Paintings With Soul

"Day One," limited edition giclees on artists' paper, image size approximately 8" x 10" with a generous white margin, $50 each plus $15 s&h. $10 from the sale of each giclee will be donated to Paws With a Cause . Meet Hula, a service dog Momma from Paws With a Cause (Read about the puppy, Mystic, who I painted a second time,  here ). Hula's portrait was an immediate favorite at the time , and in response to numerous requests, I released limited edition giclees.  I have 4 - now 3 -  left of the original 25. (I love this - a collector just purchased one to donate to a Golden Retriever Foundation) Once they are gone, they are gone. You know, that is the whole idea of a "limited edition." Wishing all the Momma Bears out there a beautiful weekend, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com 

"Ike," 5" square, portrait of a Black Lab service dog. This piece was done in Golden Open Acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord, and is not for sale. Inquiries may always come to me . I'm going to leave it to Ike's person to introduce him: "Right from the day I picked him up from PAWS HQ ... he decided I was the one he had to take care of. There was no bonding time... he just decided I was his and he would do whatever I needed whenever I needed it. "We never had to work hard on anything .. we just blended as a team.... He was always ready and almost anticipating my next move before I even knew what it was. He was my heart, my soul, my everything. "I was his world and he opened mine." Ike's crossed the Rainbow Bridge for a while now. It was my extreme honor to give her a little slice of him, this time to stay for good. Thanks so very much for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Will U B My Valentine? I...

"Introducing the V's ( Power Paws )," 11" x 14", Golden Open Acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord, depicting a litter of 10 soon-to-be-assistance-dog puppies. This original painting glows in person - it seems a crime to view it only on the computer - but in an attempt to share the level of detail, I've included a close up below. You can proudly hang "The V's" on your wall and make a donation to the assistance dog organization Power Paw s at the same time. This painting is available for $699 (don't forget that preferred collectors get 10% off their purchases, too). Last week you might recall that I painted another Power Paws puppy Rusty . Rusty's family sent me photos of their newest litter of 4 legged heros, and I got to thinking. How cool would it be to chronicle the life of a service dog through the Dog a Day paintings? It didn't take long for the details to get ironed out (thank you to all involved!!), and here is the first of m...

FROM TOP: "Day One," from March 2008, 11" x 14", and "The Gift," from June 2008, 8" x 10", both acrylic on canvasboard, each in a private collection (THANK YOU!). Mystic (the inspiration behind "The Gift") first came into the studio in 2008 as a precocious pup. Not much more than a golden lump of curls and warmth, she was already on a special journey - that of a service dog. In her first year of life, she was loved on, socialized and taught all sorts of manners before being turned over for additional advanced job training. To her foster family's great delight, she completed her classes despite asserting her independence, and was successfully placed. Their girl was now a companion to a gentleman who relied on her capable assistance to better cope with the health related challenges of his day. Last month, that gentleman called them personally to extend his thanks for Mystic, who's presence has quite literally changed his life....

"Comfy (Amber)," 6" x 8", commissioned portrait of a golden retriever service dog, private collection (THANK YOU!). Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me . I need to make a couple shifts to Amber's portrait, and am working those details out with my client. But meanwhile I wanted to share her almost finished painting with you - it's the perfect image for the tail end of a winter's Monday. Thanks, as always, for looking at - and sharing - my artwork with your friends and family. Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com www.paintingadogaday.com SHOP ORIGINALS & LIMITED EDITION GICLEES: at my Etsy shop ORDER CUSTOMIZED NOTECARDS & REPRODUCTIONS: at Imagekind COMMISSION A PET PORTRAIT: contact me GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE: contact me READING MATERIAL: Preview and order each of the Dog a Day books at the publisher's website: The First Year (2006-2007) ...

"Dazzle," 6" square, Paws with a Cause service dog portrait, acrylic on board, $249 to the first buyer. Proceeds from the sale of this painting will be donated to Paws with a Cause. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. Paws with a Cause is a national group dedicated to providing assistance dogs for people with disabilities. They also provide a lifetime of support, fostering independance. I took this from their mission statement - read more for yourself at http://www.pawswithacause.org/ . In the beginning of the Painting a Dog a Day project I met UKON, a Paws service dog. Shortly after that, I got to paint Madison and Sirius, and the list goes on and on. Each Paws dog I meet is uniquely special, and to personally witness the bond they share with their person is humbling. To support the efforts of Paws with a Cause through my painting sales is phenomenal. I met Dazzle last winter at the Detroit Kennel Club dog show. She was all too eager to go thro...

