Paintings With Soul

"ROY G. BIV," from the Theresa's Rainbow series, 32" x 16", depicting a pit bull rescue, acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, $999. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Yes, Theresa's back again. This is a painting inspired by the 8 smaller 8" pieces I did a few weeks ago. I wanted to be able to exhibit the Theresa's Rainbow Series, but had a challenge. Several of the smaller paintings had sold, which broke up the integrity of the group. I couldn't exhibit the giclee, because most spaces will hang only originals. That left me one other choice. To paint an entirely new compilation, all 8 images together, on one stretched canvas. I've been burning the midnight oil (quite literally) all week long to get it done in time for a show. This time I wasn't worried so much about getting a strict likeness - I concentrated more on edges and the balance of color/shapes/values across the painting's entire surface. This is a piece best viewe...

"Pigtails," another yorkie painting to follow up yesterday's, this one complete with leash and little girl, 12" square, acrylic on board, $539. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . I just finished the best book, "The Art of Racing the Rain" by Garth Stein. I mention it because the main character, Enzo, is a terribly wise and philosophical dog, one you can't help but connect with. I especially loved the bit where Enzo "blacked out" while dismembering a room full of stuffed animals - and then pointed the blame somewhere else. It also was highly entertaining when he intentionally pooped on his evil in-laws expensive oriental rug (sorry, Mom and Dad - you most certainly are not evil in-laws, nor do I intend to suggest that). If you can pick the book up, I do recommend it, even though it's a bit Hollywoodish at the end, it is a wholly satisfying read. Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing the Dog-a-Day paintings with your frie...

ARTIST's NOTE 10-1-08: This painting has been framed and exhibited, with great success. The selling price reflects both the custom framing and the piece's history. "Yorkie in the Grass," 12" square, Yorkshire Terrier dog portrait , acrylic on board, $599. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SALE PENDING Today was mostly spent at the computer, finessing a database I built to handle the entries for the Romeo Guild of Art's 48th Annual Thumb Area Artist's Exhibition (at Starkweather Gallery in Romeo, Michigan). Entries will be dropped off Saturday, and I needed to have all my ducks in a row for the weekend's jurying. Knowing I would be desk-bound for the bulk of the day, I asked my 7 year old daughter over Raisin Bran if she would paint today's dog-a-day for me. Initially she was thrilled, but then got distracted doing her own thing, playing with sidewalk chalk, taking Finnigan for a looooong walk, re-packing her back-to-school supplies fo...

"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...

FROM TOP: "Skylar (Powderpuff Crested)," 6" x 8"; "Square Skylar (Powderpuff Crested)," 6" square. Both commissioned dog portraits, acrylic on canvasboard, headed to a private collection (THANK YOU!). The sale of Skylar's portraits will include a donation made to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Inquiries may always come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Skylar lost his playmate, a borzoi, at a tender age. He was so lonely, that his mother rescued another Powderpuff to keep him company. And then she rescued a Chinese Crested. She is now involved in rescue and foster care, all because of this sweet boy and the other souls that he brought into her home. If you have a special dog who deserves to be profiled in the Painting a Dog a Day project, please send your story and photos to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . I am currently schuduling portraits for November 2009. Mention Best Friends Animal Sanctuary ( http://www.bestfriends.org/ ) at the time of...

Ok, because I went to the Tigers game yesterday with the kids, and then spent today running around like a headless chicken, I thought I would spend this evening with a glass of wine, and post views of my tent at last weekend's Dog Days event. The Lake Orion's Dog Days party happens every August. The village shops hold sidewalk sales the week prior, and it's all capped off with a Saturday of dog-oriented events, including a blessing of the dogs, a dog parade through town, numerous contests (this year Finnigan won Best Singing Dog for his rendition of "Happy Birthday") and a collection of vendor displays around the Orion Art Center, all capped off with the crowning of the 2008 Doggie Mayor. Since the dawn of Lake Orion's Dog Day's, I've donated a portrait to the Doggie Mayor. This year I am thrilled for the opportunity to paint Ruby - stay tuned for her painting, which will surface as a dog-a-day portrait in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, I'm off for a...

