Paintings With Soul

"Ursula and Daisy," 18" x 24", acrylics on cradeled Ampersand gessobord, commissioned portrait of canine sisters, private collection (Thank  you!). Ask nicely if you would like one of these portraits starring your pet  (and yes, I offer gift certificates for holiday gift giving). I've Been Working on These Two For a Couple Days You can see in process photos here . I am especially fond of the soft edge work. It amplifies the tenderness between the dogs. And despite the lack of variety in values, there is plenty of interest in the planes. Many thanks to those who have joined in celebrating my Derby Artist gig! I am delighted to share this honor with all of you - I'll share more info tomorrow on how you can follow along with my journey to the first Saturday in May. Thanks for following along with my artwork, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

  Keelie, commissioned portrait of a Sheltie, done in acrylics on paper, image roughly 5" x 5" centered on a 9" x 12" paper. Private collection (THANK YOU!)     Below you can see Keelie and her brother Keenan, the Shelti duo captured in paint.   Thanks so much for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

  Keenan, commissioned portrait of a Sheltie, done in acrylics on paper, image roughly 5" x 5" centered on a 9" x 12" paper. Private collection (THANK YOU!)     Keenan is one half of a pair of shelties I sketched today - his older sister Keelie will be shared with you tomorrow.   Thanks so much for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

  "Toby," sketch done in acrylic on bristol board, approximately 4" x 6" roughly centered on a 9" x 12" page, depiciting a Sheltie, commissioned and in a private collection (THANK YOU!).     I came into the studio in my jammies this morning and started sketching. It's been productive, going directly to the easel instead of the computer. My brain wasn't yet weighed down with a to do list - maybe this is the new routine I'm searching for.   If you want a commissioned sketch like Toby's, they are only available until the end of this year.   Don't know what the difference is between a sketch and a portrait?   A sketch is a small study, done with very loose brushwork, often enclosed in a rectangular form like the above piece. It is done on paper, and carries a generous margin on all sides.   A portrait comes in a variety of sizes and are done on museum quality panels. Portraits carry far m...

      "Toby"," 8" x 10", commissioned dog portrait of a Sheltie, private collection (THANK YOU!)!!   In process pics of Toby can be found on  the studio Facebook page , along with links to other things I deem interesting. Stuff like other artists, beautiful artwork, exhibitions, books, process specific, the business of art, inspirations and music.   Inquiries about getting a portrait similar to Toby's starring your own companion can come  to me  - I am nearly booked full for the holidays, but I am happy to put together a personalized gift certificate!   Fondly, Kim, who's delighted to have power and internet and kids who went to school today, and is praying for all those who are not as fortunate. No kidding, peeps, I hope you are all safe and warm and dry and not at risk for losing any of those things. ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    

"Traveller," 6" x 8", Golden Open acrylics on panel, commissioned pet portrait of a Sheltie, private collection (THANK YOU!). Trav's portrait will be joining that of his "sister" Sassy , who I painted on Friday. I've got a busy month coming up - well, I guess, when are my days NOT busy? But this one is especially packed - I have Lake Orion's Dog Days of Summer coming up this Saturday (I'll have a booth packed with lots of art for you to browse through!). Not sure if I'll be set up at the Orion Art Center or in Children's Park, but since they are within spitting distance of each other it isn't really that big of a deal. There is a Creative Journalling workshop this coming Sunday at Little Monsters Toy Store (sorry, this one's got a wait list). I am flying to Mutt Lynch Winery in California next weekend for the unveiling of their "Rusty" muttitage wine. While enjoying their Dog Days event , I'll also be bookin...

"Traveller," 6" x 8", Golden Open acrylics on panel, commissioned pet portrait of a Sheltie, private collection (THANK YOU!). Trav's portrait will be joining that of his "sister" Sassy , who I painted on Friday. I've got a busy month coming up - well, I guess, when are my days NOT busy? But this one is especially packed - I have Lake Orion's Dog Days of Summer coming up this Saturday (I'll have a booth packed with lots of art for you to browse through!). Not sure if I'll be set up at the Orion Art Center or in Children's Park, but since they are within spitting distance of each other it isn't really that big of a deal. There is a Creative Journalling workshop this coming Sunday at Little Monsters Toy Store (sorry, this one's got a wait list). I am flying to Mutt Lynch Winery in California next weekend for the unveiling of their "Rusty" muttitage wine. While enjoying their Dog Days event , I'll also be bookin...