"BFFs," 8" x 16", Labrador Retriever double dog portrait , acrylic on canvasboard, $449. Proceeds from the sale of this painting will support the service dog organization Paws with a Cause ( http://www.pawswithacause.org/ ). Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . For those of you without a text-crazed teen, "BFF" stands for "Best Friends Forever." This painting depicts Josie with her childhood best friend, Sadie. Josie was raised for a year by a foster family, then turned over to Paws with a Cause so that she could begin her service dog training. Ultimately Josie will make an immeasurable difference in someone's life. But meanwhile Josie's puppyhood was spent romping with Sadie, the girl next door. Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with your friends and family, See you tomorrow, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com www.turtledovedesigns.com

"Big Shoes to Fill," 8" x 10", Paws with a Cause service dog puppy portrait, acrylic on canvasboard, $274. Proceeds from the sale of this painting will go to Paws with a Cause ( http://www.pawswithacause.org/ ). Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Today's painting had many false starts before I finally was able to match what was in my head. What do I do with the ones that don't work? I throw out the really bad paintings and others get wiped down if still wet. There is the misconception that every painting an artist does is good. On a good day, 25% of what I paint is worth keeping, or at the very least, able to be fixed during another session. Thank you to returning collectors Sue Brooks and Ellen Gray, for their purchases of "Izod Puppy" and "Black Lab Profile (Izod)." Thanks, as always, for sharing these paintings with your friends and family members. I really appreciate it, as does Paws with a Cause and the other she...

FROM TOP: "Ready (Izod in Harness)," 4" x 8", black lab service dog portrait, acrylic on canvasboard; "Lab Profile (Izod)," 4" x 6", black lab service dog portrait, acrylic on canvasboard, SOLD . Proceeds from the sale of the above paintings will be donated to Paws with a Cause ( http://www.pawswithacause.org/ ) . Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . You saw him as a pup yesterday, full of promise. Well here is Izod all grown up and in his gear, complete with ruffley collar (this is a guy comfortable with his masculinity!). Izod is an attentive, willing, and honest dog. He is also a hero in his person's eyes, as he helps with her mobility and other everyday tasks. Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with your friends and family. See you tomorrow! Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings http://www.paintingadoga...

"Izod," 5" x 7", portrait of a black lab Paws with a Cause puppy, acrylic on canvasboard, $165. 10% of the purchase of Izod's painting will be donated to Paws with a Cause. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. Without a doubt, Paws with a Cause clients and volunteers are some of the most generous people I have had the pleasure to meet. The clients eagerly share details of how their service dog has enabled them to independantly manage aspects of everyday life that previously posed a challenge. And volunteers talk about their first Paws puppy - inadvertantly how that dog impacted their entire life's perspective during its short stay in their households. You can learn more about Paws with a Cause on their website: http://www.pawswithacause.org/ . I am proud to support their efforts through the Painting a Dog a Day project. Thank you to new collectors (and Paws with a Cause volunteers) Laura Voncina and Julie Steiff for their purchases ...

"The Gift," 8" x 10", pet portrait depicting Mystic, a Paws with a Cause service dog, acrylic on canvasboard, $274. 10% of the sale of this painting will be donated in the purchaser's name to Paws with a Cause ( http://www.pawswithacause.org/ ) . Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. I don't think I can say anything about this painting that it can't say, loudly and clearly, itself. So I'll just be quiet. I have a good variety of works on display throughout the Brandon Township Public Library in Ortonville (Michigan) during the month of June. The collection includes some framed dog-a-day portraits and a number of larger than lifesize gallery stretched canvases. For directions, hours and additional information, you may call the library at 248-627-1460. I am very proud of the latest on-line exhibition sponsored by the Canine Art Guild. You can see a wonderful selection of artists' favorites by viewing the new show at www.ca...

"Black Lab Study (Jackpot)," 6" x 8", Paws With a Cause service dog painting in acrylic on canvasboard, depicting a black labrador retriever, $199 to the first buyer. 20% from the purchase of this painting will be donated to Paws With a Cause ( http://www.pawswithacause.org/ ). Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. I have painted Jackpot before - his initial painting is featured on notecards ( http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/pet_portrait_notecards.html ). At the time I did the first painting, I flagged one of his reference photos to paint at a later date. As you can see, he was - is - far too regal to pass up. I love painting dark animals because of the way the light plays off their fur. Earlier this week you saw a black/dark gray long haired cat where the light picked out orange and lavendar highlights in the fringes of her body. In Jackpot's instance, the light literally carved his skull out from underneath his skin, bleaching the fur to a pal...

ARTISTS NOTE: Giclees are available of this painting. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com "Day One," 11" x 14", Paws With a Cause golden retriever mother and pup portrait, acrylic on canvasboard, painting in process but available for purchase, $399. $80 from the sale of this painting will be donated to Paws With a Cause in the buyer's name. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. Today I am guilty of being terribly overambitious. Who can blame me, though, when handed the reference photo that inspired this painting? This is Hula and her litter of one, Peyton, on their first day, napping in a little shaft of sunlight. And the pose demanded a larger painting. To date I hadn't completed an 11" x 14" as a dog a day piece. Then add in the two dog factor. Also, the reference photo was black and white. That meant I was flying by the seat of my pants when trying to visualize the nuances of wispy feathering, brand new fur, and a soft ...

