you! SOLD.     I'm working on three sheep paintings simultaneously - this one just happened to get finished first. In process pics of my easel and these pieces can be found on  the studio's Facebook page .   Spring WILL come! Fondly,  Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

  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 .