Paintings With Soul

"Flutterby," 8" x 8" x 2", acrylics on a deeply cradeled museum quality panel, depicting a My Little Pony figurine toy. I grabbed her as an impulse buy while in the checkout lane at Target. Now, after the success of this painting, I want to go back and get more (because I am a hoarder and I have 2 other panels identical to this and think a triptych would be super fun!). This piece is $429, and that includes shipping and handling direct to your US address. Let me know if you want Flutterby for your home! I Finally Figured Yellow Out. And now I've most likely cursed myself by saying so out loud. But here's the thing, just like with any other color, yellow grays out (de-saturates) as it moves away from one's eye. Until today, I didn't see that graying process, I simply read the overall intensity of yellow (generically speaking) and painted that. "Paint what you see, and not what you know." How man...

"Minion," Toy #32, 6" x 6," acrylics on masonite, depicting a little guy borrowed from Gru's army. And this little guy has a new home, too - thank you very much to my returning collector! Is it wrong that I just want to sit on my couch and eat donuts? I'm probably still rebounding from my workshop last week and a killer UTI, but seriously, that's all I want to do.  I tried my typical creative boosts today - a long bath, a walk, a drive, a latte, some chocolate, procrastination, photo reviews, looking at art, reading about art, pinterest, loud music, drawing - but nothing worked.   Let's hope I've got an attitude adjustment by tomorrow!! Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, All my best, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com The 100 Toys Album

Another demo from the workshop, "Sprout" was an example of my stepping out of my own comfort zone (greens terrify me). After all, if I'm asking my students to face their fears, I'd better walk the walk too, right? He's 9x12 or maybe 11x14 - it's been a long day and my brain is a little soggy - acrylics on masonite. And Sprout is heading to a new home, a home where veggies are loved as much as little green toddlers. But, nevertheless, please send your inquiries to me , and thank you so much. The Bar Has Been Raised I've gotta say that this group of painters has gotten me laughing harder than I have in a long time. And today they made me cry, too, you know those so-happy-I'm-feeling-the-love-too sorta tears? We've got one more day together before we all scatter to the winds. Sigh. And for those of you worried about my calorie intake, today included homemade fudge (DM you are The Best!), grilled oysters, fried drum fis...

"Pooh Bear IV," Toy #22, 6" x 6," acrylics on masonite, depicting a tiny plastic Disney Pooh (with a smidge of velcro on his back - he must have been part of a game). This painting is $75, including shipping inside the US. Purchasing is as simple as  asking . SOLD (Thank you SO much!) Sing Along With Me   Winnie the Pooh Winnie the Pooh He's a tubby little cubby  all stuffed with fluff..... There's a reason he keeps showing up on my easel. Thinking I may also need to re-read The Tao of Pooh .  Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, All my best, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com The 100 Toys Album

"Little People Puppy (Toy #10)," 6" x 6," acrylics on masonite, starring a spunky little spaniel with jointed legs made by Fisher Price This painting is $75, with free shipping inside the US. Purchasing is as simple as  asking . I didn't play with this particular version of Little People toys, but I find them very sentimental never the less. They are well designed and charming. I tried to figure out what year Fisher Price made these particular jointed toys which I own (via ebay - I have circus characters too!), but got distracted learning about the history of Little People in general. They have seemingly been around for 50+ years! The Little People barn was a HUGE part of my childhood. The barn doors opened with a "mooooo," but in my head I heard welcoming nickers. Those horses and chickens were real. The brown and orange shag carpeting of my parent's family room became lush rolling pastures of green, and the Little People...

"Barbie I (Toy #9)," 6" x 6," acrylics on masonite, inspired by one of those Barbie mannequin heads designed for little ones to refine their ever critical ponytail and eyeshadow skills. This painting is $75, with free shipping inside the US. Purchasing is as simple as  asking . SOLD (THANK YOU!) I'm Getting Good at Juggling Painting daily toys. Working on new paintings for galleries. Coordinating projects with a few new collectors. Continuing studies/ideas discovered in Stanka Kordic and Lisa Kennedy 's workshops earlier this year. Learning bookbinding and journaling skills with Ingrid Dijkers (one week left!). Sparking creativity during a year long class with Carla Sonheim and Lynn Whipple . Structuring a website revamp. Building my post-Kentucky Derby marketing plans. And these are just a few of what I juggle when I'm wearing my artist-hat. Good thing the juggling superpower comes in handy when wearing my mom-hat...

"Buzz Lightyear (Toy #7)," 6" x 6," acrylics on masonite, a portrait/still life depicting another Buzz Lightyear (also a veteran of my Salvation Army!). This smiley little painting is $75 and includes s&h inside the US. Purchasing is as simple as  asking . This holiday snuck up on me, but I do hope that there's birthday cake and/or fireworks in everyone else's plans for the next couple days!  I'll find a couple hours each day for studio tasks - another joy of being self employed is that the work doesn't get done unless I am buckling down! But I'm looking forward to getting byte sized work things accomplished, and then getting some serious relaxing going on too!! Meanwhile, if you are considering pre-purchasing a toy painting,  let me know via email   Indicate in the body of your message which toy # you would like, choosing from #8 all the way up to #100. I'll confirm the painting is yours, and we will coordin...

"Eeyore II (Toy #5)," 6" x 6," acrylics on masonite, another portrait (or is it a still life?) depicting Disney's Eeyore, salvaged from the stuffed animals bin at the Salvation Army (4 stuffies for a dollar, people!). This painting is $75 and includes s&h inside the US. How can you NOT love the grumpiest of grumps? Bring him home,  and then, I dare you to smile and be joyful around him! SOLD (THANK YOU!) It's Official----- I talked about the "100 Paintings" commitment a couple days ago, and was musing the added benefit of jumping on board the challenge myself. And the more I thought about it, the more sense it made.   I want to improve my ability to paint from life and to build still life setups here in the studio. Doing this in small bites, 100 of them to be exact, seems to be the perfect solution. Plus factor in the bins of toys I have been hoarding (I can't say no to an unloved toy) and I have plen...