"Sydney Loo," 4" x 8", commissioned pet portrait , mixed breed in acrylic on board, private collection (THANK YOU!!). This portrait deserves to be seen up close. The violets and purples in Sydney's face are loose and yummy and best appreciated in person. I am very happy with the way the brushwork sculpts her form - that's something I've been working on. Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with your friends and family! See you tomorrow, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/

"Sweet Pea," 8" square, commissioned basset hound dog portrait , acrylic on board, $229. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Don't just you adore the swing to her ear?! If anyone knows of a family who rescues senior dogs and perhaps had a basset many moons ago like this sweet girl, please forward this email to them. I was commissioned to paint Sweet Pea oh-so-many-months-ago, but the email address I have for my client is no longer valid. I'll hold this painting for 2 weeks, and then it goes to the first taker. Do I see any hands?! Which brings up a great point. Since I'm asking those of you who are waiting for a dog-a-day portrait to stand in line for what seems like an eternity and then some, please please please do your best to keep me up to date with your contact information. I would love snail addresses. Otherwise, should your email change, just let me know..... Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with your friends a...

Theresa's Rainbow Series, top row, from left: "Pink, ( SOLD )" "Red ( SOLD )," "Orange," "Yellow;" second row, from left: "Green," "Blue ( SOLD )," Indigo ( SOLD )," and "Violet." Each pit bull portrait is acrylic on board, measures 8" x 8", and is priced individually. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Also available, limited edition giclees (only 25 copies each!) in two different sizes. Giclees match the attached image, including all 8 paintings. Small giclee on artist's paper, image size approximately 12" x 6", signed in pencil, $49 plus $15 s&h. Large giclee on artist's paper, image size approximately 24" x 12", signed in pencil, $99 plus $15 s&h. Again, inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Proceeds from the sales of these paintings and giclees are earmarked for Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab Utah ( http://www.b...

"Orange (from Theresa's Rainbow series)," 8" square, pit bull portrait in acrylic on board. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Some days you just keep moving forward. This was one of those days. This morning I received a phone call from a dear friend that she had put her wonderful dog to sleep. Dinah and Amos haunted my every step - it hit so close to my heart, having lost Miah just a few short months ago, and knowing that their relationship was so very much like ours. And then another dear friend (I do have too many to count, for which I am ever so grateful) informed me of last minute travel plans, heading cross country to help her ailing father. It seems very shallow or empty to throw a daily painting into the world amongst all this, but move forward we must. While remembering those who made our paths passable, whether they first offered a hand to toddling legs, or simply steadied us with their mere presence in times of need. So, with that I give you an...

"Pink (from Theresa's Rainbow)," 8" square, pit bull portrait, in acrylic on canvasboard. Purchase information to follow (see below), but inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. I've got 8 new Theresa's Rainbow paintings completed, of which the above image is just one. I will share the paintings with you bit by bit, as I work out the logistics of how to best manage the collection. But I can honestly say I don't think I've enjoyed painting a dog this much before. But I also was able to completely immerse myself in Theresa's joy de vivre for days on end, so in the process I learned to love her as though she were my own. Right now I can tell you that there will be 2 limited editions of 25 giclees available, identical in design, differing in size only. The giclee will include 8 square images, "Pink," Red," "Orange," "Yellow," Green," "Blue," "Indigo," and "Violet...

"Many Faces," 18" x 22', original acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, collection of the American Kennel Club and design of the 2007 AKC/Eukanaba National Championship Dog Show Poster. A limited number of signed posters remains available through the AKC gift shop ( http://www.akc.org/ ) and Margot's Gallery (Oxford, MI, 248-628-5398). Would you like to submit photos of your dog to be included in the Painting a Dog a Day project? Would you like the subsequent painting to be part of a collage, similar to the one that received first place in the 2007 AKC/Eukanaba National Championship Dog Show Poster contest ? I am working on my design for the 2008 poster competition, and need the following breeds: Rottweilers Shetland Sheepdogs Papillons French Bulldogs If you are interested in submitting your dog for considerataion, please send me digital images of photos you have taken (very important point). Photos must be taken in natural light (no flash photography), with the do...

"The Mornings First Bird (Bart)," 4" x 6", acrylic painting depiting a vizsla in the field, $139. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . I've got a nice little stack of Theresa paintings going on (see July 25th Dog-a-Day posting: http://paintingadogaday.blogspot.com/2008/07/wanna-play-theresa-from-theresas.html ). When they are completed (I'm hoping by the end of this week), I'll post the "Theresa's Rainbow" paintings to the blog. I spent the weekend plein air painting in oils, working on a piece for (Romeo Michigan's) Starkweather Gallery's Moonflowers Exhibition, which opens this Saturday (you can call the gallery for more information - 586-752-5700). And I'm prepping my booth for Lake Orion's Dog Day's event, which is also this Saturday in downtown Lake Orion (for more information, please call 248-693-9742). Once again, I'm donating a portrait for the newly elected Doggy Mayor, and will have my booth set u...

