Paintings With Soul

"Millie," 10" x 20", acrylics on a Raymar panel, portrait of an Old English Sheepdog, private collection (thank you!). Let me know if you would like one of these portraits starring your pet  (and yes, I offer gift certificates for holiday gift giving). It's time to make the donuts. Or rather, stuff the turkey! I'm signing out to go play in the kitchen and fill our home with good smells. Hoping you are able to do the same - and if you don't enjoy cooking, then I hope that you are able to go sit in someone's home who does and benefit from their efforts!! Happy Thanksgiving! Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Curtain Call, 12" x 1", portrait of a pair of kitties, done in acrylics on a museum quality panel. Warm, warm thanks to Dog a Day fan EW for her laughable series of photos that inspired this painting. $599 to the first  asking nicely . NOTE: Thanks to all who submitted title suggestions for this painting! I think you done good!! Wow, but did I have a blast reading all your title suggestions for  yesterday's painting !! Between FB comments and direct emails, I had well over 200 entries! It was tough picking a winner - congratulations go to Laura Williams for her suggestion "Fiddlesticks." So let's do this again, shall we?  suggestions for today's painting can come to Facebook . If the volume is at all like yesterday's, I can't possibly respond to them all, but know that I'm reading them with a smile on my face and a box of Girl Scout cookies at hand.  And while you are there, you can see the  in-process pics ...

    Another cozy image for a winter month - guess I have napping on my mind!   Sorry for the delay in sharing the March calendar - I jetted off to Florida and neglected to add the file to my website, something I can only do from home.   I had sunshine on the brain!!!   To implement this month's desktop calendar, simply download the file  directly from my website . I've set up a couple different ways to do this, either via the photo album or a direct link.   I am by no means an expert on the variety of operating systems, so I highly recommend that if you don't know how to change your desktop wallpaper, don't email me for advice. Instead consult your computer's help files - they will be more concise, more knowledgeable and more responsive than I could ever hope to be.    I've sized this to fit a standard screen height of 768 - I realize there are lots of variables that could im...

"Gator," 16" x 20", the latest Water Dog painting starring a golden retriever and a once-still body of water, acrylic on museum quality panel, available to the first asking nicely.  Let me know  if you are interested, and I will arrange for you to see a less-blurry jpg (I only packed my cell phone for this trip, and you all know how hard it is for me to take a non-blurry photo with my phone!!). SOLD. This is the painting I created in the lobby of the  Grand Bohemian Hotel  on Saturday evening. It was a fabulous nite spent meeting new fans and friends and working alongside  Elizabeth . At the tail end of the night, she and I were treated to a tour of  Mr Kessler's art collection , and I got a little teary eyed over  Egon Schiele's  sketches. Huge warm thanks go out to Debbie at the Kessler Gallery for putting this remarkable evening together for us both. As always, there are a mess of photos on the  studio...

      "Tilly," 5" x 7", commissioned portrait of a terrier, done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, private collection (THANK YOU!).   Don't those eyebrows just drive you crazy with love?   Stay warm this weekend, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    

      "Do Not Disturb," 6" x 12", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting the tiniest Santini, da Vinci. This painting will go to the first one asking nicely - $369. You can  say "pretty please" via email.   I started this one yesterday, but many interruptions stretched things out over two days. Not the most ideal situation - I like to get into a groove and just let the paint flow until I'm done - but I always say it's important to step out of one's comfort zone and persevere.   In process pics of Vinnie's latest painting are  here .   And a special shout out to Facebook fan Bernadette Leigh who came up with the perfect title for this one.   If you want to talk about commissioning something extra special -  email me . I love to talk about this sort of stuff. Fondly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    

    "Barry," 8" square, commissioned portrait of a beloved Chihuahua, done in acrylics on a museum quailty panel. This painting is sold (THANK YOU!), but  email me  and we can talk about creating one for you.   Additional views are posted inside the  Mobile Uploads  folder on  the studio Facebook page .     Due to popular demand I created a yearly planner peppered with Painting a Dog a Day images, some of my favorites from the last 18 months. It's available  here , along with a complete preview (in case you are wondering if your favorite painting is included).   Thanks for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com      

    "Nest," 12" square, done in acrylics on a museum quailty 1/12" cradeled panel (image painted around all four sides), portrait of da Vinci, the newest Santini family member. Inquiries may come  to me .   Additional views are posted inside the  Mobile Uploads  folder on  the studio Facebook page .         And yes, I do accept payment plans! Every year I choose a word that best encapsulates the sort of growth I'm aiming for the next 12 months. Past words have been Savor, Focus and Listen.   This year my word is Be.   That's it. Just Be.    Be in the moment, be authentic, be silly, be compassionate. Whatever the situation calls for, be it with my entire soul.   It won't always be pretty, but it most certainly will be human. What's your resolution? Kim, who started her year of BEing by practicing at being a student - ...

    And into the holiday season we rush..... but stop! Wait a minute - get yourself a cup of tea and sit and simmer. Savor all the delights that the end of the year brings - music, tastes, rituals. Enjoy some down time for yourself - make that your gift!   And Nita, well, she'll fetch snowballs anytime!!   To implement this month's desktop calendar, simply download the file  directly from my website . I've set up a couple different ways to do this, either via the photo album or a direct link.   I am by no means an expert on the variety of operating systems, so I highly recommend that if you don't know how to change your desktop wallpaper, don't email me for advice. Instead consult your computer's help files - they will be more concise, more knowledgeable and more responsive than I could ever hope to be.    I've sized this to fit a standard screen height of 768 - I realize there are lots of variables tha...