"Sassy," 6" x 8", Golden Open acrylics on panel, commissioned pet portrait, private collection (THANK YOU!). Inquiries (seriously, it is NOT too early to begin thinking of holiday gift-giving - portraits start at $29 and my calendar is already filling) may always come to me . Tonight the 50th Annual Thumb Area Artists Exhibition opened. This is a show, a great tradition, that the Romeo Guild of Art puts on every year for artists working in Southeastern Michigan. RGA members coordinate the exhibition space, put out a call for entries, hire a juror, recruit sponsorship (we awarded over $1000 in prizes tonight!), handle all the press and facilitate a grand opening party. There's lots of other tasks that go on behind the scenes - it is a tremendous amount of work, putting such an event together. This was my 3rd year being an intrinsic part of the show committee, and while it is hard work, it is also incredibly rewarding. Of course, being out of the studio for al...

"Shelby," 6" x 8", commissioned Sheltie portrait of a beloved and missed friend, acrylic on canvasboard, private collection (thank you!). Inquiries may always come to me . Shelby was in his senior years when adopted by my clients. He graced them with his presence for only a short time, but that time was drenched with love. 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 - 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 Years covers 2008. Information on how to order each book is on the Painting a Dog a Day blog and the studio website .

"Cody," 8" square, commissioned pet portrait of a blue merle sheltie, private collection (THANK YOU!). As always, inquiries, including how you can get your own Dog-a-Day painting, may come to me .   I painted today in a deep fog, I suspect complicated by the lethal combination of cold medicine and a hearty mashed potato overdose. Cody, with his great markings, was the perfect antidote.   I'm ready for a serious nap right now.   But I'll be back tomorrow, with a new painting. Thanks as always for sharing these portraits and following along! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com www.turtledovedesigns.com

"Susie Sheltie," 6" square, pet portrait of a Sheltie, acrylic on board, $249. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. Susie is the other "make-up" portrait that goes along with Bubbles (from Sat). Susie made the cut because of the tremendous effort her current family put forth to rescue her. Susie was starving, matted and terrified, bandoned in an industrial area near an international airport. It took a crew of volunteers several hours in inclement weather to crate Susie, after which she was taken immediately under the wing of one family and whisked into veterinarian care. Never daunted, the man who instigated all this (ironically, Susie bit him during the dramatic rescue) brought her without hesitation into his home and family, where she is now a beautiful and devoted companion. After Susie joined their family, they also became involved in Sheltie rescue, where they now assist with transports, opened their hearts and home to animals needi...

"That Sheltie Glow," 4" x 8", Shetland Sheepdog pet portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, $165 to the first buyer. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. Remember a few weeks back, when I asked for photos of specific breeds? I was looking for Shetland Sheepdogs, among a few other breeds. Another artist and sheltie afficianado sent me photos of her gorgeous boy Skye, and the above painting was born. Thank you, Heather! I love the color in this piece, which will be incorporated into a collage I'm building of multiple dog breeds (stay tuned!). But the original painting will go to the first taker, and it's a gem. Here's a shout out for pictures of French Bulldogs and Pugs. Photos must be taken without a flash in order for me to paint from them. Submitting photos means I could create artwork from them, so please keep this in mind and send only photos you have personally taken (and yes, you will get first dibs on any resulting paintings)....

"Double Trouble (Max and Jake)," 8" x 16", sheltie dog portraits , acrylic on canvasboard. I haven't yet heard from my client, so there is always the possibility that this piece could be available. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Max and Jake's family is involved in rescue and fostering, similar to yesterday's story. My client told me that "....once bitten by Sheltie Fever, you only want more!" That's quite a motto! (and one that will make my husband steer clear of shelties - he's constantly paranoid that I'm looking for ways to sneak animals into the fold.) Proceeds from the sale of this painting will go to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Mention Best Friends at the time that you book your dog-a-day portrait, and 10% of your purchase will be donated to their fund. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with your friends and famil...