"Pearl," 5" x 7", yellow lab service dog puppy portrait. SOLD. Pearl was well through Paws training, and on her way towards being a hearing dog, but her allergies precluded that. She now lives with her foster family, works as a therapy dog, and spreads joy wherever she goes. 20% of the sale of Pearl's painting will support Paws With a Cause ( http://www.pawswithacause.org/ ). Yesterday's painting of Luna is available for purchase (my client has requested a smaller version to better match the other dog-a-day pieces already on her wall). Luna's painting is 8" x 10", and priced at $249, with $48 of that purchase price going to Paws With a Cause in the buyer's name. You may view Luna's painting on the Painting a Dog a Day blog ( http://www.paintingadogaday.blogspot.com/ ) under March 5th 2008. Inquiries can always come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . I also have fielded two inquiries/votes for giclees of Luna's painting. If I get 5...

"Luna," 8" x 10", black lab service dog puppy portrait. Like the remainder of the paintings from this week, the proceeds from Luna's painting will be donated to Paws With a Cause ( http://www.pawswithacause.org/ ). Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Luna went off to school, but things didn't work out. She's returned to her foster puppy family, where they are further assessing her skill set and capabilities. Then Luna will be set up with specific training to allow her to accomplish that. In the past, PAWS puppies who cannot live their lives as full-time service dogs have enjoyed a diverse range of jobs: acting as a demo dog for school-visits and other demonstrations, filling in as a "loaner" in instances where the primary service dog has become ill or is unable to work, even completing intensive task specific training such as search and rescue. I have no doubt that Luna's future will be bright - you can see it burning in he...

"Demi," 6" x 8", chocolate lab PAWS service dog portrait, $199 to the first buyer. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . "Larkin," 4" x 6", black lab PAWS service dog portrait. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . I cannot imagine nurturing and loving a puppy for a full year, only to have to give him/her back. But that's what these foster families do. And they cannot wait to do it again, either. Overwhelmingly these individuals/families (even teens - Demi was raised by a teenager!) find comfort in knowing that "their dog" will make a significant difference in someone's life. They say their tearful goodbyes, and begin to look forward, toward the next one and another opportunity. Meanwhile, the foster parents are updated on the progress "their dog" makes in training, and often form friendships with the person who eventually receives "their dog" as a service dog. It's a gift that ...

Welcome to March's Animal Welfare Week! Every month I dedicate the first full week to profiling dogs in need. Periodically I partner with Paws With a Cause and share their stories of triumph. This week I'll be painting service dogs from Paws With a Cause, with a special focus on the individual relationships between the dogs and families who work in tangent. It is well choreographed, so many lives changed for the better on every front. PAWS dogs are bred by PAWS staff, using animals they know to be free of health issues (such as hip dysplasia, behavioural or temperment concerns, etc). Puppies are raised by foster parents, who socialize the dogs and begin basic obedience training. After a year, the youngsters are then turned into headquarters where they begin their lessons at "school." Ultimately each dog completes their own training regimin and is carefully matched to an individual based on the dogs' skills and the individuals' needs. This entire effort is a hu...

"Spirit (Golden Retriever Study)," 8x10, commissioned pet portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, private collection (or so I believe - I haven't heard back from my client yet). Spirit was a gentle, intelligent, loving dog, the sort who seemed to draw people to her with the warmth of her grin and the wagging exhuberance of her tail. She competed in obedience, flyball, agility, and field work, excelling at everything. . She became a Paws With a Cause dog with only 2 weeks of training. Spirit did literally hundreds of programs and presentations for PAWS, introducing the public to the benefits of assistance/service dogs. She worked with prospective clients considering getting their own PAWS dog, and even performed as a PAWS loaner dog for folks in between service dogs of their own. Spirit touched the lives of all who knew her, and is still deeply missed. I hope that my portrait brings back a glimmer of her wise old soul. Thanks, as always, for taking the time to look at my paint...

“Violet,” 6x8, commissioned PAWS service dog portrait depicting a black lab, private collection (THANK YOU!!!) It might seem cliché, but of course, Violet’s portrait had to be Violet. And it started out that way, but slid back into my familiar range of blues. She does have a wonderfully pensive look about her though, one that I was afraid I might lose if I went back into the painting and tried to change things. Violet was headed towards life as a service dog, and then got redirected. She now is a representative of PAWS, making public appearances, and generally serving as an advocate for the organization. Did I say earlier this week what a privilege it is to work with a group like PAWS With a Cause? Please take a couple of minutes to view their site – http://www.pawswithacause.org/ – and learn more about their mission and how they achieve it. Meanwhile, I need to thank a new collector (I’ll keep your name secret, since your painting is a gift!) for their purchase of a painting from my ...

“Thank You (Josie),” 6x8, yellow lab Paws With a Cause foster puppy portrait, $180. $36 from the sale of this painting will be donated to Paws With a Cause (www.pawswithacause.org). Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com (I am waiting to hear back from Josie’s foster mom – she gets first dibs on this painting). Josie is a Paws With a Cause foster puppy who recently graduated from foster care, and began her advanced training. That means her foster family no longer has the joy of her company. Her foster mom shared with me her thoughts and emotions about the year she shared with Josie, and as I read them (all teary eyed, I must warn you), I thought of what sort of reply Josie would have. Hence the title of this painting. I give you the following with Josie’s foster mother’s permission: “….She came to me as a soft, unbelievably cute puppy, warm, sweet and smelling of puppy breath. Within five minutes, she wet on the floor. In the next year, she stole my heart…. Josie and I w...