Paintings With Soul

I took an online class on painting boldly and wildly in February, using florals as my subject matter. It kinda rocked my world. Some of my classwork is here,  class information from the uber talented Lynn Whipple is here . Prior to this, if you had told me I would EVER enjoy painting florals, I would have laughed in your face. And if a similar conversation did play out between us, I apologize.  I am loving painting flowers, cannot stop as a matter of fact, and am offering the first from my new series called "Hybrid Blooms." In these paintings you will find all sorts of blooms, realistic and fantastical, along with some unexpected guests. I imagine these paintings inside playrooms, nurseries, offices, and any space populated by a sense of humor. Let me know if you are interested in any of them, or if you would like to see a certain combination. Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com ...

From 1988 (yes, I know I am dating myself), a slab built bisque fired pot with slip decoration, completed during my undergraduate studies at Michigan State University. At the time I made this, I was seeking my voice. Little did I know that I was always a painter - now it seems so incredibly obvious! I approached everything, even photography, this way. Trying to capture a trace of the object upon the surface of whatever I was working with. Building a dimensional space inside the confines of mark making. At the time I created this pot (which, unfortunately, exploded during the bisque firing and never received a final glaze - you can see my feeble attempts at gluing it back together on the bottom edge), I knew I saw and experienced things differently that others, but didn't fully understand what that meant. Today I had the distinct privilege of returning to my alma mater and telling the BFA and MFA candidates as much. I did a number of studio visits and ...

"Easter Brunch," 9" x 12", acrylics and mixed media (pencil, charcoal, pastels) on museum quality panel, depicting a lop eared bunny and a tasty assortment of blooms, $549 (with complimentary s&h inside the US) to the first asking nicely . Easter Brunch is an older painting I freshened up with florals. The online class I'm taking is still ongoing, and I'm learning so much about layering marks and staying loose - I love learning and playing with my tools! Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Daisy," 10" x 16", acrylics on masonite with white charcoal details, depicting a tuxedo kitten peeking from behind an arrangement of daisies, $579 (with complimentary s&h inside the US) to the first asking nicely . I've pulled a number of paintings from my archives, and am dressing them up with florals. Daisy used to be Mum's Kitten , and I absolutely LOVE the depth and added interest the piece now has. Take a peek at the detail below - the painterly quality of the surface is mouthwatering. At least to me! Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Domino and Roses," 7-1/2" x 12", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a tender little b&w kitten perched among an arrangement of roses, $449 (with complimentary s&h inside the US) to the first asking nicely . I worked on my daughter's portrait today, starting to paint in the florals that will make up her crown (who am I fooling, it's a petal filled brain explosion). And then I pulled out this old painting , drawing roses in overtop. The drawing begged for paint and some more adjustments. And now, what was old, is new again. And would make a gorgeous Mother's Day gift for that kitty loving Mom. (I loved him before, but I love him even more after this upgrade!) Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

Both very much in process, above an untitled (and larger than life) portrait of The Princess, 36" x 48" (gallery stretched canvas), and below, a life sized self portrait, 18" x 24" (panel). Multi media paintings, my own personal collection. While cleaning out the fish bowl yesterday, I realized that it would make a great vase (started one of those too, with goldfish in the bowl and swimming amongst the roses!), and then began thinking of other non-traditional containers for flowers. That was when my head exploded, which I tried to paint. And I was up most of the night working on it. Then I made Anna my next victim. I have mostly thought of painting florals the last couple weeks. I cannot turn my brain off - it is constantly going, even when I'm not at my easel. I'm really going to have to reel things in soon and paint a couple of dogs!! Meanwhile, the pieces are piling up from the online class I'm taking - I need a bigg...

I'm taking a little break between commissions today, and thought I would try to combine my recent flower studies with a dog portrait. There's so much potential with this process! I have all sorts of ideas as to how I want to take the flowers/loose and bold painting approach and integrate it into my own style. The above piece is 12" x 16", acrylics with pastel accents on a museum quality panel. It can be yours for $399 - there's only one original, and the first one asking nicely gets it! Email me . Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

It's magical, isn't it? Like the first snow every year. "Nita's Bliss," 18" x 24" on a cradeled panel, done in acrylics on an ampersand gessoboard, heading to her new home next week. A detail of this painting is below - it's luscious in every possible way. You may order reproductions of Nita's Bliss here:   Please let me know if you would like something similar starring your own dog. Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

Currently untitled, this in process piece features Nita, one of my favorite muses. It's a commissioned portrait of her playing in the snow, one of her favorite pasttimes (as you well know from this painting Snow Much Fun ). This piece is 18" x 24" on a cradeled panel and already has a home (thank you very much!). Please let me know if you would like something similar starring your own dog. I'm taking an online flower painting class, and the techniques we are using, with lots of drips and dribbles and direct blending, are absolutely perfect for the underpainting of Nita's newest portrait. The approach gives a lovely otherworldly glow and there's some fabulous texture here that will be beautiful when sanded down a little. I love my job, getting to create this sort of thing for my family of collectors! Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim

Pictured above are a few of the paintings I've completed as coursework this week in Lynn Whipple 's Big Bold Blooms Wild Painting  online workshop. For reference, the larger piece on the ground is 24" x 30". I'm working big, and bold, and a little wild! I learn so much when I take classes from other artists. Besides the obvious content, I get to see how others' teach and how they structure their lessons. And then I get to continue to learn by practicing the lessons on my own, inserting my own ideas and agenda, and determining which processes are keepers. I really need to reel myself in, though, this time around. I am so inspired by Lynn and the exercises (working with neutrals and layered drawings), my brain is going on fast forward, piecing together all sort of possibilities. I couldn't even sleep last night (yes, I know I am OCD). In between all of the above, I did some complete some serious work on a commission. But I also need to...

