Paintings With Soul

"Oliver," image approximately 5-1/2" square roughly centered on a 9" x 12" bristol board, acrylics, commissioned portrait of a black French Bulldog. Oliver has a home (thank you very much!), but I do have a few remaining spots for painted sketches similar to his available - details on reserving your spot are below. Email me . Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Betty," painted sketch approximately 4" wide, roughly centered on a 9" x 12" paper, depicting a sweet little Yorkie, private collection (THANK YOU).  View Other Recent Sketches I can't put it off any longer. The Princess's summer vacation starts in 1-1/2 days. And while I'd like to swath her in lots of loose layers, summer temperatures have finally arrived.  Which means I get to go swim suit shopping. Today. Do you know how difficult it is to find age appropriate beach wear for a 13 year old? Here's hoping the stars are aligned. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim PS Not sure who this embarrasses more - her or me, but she's one bra size smaller than her mother. At 13. Ouch.

"Andre," 7" x 10", ink on multimedia artboard, commissioned Boxer portrait, private collection (THANK YOU!). This is another holiday gift that will be headed home shortly. Andre's health took an unexpected turn for the worst last week, and my collector asked if I could put together a portrait in time for the holidays. We got to talking about the concept and this sweet lug of a boy, and I realized that an ink drawing would be the perfect touch. I used to do these ink drawings all the time when I was a teenager. They are such a great exercise in reducing your subject to values - darks and lights - and are a nice way to deliver an intimate depiction. I hadn't done one in years, and thoroughly enjoyed myself this morning. I like the contrast between the delicate lines and the big ole dog, too. Let's hope that Andre remains comfortable through the next few weeks and blesses his family with one more holiday. My fingers and toes are crossed for them all. ...

FROM THE LEFT: "Airedale I" and "Airedale II," each image approximately 8" square on a 9" piece of Multimedia Artboard, done in Golden Open Acrylics, painted sketches of two Airedales, $95 each. Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me . I enjoy doing partner paintings - these two are intended to "look" at each other. The connected horizon line and similar colors further link the portraits. This is the first diptych I've paintd on the Multimedia Artboard - I like how this surface allows me to build up loose blocks of color and glaze. It's the perfect surface for my painted sketches. I'd love to do some more of these and explore other breeds, maybe even incorporate collaged elements. What do you think? Thanks, as always, for looking at - and sharing - my artwork and musings with your friends and family. Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com...

"Bull," 8" x 7" sketch, done in Golden Open Acrylics on multimedia artboard, private collection (THANK YOU!). Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, sketches starting at $29) may always come to me . Bull is also a gift, so if you know his family, please keep this hush hush. We don't want to ruin the surprise. A special welcome to the new Dog a Day readers who have wandered over from the Daily Painter's site - glad to have you here!! I try to create 4-5 new pet portraits each week, and share a little bit about my subjects or my process or whatever seems pressing at the moment. Welcome to the club! However, that said, I'm punching out for the remainder of the week. Please don't take offense - my brother is getting married (and I cannot wait to gather with my extended family to celebrate a new sister)! Then on Sunday I have my first Creative Journalling workshop session - 12 students ready to put pen to paper and express themselves, w...

FROM TOP, CLOCKWISE: "Clo (Black Rabbit) Sketch I," 6" square, $49; "Lily (White Rabbit) Sketch I," 6" square, $49; and "Lily (White Rabbit) Sketch II," 3" x 6", $39. All done in watersoluble pencil and watercolor crayons on multimedia artboard. Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me . Sketches (like the above ones) start at $29, finished paintings at $209. I wasn't feeling well yesterday, and didn't get into the studio today until mid afternoon. However, it was the perfect opportunity to take my materials outside and study the bunnies a bit. Drawing from life has become a key part of my creative growth. I fought it for a loooong time, preferring to work with photographs (of animals). That stubbornness held me back from really understanding qualities of light and reflection. There are so many nuances my eye sees w...

"Boxer Pup (Painted Sketch)," paper 4" x 5", image approximately 3" x 4", acrylic on multimedia artboard, $39 plus s&h. Multimedia artboard is a museum quality sturdy as all heck paper that accepts paint and graphite and a mess of other abuse beautifully. I've been playing around with it and am very impressed - so much so, that it is my new surface of choice, in addition to the Ampersand Gessobords. And, the multimedia artboard allows me to offer a lower price point on portraits and commissioned pieces. I'm calling these new paintings "Painted Sketches," and they will start at $29 plus s&h for a 4" square. You can see from the little Boxer pup above, the Painted Sketches are lovely loose paintings that equally embrace the materials and the animal's personality. They aren't as detailed or polished as my other works, and will require framing (and protection under glass), but they carry a unique charm and character al...