Paintings With Soul

  "Cayenne," painted sketch of a beautiful Vizsla. The image is approximately 3" x 6" and roughly centered on an 6" x 10" piece of multimedia artists' board. You can add Cayenne - who comes housebroken, by the way - to your collection for a mere $69.   Inspired by photos taken at  Mutt Lynch Winery  in Healdsburg California last summer.    Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   Tools of the Trade   Sure, I could tuck my brushes in empty tin cans, but I am a sucker for pretty things. And when those pretty things come from a good friend, that means I have a small piece of her keeping me company in the studio.   Besides, I'd be insane not to roll out a Red Carpet Welcome for Mr and Mrs Turtle (pronounced "Tur-Dell"). You should have heard the gossip they were sharing today!! It was outrageous!      

  "Parker," commissioned painted sketch of a most gorgeous and wonderful shepherd. The image is approximately 4" x 5" and roughly centered on an 10" x 8" piece of multimedia artists' board.    Now Parker is  Evey's  sister. Like most shepherds, she has a lot to say all of the time. Which might be how Evie learned to speak her mind, now that I think about it......   In progress pics of both  Evey  and Parker's portraits are on the studio Facebook page . They both were completed yesterday, so you may have to scroll through some updates to find them.   Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com PS I anticipate being booked through the holidays by the end of this weekend. If you are considering a portrait, please  speak up now  so that I can squeeze you in now or place your project on a cancellation wait list. And don't fret - all's not lost - I also do gift certificates, w...

  "Evey," commissioned painted sketch of a mixed breed sweetheart. The image is approximately 5" x 4" roughly centered on an 10" x 8" piece of multimedia artists' board.    According to her Mom, Evey is 1/2 Rottweiler, 1/4 Border Collie, and a smidgen of who knows what else.  She is insanely smart and has mastered a wealth of tricks.   For instance, she knows if she's going to the park by little cues - which shoes her Mom puts on, for example. And if she really wants to go to the park, she noses the right pair of shoes.   I love a dog who speaks her mind!   Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    

"Penny Peach," 8" x 12", portrait of a rescued terrier mix, done in acrylic on panel. I believe this painting is spoken for, but if you would like dibs or something similar, please  email me . SOLD (thank you!) You saw the beginnings of her furry little face yesterday, and I raced into the studio to finish up today. You can see in process photos of Penny's portrait via updates on  the studio Facebook page . Penny's is the latest to join my  Gratitude Project , where I'm painting rescued animals and highlighting the joy and love they are so eager to give. The Santa Cruz SPCA in California, the shelter that matched Penny to her current family, will receive a nice donation when this painting sells. Do you know of a Gratitude muse? Send non-flash pics  my way , and they just might end up in a painting!! Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com The Happiness Project I am just starting to ...

  Yes, I know this one is a wee bit blurry...... the painting is still on my easel, and I shot this closeup with my smartphone.   This is a detail of the newest Dog a Day muse, little Miss Penny Peach. She's new to her family (rescued 6 weeks ago), too! And the latest addition to The Gratutude Series of paintings. And an entry in the Canine Art Guild's Helping Paws Online Exhibition.   Geez. That's a lot of pressure on this little one!! And she's still smiling!   You can see today's work on Penny's portrait via updates on  the studio Facebook page .   Tomorrow I'll buckle down and get her finished.   But meanwhile, I still have some thawing to do after cheering on The Caped Crusader and his teammates at their final football game of the season. I think a heating pad, some red wine, a kitten, and a good book should do the trick.   (I just got  The Happiness Project  from the library - has anyone else read it?)   Thanks, ...

  "Dagan," 4" x 6", commissioned portrait of my favorite kind of kitty to paint - calico! -  acrylic on panel, private collection (THANK YOU!).   Actually, I can't really say that calicos are my actual favorites, because I also totally dig on painting black cats. And all the stripes in tabbys are so much fun. And white kitties that aren't really white - they are pink and yellows and lavenders. And then there are seal points and tuxedos and multi-toed and manxes (love those tailless butts) and .....   Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   Commissions & Inquiries   I always accept commissions - it's just a matter of how far out I am scheduled.   As of this posting, I am booking daily portraits for early December of this year. My cutoff date for holiday gifts is December 15th.    But never fear! If you want to gift a portrait and my calendar is full, may I suggest a gif...

