Paintings With Soul

This is a hard one to hit "send" on. Many of you have been part of this community since Mo joined our family 16 years ago, latching onto to one of The Caped Crusader's hoodie strings at the shelter, then climbing onto his shoulder and refusing to let go. That's how she moved through the world - hooking onto what she wanted, and manifesting it. I am so grateful the kids got to grow up with her sweetness in the household - along with her tenacity. And that she was such a willing muse, as well   We said goodbye to   our little Bug   on Friday. What a treat it was to love on her all these years, although we would’ve gladly taken a few more. She ruled this roost, equally bossing the cattle dog about while curling up with the corgi. She was a beautiful muse and studio companion, the loveliest violet tabby with a penchant for sunshine, watching Animal Cops, sleeping in Sals dog bed (she never budged), and helping tuck the kids in. She loved a good book, voraciously reading a...

In process, "Toile Tabby (Mona Lisa)," 6-1/2" x 6", acrylics on copper panel, portrait of my ever willing studio muse and tabby cat, complete with her air of mystery. When finished, this piece will be $599 to the first asking nicely. As always, inquiries may come to me .  I don't often force myself to take time away from the studio, but did so this weekend. Sometimes one can benefit from shutting down - or trying to shut down - the incessant color mixing/painting/composing/problem solving that goes on in one's head.  In my case, I returned to the studio early this morning - 7am!! - eager get to the easel and a bit more clear headed and focused than I have been as of late. The break (including a massage, reading, knitting, baking, journaling and family time) was good for me. And here I am at 11pm, readying to call it a night. Because when inspiration calls, my brushes are compelled to get to work answering. Thanks for your interest in...

In process detail of "Mona's Nest," 11" x 14", acrylics on museum panel, portrait of my studio muse Mona Lisa, $1259 to the first asking nicely. As always, inquiries may come to me .  When my kids were little, we used to make huge piles of blankets and soft sweaters and snuggle in to read together. I knew they were upset or didn't feel well if they asked to make a nest. It was our first defense in making things right. I wish I could make a nest for everyone in the world who's hurting. There seems to be sadness and strife and terror and loss everywhere I look. I want to make a nest for each person who's heart aches, and tuck them in with a dog eared copy of Hug . Today I did the next best thing. I painted a nest, read my kids' well loved copy of Hug, and visualized comfort radiating out into the world. Thanks for your interest in my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"daVinci," 8" x 10", acrylics on copper, a painting of my devil, err, studio, kitty. daVinci's latest portrait is an exploration of my fascination with copper panels. And, I suppose you could add, a parallel fascination with tabby cats and general feline attitude (I still cannot fathom the appeal of eating the tulle underskirt of a dress, but I guess that's why I hold the paintbrush and he uses the litterbox). This piece, which truly is exquisite in person, is $799, which include s&h inside the US. All inquiries may  come to me . Yesterday one of my students blogged about her sadness that more adults didn't embrace play . That's an idea that resonated with me - so easily we get caught up in seriousness and forget about running in the grass barefoot or lying on our backs looking for shapes in the clouds. It's all about paying bills and getting the laundry done and playing it safe. So my mission today was to find so...

Please paint ME a portrait "Tabby Profile," 5" x 7", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a brown tabby with a wonderful maze of stripes, private collection (THANK YOU!). This weekend was packed full of family time, and as such, I am really behind on email. I'm working my way through, though, and appreciate your patience while I field inquiries with the same care and attention you'll receive. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim

In Process, "Nestled," 30" x 30", acrylics on cradeled birch panel, four different larger than life views of a particularly troublesome kitten (daVinci). This painting is headed to ArtPrize (hopefully) where it will be available for $3,900 to the first one asking nicely. VIEW IN PROCESS PHOTOS Have you heard of ArtPrize ? After only a handful of years, it's become one of the largest art festivals in the world - I was fortunate enough to be an artist in 2012 and to spend a weekend visiting last year. It's pretty inspiring, to say the least. How does it work? Well, artists put together a proposal online. Their work is then matched with a participating venue. The venue hangs and coordinates all the display details, and the artwork is publically on view for the duration of the festival. Entries are juried by a board of curators/peers as well as eligible for popular vote awar...