"I Smell It!", 6" x 12", depiction of a vizsla dog in the field, acrylic painting on board, $239. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Another version of Bart. This one reminded me of frosty mornings spent with my father, watching the dogs rustle up a bird or two. I'm been wallowing in memories lately - take a peek at my two newest gallery stretched linen pieces, derivatives of the "Tags, Toys & Treasures" series, which I've posted on my studio blog: http://www.ksantini.blogspot.com/ . Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with your friends and family. Kim

"Ears to Grow Into (Bart)," 4" x 8", vizsla puppy portrait , acrylic on board, $165. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. Over the next couple days I'll share Bart's paintings that were completed in the last few weeks. When I have multiple excellent references, because I simply cannot choose one, I do a whole mess of paintings. My client has chosen her favorite, and now it's your turn! Work is progressing nicely on the Theresa paintings, by the way. As is the editing and design layout of the Painting a Dog a Day book. Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with your friends and family. Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/

"Wanna Play? (Theresa)," from "Theresa's Rainbow" series, 6" x 8", pit bull dog portrait , acrylic on board, inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . ARTIST'S NOTE: Whoops!! I reversed my reference photo, but didn't think to then also reverse Theresa's markings..... I'll have to paint another version of this pose, and keep that in mind as I work on the other paintings..... A HUGE thank you to the Theresa fan who pointed this out to me!! Meet Theresa. She is a current resident of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kenab, Utah. You can read more about her at http://network.bestfriends.org/News/PostDetail.aspx?np=18523&archiveurl=/News/ArchiveList.aspx?month=9&year=2007&gu=lodgedogs&pg=1 . My client introduced Theresa, her ball and matching bandanna to me, and I fell in love. After the wheels got to turning, the one proposed painting multiplied into almost a dozen. After all, how could I choose which ball to include...

"Lifeguard on Duty (Peanut)," 16" x 20", terrier dog portrait in acrylic on board, $659. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. This is a much larger than usual dog-a-day painting . Technically it isn't even really one, given that I've been picking away at it, off and on, since early May, and the typical dog-a-day painting is completed in one sitting. But often l start a piece with lofty intentions, and then recognize I can't carry it off without learning a few new things. So I lose momentum and the painting sits, 1/2 completed, waiting patiently for me to muster the courage to finish. Even with lapsed time, patience, and additional miles under my brushes, the imagined painting doesn't always turn out. (By the way, I throw out just as many paintings as I share on this blog.) But those times when things fall into place as I step up to paint the last pass-through, it feels darned good. I'm off for some celebratory oreos and iced tea...

"Bart," 6" x 6", commissioned vizsla dog portrait , acrylic on canvasboard, private collection (THANK YOU!). Bart is one special dog. He recently lost a leg and shoulder due to cancer, yet hasn't slowed down. A friend asked me to squeeze in Bart's portrait as a thank you and pick-me-up for his family, and the reference photos supplied by his breeder (who - small world - is an artist I know and love, and now you will too - http://www.juliebender.com/ ) were breathtaking. I couldn't just do one, I did four. This one has sold (again, THANK YOU!), but the others are still sorting themselves out. I'll share them as the dust settles. Meanwhile, inquiries about your own dog-a-day painting may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . I'm currently booking for October of 2009. Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with your friends and family. Kim www.turtledovedesigns.com

"Pointer Closeup (Hershey)," 5" x 7", german shorthaired pointer dog portrait , $165. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. I've been a little crazed the last few days trying to clean up the mess left by a computer virus. It's not all yet done, but at least I now am semi-functional, which is quite a few steps up from yesterday. I was literally crippled without my laptop, and then I beat myself up for feeling that way. The knowledge of a valid backup did nothing to lessen the stress. I couldn't write checks, prep shipping labels, edit the dog-a-day book, update my ipod, follow watched items on ebay, google simple questions or even look up the weather. I admit it. I am a total computer addict. I need help. Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with your friends and family, Kim

"Squirrel Patrol," 10" x 20", terrier dog portrait , acrylic on board. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . This is Peanut, who I have gotten to paint before ( http://paintingadogaday.blogspot.com/search?q=peanut+terrier ). I fall more in love with him each time I pick up the brushes. My client has patiently waited for me to finish up Peanut's 2 larger paintings (there's another one soaking wet on the easel, 16" x 20") before she makes her choice. I'm wait-listing anyone interested in having a Peanut for themselves - feel free to send a note to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . I hope to have the fourth and final Peanut finished very soon..... I've gotten some nice press via inclusion in Mel Edwards' Votre Vray project. Mel has been interviewing creative women as research for a book/play that she is writing. We had a great chat a few weeks back, and she did a beautiful job summarizing a few of the points we tou...