"Present," 12" x 19", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a solid and gentle giant draft horse. He's walking away from the viewer, but his ear is rotated, and he's paying careful attention. This original painting will be a stunning focal point where ever it gets hung.. It is $600 with complimentary shipping inside the US.  Can I ship it to your home? let me know . Allowing the paint to drip, run and bleed (like I did in the bottom half of the painting) gives a spontaneous quality to the composition. Just one of the many ideas that I'm working on collectively - it's like a bomb has gone off in the studio, with all the drawings, sketchbooks, panels and stretched canvases piled about. Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Butterfly," 9" x 12", acrylics on museum quality panel, accented with gold leaf, depicting a lively and delicate little filly in a sea of analogous spring-like color. This personality packed original painting is $649, with complimentary shipping inside the US.  Can I ship it to your home? let me know . Butterfly might look familiar - she's gone through several incarnations over the last 18 months. Some paintings take longer than others to be seen to fruition, and often I recognize that a piece isn't complete, but I don't know exactly what it needs. So I have to just be patient. Meanwhile, back at the homefront, another snow day and another sick day (poor Princess). Everyone else is working night shifts, so I escaped earlier for some fresh air. I loaded up on new reads at the library. Stopped for an armload of fresh flowers. Also bought cookies and a case of wine. It could be a long weekend. And they are predicting more snow for us n...

"Dapples," 11" x 16", acrylics on museum quality panel, accented with gold leaf, depicting a dappled gray Arabian. This stunning original painting is $999, with complimentary shipping inside the US.  Can I ship it to your home? let me know . Lots and lots of snow here, which means no school, no carpools, no errands. Just music and books and painting. This is my kind of life! (until we run out of cookies, then things will get a little desperate). Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Three views of the same painting, lit from the left, the center and the right. "Neptune," 9" x 12", acrylics on copper panel, depicting a dark bay pony. This portrait is $849, with complimentary shipping inside the US.  Let me know if you want Neptune in your home and we will make it happen! It's difficult to photograph copper so that you get a proper sense of the light and reflective quality. I'm figuring things out here, though, so that I can best show these paintings off. I am also working on getting back into the groove after a period of not feeling well and some downright ugly starts on other pieces. With Neptune I think I might be scratching and clawing my way back. Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Louie," 9" x 12", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a baby donkey with a new lease on life (keep reading!). This portrait is $539, with complimentary shipping inside the US, and 50% of the sale will go to Louie's rescue Lucky A Ranch.   Let me know if you want to adopt his painting (let Lucky A Ranch know if you want to adopt the real Louie!). Louie's Mom Peanut was rescued from a kill pen by Lucky A. They knew she was pregnant, but were told she had several months before delivery. Peanut and two other donkeys arrived at their new home late in the evening the following day. Two days - not two months! - later, Peanut delivered Louie, a perfect little 4 legged delight. He arrived in the midst of an Arizona cold spell, and was outfitted with a darling warm zig-zagged blanket to help him better weather the temperatures. Proceeds from the sale of this painting will support Lucky A Ranch in their continued rescue efforts.  Special...

FINISHED! "Stepping Out," 14" x 18", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a black Gypsy Vanner horse. I couldn't be happier with this piece - the color and movement and edge treatment fills me with joy. This is a special piece, I think one of my best to date, and, as such, it needs a special home.  Let me know if you think that's yours. $1299 includes complimentary shipping inside the US. This fills me with happiness - celebrating the things I love by making beauty. Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

In process, "Stepping Out," 14" x 18", acrylics on museum quality panel, painting of a black Gypsy Vanner horse. I am trying out a couple new-to-me things with this panel, and so far I am very much in love with it, although the outer legs still need some shifting/adjusting. My intention is for this to be a color-blasted dark horse on a lovely harmonious ground - it'll be all about contrast, unexpected color and movement. If you are interested in purchasing this piece when finished, please let me know so I can send you an update and detail shots when it is finished. I don't want to jinx us by bragging that no one is home sick in bed any longer, so I won't mention it. Hope nobody is sick in your household, too. This year's flu is a nasty houseguest indeed. It sure is nice to be upright and pushing paint again! Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

"Find Grace" (above) and "Just Breathe" (below), both 14" x 17", acrylics on bristol board, both in private collections. I call these mantra paintings - I start with a simple text, scrawled in giant letters on the page, and then I begin to layer marks and doodles overtop until I can pick out shapes and forms. This process is a visual meditation exercise that keeps me centered (I also do mantra paintings with not-so-nice text underneath - it's all about working through one's emotions). Valentines Day is a time to celebrate every facet of love. Which means I get to celebrate all of you.  I love your connection with my artwork and creative endeavors.  I love your commitment to your families - including 4-legged members. I love your huge hearts and all the compassionate causes they support. I love that I get to share my studio days with each of you, going on nearly 10 years now. I love that so very many o...

"Oliver," image approximately 5-1/2" square roughly centered on a 9" x 12" bristol board, acrylics, commissioned portrait of a black French Bulldog. Oliver has a home (thank you very much!), but I do have a few remaining spots for painted sketches similar to his available - details on reserving your spot are below. Email me . Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

ABOVE, Detail of "Rusty," 18" x 24", acrylics on museum quality panel, a commissioned portrait of a yellow labrador retriever in the snow. Scroll below for a complete view along with some other, tighter detail shots - the painting is dense with subtlety and nuance. Rusty has a home (thank you so much) - but I am currently accepting a few commissions, so please email  if you are interested in talking about a custom project. I am very grateful to my collectors who gave me total artistic license to create using Rusty as muse. It feels like a collaboration of sorts - their trust and belief fueled me to push boundaries like never before. It's a remarkable sort of partnership. Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com