Paintings With Soul

"Paco Pug," 8" x 10", Golden acrylics on a Raymar panel. I have seen pics of Paco in my FB photo stream for a loooooong time, as he belongs to fellow daily painter Kelley MacDonald - I was pretty pleased to get to paint him for her today! Paco's portrait is Kelley's, but let me know if you would like something similar for yourself! This is how I love to paint. Layers of loose and gloppy brush strokes. Glorious harmonic color. Just enough light to make me swoon. A face you want to squeeze. In process images are here.   Love Paco? Then get him on a phone case . Or a pillow . Or 48" wide for over your couch . Or send him in the mail to someone needing a smile . Thank you so much! Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork! Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

      Seriously, come paint with me! I'm going to share some of my ideas about color mixing and paint application. And talk for a bit, too, about how artists can use the internet to promote and brand their work.    It's all going down in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, April 18th - 21st. More info here.   I'd love to hang with you!   (And if this workshop doesn't fit your calendar, there'a another one in  Traverse City Michigan  this August and a third one happening in  Springfield Missouri  this September)   Come on, let's throw some paint around together!! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

This delightful drawing was left in my classroom - a gift, perhaps?! - during last week's Fine Arts Night at Orion Oaks Elementary School. I adore kids' artwork. They view and process the world through their own filters. A lesson I need to remind myself of over and over and over again. Thanks for sharing my artwork with your friends and family, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Stuart Shils His work is radically different from mine, landscapes pared almost to abstraction, atmospheric clouds of color that thrill me to no end. I adore the artwork that Stuart Shils creates. A recent article I read quoted him as encouraging artists to study at great length - and then respond to - the world with roots set in an emotional, as opposed to a representational, base. I find regular inspiration and bits of brilliance in his paintings and musings, which can be found on his website .

"Sammy Sumner," 6" square, commissioned portrait of a much loved and dearly missed Pug, done in Golden Open Acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord, private collection (THANK YOU!). In appreciation for my getting to paint Sammy, a donation will be made in his name to my local shelter. Tonight I'm giving a presentation and demonstrating my painting technique at the Anchor Bay Artist's Group monthly meeting in New Baltimore, Michigan. It's always a treat to get to talk shop with a group of like minds, and I am thoroughly looking forward to it. Thankfully, the weather is cooperating as well - one never knows what to expect during Michigan January's! There are tentative plans for tonight's presentation to be followed up by a one night painting workshop on Monday, January 31st (also in New Baltimore, Michigan). Please let me know if you are interested in attending the workshop and I'll pass your information on to those responsible for coordinating the eve...

Pictured above is one of my favorite commissioned portraits from last year. LeeLoo is quite the little diva, all proud of herself and her spanking new collar, and you can just hear her snurgling, her presence is so tangible when standing in front of this painting. LeeLoo's portrait summarizes what I try to do each time I pick up the brush and tackle a new personality. And I've been blessed with the painting quite a few - well over 1000 of them as of last month. So let's keep them coming! As a thank you to the universe for dropping the Painting a Dog a Day project in my lap (ok, there was a lot of elbow grease that went into making it happen, but I still am grateful for the opportunity presenting itself in the first place), I'm going to extend my Preferred Collector pricing to all new portraits booked through the end of this month. All customers, whether repeat offenders or fresh-faced youngsters, will get 10% off commissioned paintings. Wanna book a portrait to c...

"LeeLoo's New Collar," 8" x 10", acrylic on canvasboard commissioned pet portrait of a relatively solid Pug, private collection (well, techinically I'm still waiting for my client's approval). Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me . LeeLoo was so proud of her beautiful new Coach collar, you could just see her preening and working it. I just want to give this girl a good chin scratch. Looks like she could use a nibble of something to eat, too..... Did you notice how, between the shape of the collar and the upper edge of her skull, the composition forms a circle in the middle of the painting? All the boldest color and sharpest edges are contained in this circle, which anchors the focal point and allows the viewer's eyes to rest exactly where they are supposed to. Thanks, as always, for looking at - and sharing - my artwork with your friends and family. K...

"Cosmo (Pug)," 6" square, commissioned Pug portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, private collection (thank you and welcome to the newest Dog a Day collector!). Inquiries may always come to me . Cosmo lives on in his family's hearts and this painting will be sure to trigger many memories. I also think it is, hands down, one of my best ever. It is a great example of what you shouldn't do (his nose is smack dab in the center of the canvas and the composition is a perfect "X"), yet for some unknown reason it just works. Must be Cosmo's magnetism. Thanks, as always, for looking at - and sharing - my artwork with your friends and family. Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com www.paintingadogaday.com PS Want a great gift this holiday season? Then order either one of the Painting a Dog a Day books by November 30th - they are gorgeous summaries of the Dog a Day paintings. Painting a Dog a Day - the First Year covers 2006-2007, and That's 14 in Dog Year...

"I Love Lucy (Andy and Lucy)," 6" x 12", pug portrait, acrylic on board, private collection. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . This piece has been on my easel for three days. More than twice the time of the typical Dog-a-Day painting. I justified that because of the double portrait bit, but really I think I spent a lot more time than usual relishing in the pugs' folds. It was worth it, though. And it'll be even better when this one gets unwrapped. This painting is going to someone special, someone I've been looking forward to painting for for a long time, someone especially appreciative of all things pug. It's been a long time coming, but Happy (belated) Birthday & Merry Christmas, Claire!! If you are considering gifting a Dog-a-Day portrait, please send me a note (ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com). I have a few spaces reserved during the 2009 holiday season for repeat clients. Paintings make great birthday and anniversary gifts, too (I...