"Marley," 6" square, commissioned black cat painting, acrylic on panel, private collection (THANK YOU!). Marley is going to make one heck of a Christmas gift!! His painting, that is. The real Marley wouldn't go so well for sitting still under the tree all wrapped up.... What's been going on in the studio? Lots of book work - fact checking, proofing and design Prepping paintings to go to an exhibition Fielding inquiries and emails (see sidebar) Editing an article for publication Breaking into the Halloween candy stash (but don't tell the kids!) Hope you have a spectacular weekend!! Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Commissions & Inquiries I always accept commissions - it's just a matter of how far out I am scheduled. As of this posting, I am booking daily portraits for early December of this year. My cutoff date for holiday gifts is December 15th.  But never fear! If ...

  "Chanel," a commissioned painted sketch, image approximately 3-1/2" x 6" and roughly centered on an 8" x 10" multimedia artboard, acrylics on paper, private collection (THANK YOU!). It's been a loooong day, and I still have over 100 emails to get through. Tis the season, and I thrive on this sort of stuff!!   Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com      

  I never saw a purple cow. I never hope to see one. But I can tell you anyhow I'd rather see than be one.  -Gelette Burgess   "I Never Saw A Purple Cow," acrylic painting on panel, inspired by a photograph taken by  Douglas Nelson  (and used with his permission, thank you Doug !!), 6" square, $299 to the first one  asking nicely .   Actually, I totally want to be the purple cow. Because that cow creates wonder and makes others smile.    Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com     Using Photo References   Because the animals I paint rarely hold their poses long enough in the studio and leave a HUGE mess behind, I rely on photographs for the bulk of my work.   But that doesn't mean that I copy the photos religiously. Nor does it mean I can't take artistic liberties. I freely move things about, taking the essence of the photograph and turning it in...

      "Wrigley," a commissioned portrait and painted sketch of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. The image is approximately 5-1/2" x 3", roughly centered on an 8" x 10" piece of multimedia artists paper, and shortly headed out to his new home (THANK YOU!).   HOWEVER - this one is an intended Christmas gift - there can't be that many CBRs names Wrigley, so if you know him/his family, "mums" the word, ok? Otherwise, you'll get me in big trouble!!   There are a few pre-holiday commissioned spots left - if you act quickly, I can schedule your gift giving on my calendar. Just  let me know , as I am not a mind-reader!! I love to paint friendly, gregarious dogs as though they are dripping with color. It suites their likenesses very well, don't you think?   Last week I added a few new colors to my palette,** and Wrigley's luscious, wet coat gave me the perfect excuse to play with all of them. My new favorite has to be Medium Magenta...

      "Little Man Mirk," a painted sketch, of a rescued corgi mix. This image is approximately 4" or so, roughly centered on a piece of multimedia artists paper. I think this piece is sold, but if you are interested,  let me know !!   I've got lots of emails to answer today, so will keep this post short and sweet, just like our little man above.   Happy weekend!!   Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    

  ORDER NOTECARDS/REPRODUCTIONS HERE     "Sigh," from  "The Gratitude Series," ** 10" x 6-1/2", portrait of a silvery Great Dane Pup, done in Golden Open Acrylics on a Raymar panel, $449. And since the muse for this painting hailed from  Ohio Great Dane Rescue , proceeds from the sale of this painting will benefit them. Inquiries may come  to moi .   I had an entirely different concept when I set up to paint today. I wanted the pup smaller on the canvas, with her entire body draped sveltly across the painting. But each time I blocked her in, she wanted to be bigger. I'd rub her out and start over, and every time she returned, she was flowing over the edges.   So I stopped fighting, and just let her be.   This will be another of my entries for this year's Canine Art Guild's "Helping Paws: All Creatures Great and Small" exhibition. This is an online show that supports animal welfare through the artists' philanthropy (each ...

      I've been teaching journalling classes to kids for about 5 years now. We meet on alternate weekends in the back room at  Little Monsters Toy Store  (in downtown Lake Orion).   Not every child is comfortable expressing themselves with strict verbage or writing a la old fashioned diary-style. And many others, while interested in art, are intimidated by the idea of keeping a sketchbook.   But give them a blank book, some basic supplies and take all the rules away: ask them to create pages that include what they see in their head and what they experience around them, introduce basic art concepts and theory disguised as experimentation, and just get out of their way. Quickly.   The above is a spread from our last creative journalling session, where we painted with markers. We experimented with a variety of brands and worked on wet, dry and damp pages. We dribbled with paintbrushes, slopped and splattered, and even pushed the color about...