In process pic of "I'm Not Listening. Wait. Maybe I Am," 11" x 14", acrylics on museum quality panel depicting the one and only Mona Lisa, $599 to the first asking nicely . She WAS sleeping in a shaft of warm sunlight, but when I reached for my camera, I woke her up. She clearly was not pleased. Note that this is the only brush I've used to date on this painting. I like Big Butt Brushes (as we call them in my classes). Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com 

"Into the Light," 10" square, acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting Mona Lisa snuggled into a sliver of light, $499 to the first one emailing . In process photos are here . Mona snuggled in deep and slept soundly on The Caped Crusader's lap last nite, and I knew the image would haunt me until I painted it. Some days you just have to go with the flow - when inspiration strikes, I juggle things about and make the most of it. Next up? After dinner I'm teaching a couple dozen kids how to draw their pets' faces. And tomorrow I paint the Valentine portrait. Thanks for following along with my artwork,  Kim  ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

"Mona Lisa's Rainbow," 7" x 8", casein on museum quality panel, depicting that famous kitty with the elusive smile. I'm not certain that this piece is finished, but anticipate some will be in love with her as is, so set things up on FineArtAmerica (reproductions, notecards and smartphone cases) - order away right here . Meanwhile inquiries may come to moi . I've cut back on commissions so as to actively study and play with my materials. Play is a huge part (for me) of maintaining creative energy, and it's the first thing that gets set aside when my calendar starts to fill. It's important, too, that I continue to challenge myself to grow as an artist. Painting with other artists, exploring new media and approaches, along with continuing to work from life and study light and color, is mandatory. And these are all things set aside if I don't say "no" often enough. Today was a "yes" day f...

"Mona Lisa," 8" x 11" (no that's not a typo!), acrylic on museum quality panel, depicting everyone's favorite muse. Act quickly, because I suspect that this Mona is going to find a home very easily. She's $489 and inquiries may always come  to moi . In process pics of her are  here  and yes, I do set up payment plans -  email me . SOLD For those who are new to my art, Mona Lisa is one of my studio muses. We adopted her two years ago - well, actually, she adopted us, given that she latched onto The Caped Crusader's sleeve when he had his back turned to her crate at the shelter. Mona has inspired many a painting ( here's just a few ), and taught me how to properly appreciate the beauty of the striped feline form.  She's also a fantastic snuggler when I settle down with a book. I hope you have a good snuggler yourself on this cold winter's evening, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Mona Lisa, enjoying some sunshine but keeping an eye out for daVinci, who has a knack for the perfect ambush and happened to be "casually" ambling by. This will be a future painting.   I spend a lot of time in my workshops addressing all the aspects of being an artist that do NOT involve picking up a paintbrush. And while I am a daily painter, and my goal is to paint 5 days a week, that's not always my reality.   For instance, today I - reviewed a contract for upcoming workshop, coordinated revisions, and researched travel arrangements created marketing materials for a local event inventoried materials returning from last workshop, began packing and prepping for Sept classes sorted photos from previous two weeks' of events and archived digitally wrapped and shipped paintings to new homes updated website database fielded approx 150 emails sent hand written thank you notes paid a months' worth of bills began planning for this weeken...

      "Begonia," 10" x 16", acrylics on a museum quality panel, still life of potted plants alongside a sleeping orange tabby, $629. Inquiries can come  via email , thank you very much.   And don't be afraid to ask about our putting together a special painting starring your furry companion.   Thank you for the wonderful response to my call to throw more creativity and beauty into the world ( yesterday ). I think I feel a shift in the balance of positive energy already.   And it's not related to the box of Girl Scout cookies I ate this afternoon, either.   Thanks so much for following my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com     photo courtesy of Diana Ostrand - copyright protected When Diana showed me this pic of her Frieda taking a break from making trouble, she recognized the look in my eyes. I think that's because she's a painter too. I didn't even have to ask (T...

    "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 - ...

  "Maggie Kitten," image approximately 10" x 5" roughly centered on a 12" x 9" piece of bristol board, done in acrylics, depicting little Maggie and her spotted belly, Private collection.   ORDER REPRODUCTIONS/NOTECARDS     I suspect Maggie's painting will quickly become a favorite, so I loaded her up onto  FineArtAmerica,  where you can order reproductions and notecards.   There's lots of other paintings there, too (I have well over 200). I recently added a gallery exclusively for  images new to the site , to make it easier for regular visitors to see what's changed.   And if you don't see what you want, let me know - I'll be happy to add it if I can!   Enjoy your weekend, Kim, who is grateful to have another opportunity this evening to hear the Lake Orion Marching Band play (did you hear they placed 2nd in the State last weekend?!!). Oh yeah, and to watch some excellent high schoo...