"Bubbles the Pug," 4" x 5", pug portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, $184. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. A few weeks back I had two portraits cancel with short notice. I asked Dog-a-Day readers to submit their stories, and from the group I chose a couple faces to paint. It was a tough choice, but Little Miss Bubbles was one of them. Can you see why? That face!! I just love it. And her story, too, of course. When she came into the rescue group, young Bubbles had a mysteriously broken hip. She had it corrected surgically, worked her little curly tail off in rehab, and was fostered for a year until she found her now forever home. Happy endings. That's what I love. Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with your friends and family, Kim

"Yoda Pug," 4" square, pug dog portrait, acrylic on board, $159. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. The only thing cuter than this tiny little portrait is Yoda himself, looking all spiffy in his kerchief, the folds in his forehead sorta matching the stripes in his neckwear. This painting was all done wet-in-wet, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite ways to work (that should lend itse'f well to my continuing efforts in oil paint). Thinking of giving a dog-a-day portrait as a holiday gift? I had a client cancel 2 November slots this afternoon - send your story as to why your friend/family member/significant other deserves a dog-a-day portrait, and the best two tales (tails?!) get the dates. Stories and attachments may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Thanks, as always, for your time in looking at, forwarding, and sharing my artwork with your friends and family. See you tomorrow! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com http://www.paintinga...

"Gracie (Puggle Study)," 6" x 8", commissioned puggle dog portrait , acrylic on board, private collection (THANK YOU!). I've done several tonal pieces lately, and I really enjoy the process of pulling the subject out of a similarly colored ground. It defines subtle variations in harmonic color literally as the painting is built. I first tried this concept when working in a class with all-white still life objects. Those of you who are artists yourself should give this exercise a try - set up a composition of similarly colored objects, tone your painting surface with the middle value, and have at it! Thanks, as alwasy, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with your friends and family, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

“Johnnie Pug,” 6x8, pug portrait in acrylic on canvasboard. Proceeds from the sale of this painting will go to the Pug Rescue Network in Walled Lake, Michigan. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Johnnie is an 8 year old pug who came to the rescue as an owner surrender. He had spinal and neurological issues stemming from a healed injury that went untreated. Thankfully, Johnnie isn’t in any pain, and he’s able to move around like nobody’s business, he just does it in his own unique way. I was captivated by his spunk and fortitude – it’s amazing how sweet these dogs can be. You can read Johnnie’s complete story at the rescue’s website under “Adoption” – http://www.pugrescuenetwork.com/ - and learn the various ways you can help out the rescue (like by donating old bedding and towels for use as dog blankets). If you have adopted a pug from the Pug Rescue Network and commission your own dog-a-day portrait before May 31st, 20% of your sale will be donated to the res...

Today’s painting is of a saluki pup. He’s dramatically lit, with a full range of blues and violets. I love the textural contrast between the silky sheen of his profile and the fringe on that one ear, and would like to paint a similar sort of pose cropped a bit more loosely in a lifesize or larger canvas. “Taku” is a 4x8 canvasboard, and he’s sold to returning collector Maria Cotter (thank you, again, Maria!). Last week Maria sent me digital photos of Taku and Chumba (who you’ll get to meet tomorrow). Getting your own dog-a-day painting is just that easy! Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with friends and family, Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings http://www.paintingadogaday.com/ come. sit. stay. enjoy the art. Founding member of the Canine Art Guild http://www.canineartguild.com/ the gateway to canine art on the web

Today’s little lady is very sweet. An earnest fawn pug, dripping with layers of blue and green glazes. Balanced off with apricots and pinks. (Sometimes computer monitors just do not do justice to subtle layering of colors). I really like this piece – it’s quiet (not at all like a pug’s usual snurgeley demeanor!) and harmonious. Fawn Pug Study, 4x6, $50. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. Thanks as always for looking. And for sharing these paintings with your friends and family. Stay warm today – it’s a cold one (at least here in Michigan!) Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings http://www.paintingadogaday.com/ come. sit. stay. enjoy the art. Founding member of the Canine Art Guild http://www.canineartguild.com/ the gateway to canine art on the web

“Pug Study II,” 4” x 4”, pug dog painting in acrylic on canvasboard, $50. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. Today I revisited a favorite reference photo, one which I painted almost lifesize last winter. You can view the original painting, which is 18” square, at www.turtledovedesigns.com/canine.html - it’s the second one down the page. This smaller version reads dramatically different, both because of the scale and the cropping. And maybe, too, because I've grown as an artist. One can only hope! Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with your friends and family. Hope you are enjoying the season, Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings http://www.paintingadogaday.com/ come. sit. stay. enjoy the art. Founding member of the Canine Art Guild http://www.canineartguild.com/ the gateway to canine art on the web

This is yesterday's painting. Still playing catchup! Pug study, 5x7, dog painting on canvasboard, available for $60 to first buyer. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini www.turtledovedesigns.com distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings