Paintings With Soul

  My studio floor this afternoon, along with 4 in process paintings. The three smaller ones are 12" x 18", the yellowish, larger one is 18" x 24". But these aren't the giant project the subject line of this email refers to. The Giant Project is that the studio is moving in December. And I am so very, very thrilled about it - this new space is bigger than the one I had a couple years back.  Which means that once COVID is through, I will be able to teach again from the comfort of my own space. It also means that I no longer have to contain myself to 120 square feet each day, like I have for the better part of the last 18 years. I do love my current studio and it will be emotional to leave it - I built my business here, started Painting a Dog a Day here, painted my Kentucky Derby official artwork in here, worked at the easel while my kids grew up, literally, around me. But it's time for a new space. I outgrew this years ago, and my basement storage is stretched...

  "Threshold", 12" x 18", acrylics, collage and graphite on paper, $499 + s&h to the first asking nicely. I accept paypal, personal checks and payment plans. Inquiries may always come   to me . This painting makes me SO happy - she's tying together all sorts of things that I've been studying and thinking about lately. And carrying me perfectly into the next deep dive I'm making into patterning. Thanks, as always, for following along on my art journey, Warmly, Kim

  "Orbit", 12" x 18", acrylics, collage and graphite on paper, $499 + s&h to the first asking nicely. I accept paypal, personal checks and payment plans. Inquiries may always come   to me . My brain is tired. The past 5 days have included such a bombardment of critical information, all of which then has to be sifted through to determine actual fact. It was absolute heaven to spend this afternoon unplugged, with my playlist and my palette. And tonite I plan to indulge myself with a good book and a puppy. Hoping you have a ritual to retreat to for peace. Thanks, as always, for following along on my art journey, Warmly, Kim

  "Cosmos", 12" x 16", acrylics, collage and graphite on artboard, sold while still in process, directly off my easel, and now winging her way home. I accept paypal, personal checks and payment plans. Inquiries may always come   to me . I am so grateful to have collectors and followers that welcome and embrace my artwork so enthusiastically. Thank you for that! Of the five new works I've created in the past two weeks, three of them have already found new homes.   Harlequin   and   Prescience   remain available - not because they are any less beautiful than the others, but most likely because they were born alongside peaks in this ceaseless storm surge of news here in the US, where the majority of my collectors and followers reside. I have included images of them below, in case, for whatever reason, you missed their original posts. And meanwhile, I have more pieces in process. I share working images on my social media accounts ( Facebook ...

  "Prescience", 12" x 16", acrylics, collage and graphite on artboard, available to the first asking nicely for $499 plus s&h (thank you in advance). I accept paypal, personal checks and payment plans. Inquiries may always come   to me . What does this painting say to you? To me it whispers comfort - there's ghosts present, or spirits or a presence of sorts. The ground is heaving and the sky is thick with smoke, but they have it all under control. They are reassuring to me. I'm happy to have them at my side. Thanks, as always, for also being at my side and following along on my art journey, Warmly, Kim

"Showgirl", 12" x 16", acrylics, collage and graphite on artboard, sold directly from the easel (thank you very much to my returning collector). I often share in process images on my social media ( Facebook   and   Instagram ), and followers are welcome to reserve a piece prior to it's completion. Just   message me directly  when you fall in love with a painting and I will put your name on it.  I had 5 studies from early 2019 that I've been reworking this week, and 3 of them have already found new homes. I am so very grateful for the enthusiasm that you show for my work - thank you VERY much for that! And if you are a fellow creative, wondering how I took older pieces and made them new, this week I shared a video lesson to that effect in   The Magic Space, my online classroom over on Patreon . We may not be able to travel and teach/learn right now, but Patreon allows you to visit my studio at least once a week for a little chit-chat...

  "Harlequin", 12" x 16", acrylics, collage and graphite on artboard, $499 to the first asking nicely. I accept paypal, personal checks and payment plans.   Inquiries can always come to me. There's a 2020 Bingo card buried in this one - can you see it? Who's got the master key? What do you suppose O-35 stands for? Thanks, as always, for following along on my art journey, Warmly, Kim

  Pictured above is my journal spread for this week's upcoming ZOOM journaling class. Third Thursdays  of each month are currently ZOOM Journaling evenings. Classes are taught in real time, with multiple camera angles so that everyone has a front seat for the demo. This month's session includes an affirmation exercise, along with writing and other symbolic content. More information is   here   or you can   email me directly.   Live class participants must be registered by 4pm eastern the day of class. Studio News from July and August 2020 Where did the summer go? Here in Michigan, yellow has begun creeping into the trees and blooms are turning to seedpods. It won't be long before Winter Sal shows up - or rather, disappears (our little dog buries himself in blankets when the temps drop) - and I'll have an eager lap warmer for the rest of the year. This week my workshop at   Painting Miles   in Raleigh, NC was officially cancelled due to C...

  "Kinsley," 9" x 12", commissioned portrait of such an adorable little girl, acrylics on museum quality panel. This dog painting has a home - but does your home have a dog painting? Museum quality 8" x 10"s featuring one dog on a simple ground start at $499; other sizes and complexities priced accordingly.   Reach out  to start the conversation. Thanks, as always, for following along on my art journey, Warmly, Kim

Detail of "Golden (Songbird 9), scroll down to see the full painting. This one is  12" x 36" x 1-1/2" and truly an uplifting painting. She's acrylics and graphite with plenty of depth and texture and an array of gentle color that makes you smile. The painting is $849 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. I accept paypal, personal checks and payment plans. Message   me  to make this painting yours. This afternoon was spent sketching birds, nearly 100 of them, all from my head. That doesn't mean that 100 turned out - probably only about 5-7 did. But it was the experience of full immersion while I played with some new materials that was really the goal. And then the sketches I liked are the added bonus - maybe I'll get to paint them larger. We shall see. Thanks, as always, for following along on my art journey, Warmly, Kim

"Songbird 7," 18" x 24", acrylics and graphite on flat panel, $799 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. I accept paypal, personal checks and payment plans. Message   me , and we can make this extraordinary painting yours. I am disappointed with myself. This painting glows and has such depth, yet I cannot come up with a suitably meaningful title. I suppose it will come with time, but meanwhile, over the course of a month this has just been #7. Sigh. Maybe it's because I'm supposed to allow the collector to title it?  Thanks, as always, for following along on my art journey, Warmly, Kim

  "Undaunted," 18" x 24" x 1-1/2", acrylics on cradeled wooden panel, $849 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. This piece has got some lovely copper and gold metallic passages that glimmer and interact with the viewer as they move past. I accept paypal, personal checks and payment plans, so please message   me   and we can make this happen. It's fitting that I signed this painting today, given that she was started around the beginning of the summer. She sums up my painting journey these past fews months: the various influences of those I've been studying with + world events + my personal life. I mostly feel tangled and buried in my emotions, but when I stop to pause and ground myself, I can see tiny, intense bits of jeweled treasure. I should set a reminder to do so regularly - go stand barefoot in the grass, shine my heart to the sky, and just breathe in the birdsong a couple times each day. Thanks, as always, for following along on my art journey...

  "Bound (was Dove 3)," 11" x 14", acrylics and pencil on stonehenge paper, small white margin on edges (not pictured), $399 plus s&h to the first asking nicely, if I can part with her. You'de better ask very, very nicely. I accept paypal, personal checks and payment plans. Inquiries may always come   to me . Last week I shared   this painting . I truly thought she was finished. But then in the days since, I've become a better artist. This morning she tapped me on the shoulder and helped me see what could happen with just a few more layers of paint. Of course she'd told me this last week, but I wasn't able to understand it yet. Thanks, as always, for following along on my art journey! Warmly, Kim

  Still wet, this is "The Love Bunnies," a commissioned portrait featuring three beloved pet rabbits. This painting is 18" x 24", acrylics and graphite on panel, and will be heading shortly to her new home.   Reach out to me   for questions about commissioning a portrait of your own - and while I cringe saying it, it's not too early to talk about the holidays, either. Studio News from July 2020 And now it's August.... the days keep on sliding by. Home improvement projects continue - we are laying new hardwood floor upstairs and reconfiguring the bedrooms to create a new study and yoga/zen space for The Princess, who has decided to not return to campus this fall, since all of her courses are online. I am particularly excited to have a room dedicated to quiet pursuits! oh yeah, and the added bonus of her sticking around, too. Meanwhile, I'm working on commissioned portraits, filming lessons and doing other necessary admin tasks in the studio, which is what...

"Dove 3," 11" x 14", acrylics and pencil on stonehenge paper, small white margin on edges (not pictured), $399 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may always come   to me . In between working on commissions, I am continuing my own learning via mentoring sessions with   Anne Siems . I'm also taking   an online workshop with Stanka Kordic.   This piece was a eureka sort of painting in that it begins to meld what I am trying to learn from both these extraordinary women. Someone asked me recently why I study with other artists. It's because I'm never fully satisfied with what I know how to do. There's always people better than me at something or another, and I want to try to peek inside their brain to figure out how they weave their magic. Then I can adapt that to my own goals and style. It would be boring to paint the same way, every day, for eternity. I want to evolve and grow. Always. (and if you feel the same way, maybe you want to   v...

A couple weeks ago I taught   my first zoom workshop , mono printing in our journals, and it was a wonderful experience. Zoom allows me to demonstrate my process, simultaneously share my journal and my palette, and interact with participants in real time. Additionally, the class video becomes available afterwards for direct download for any students wishing to try the lesson on their own time after the fact. If you haven't yet tried journaling, what's holding you back? There's no need for previous arting experience (I promise you that - as complex as my pages may look, they are simple exercises that can be completed by anyone), no specialized art materials or equipment. And no expectation that what you make will hang on a wall or even ever have to be shared. All you need is the desire to make some marks and play with the tools. So please consider joining us - either in a zoom session, or one of the free   #journalthroughit classes. If you are an avid journaler, you w...

"Grace," 18" x 24" x 1-1/2", acrylics on cradeled panel, commissioned portrait of a wonderfully sweet chocolate lab. Grace was perfectly behaved while here in the studio. Isn't she just the absolute best? Pearls and a Tiffany blue ground for a princess of a pup. This painting has been in the works for the past 5 months. The studio seems a little gloomier without her sweet little face to brighten things up. And while I hate to say it, it's not too early to be planning for holiday gift giving. I'm booked well into September at the moment.. I am happy to discuss a portrait of your beloved family member - prices start at $499 for an original painting of museum quality.   Reach out now   and we can lock your project in before the year's end. Thanks, as always, for following along on my art journey! Warmly, Kim

There's a new Santini in town - meet Bean! The Princess brought home a cattle dog-corgi mix puppy over the weekend, and it didn't take long for this little girl to make it onto my easel. Well, actually, into my journal that is. This week's   #journalthroughit lesson   will be one giant dose of puppy therapy. Which, I think given the uncertainty and unrest in the world right now, we all could use. We'll create a mixed media page inspired by Bean - or your own special furry family member. Pull up   the studio's Facebook page   at 11:30am eastern this Thursday (July 23) for the live lesson, or   tune in   at your convenience afterwards. As always, #journalthroughit classes are free, and the programming is   funded by your donations . And if you want even more time working in your journal, join me again at 6pm that same day for   a journal lesson delivered via Zoom   on monoprinting. I decided to offer my monthly...

"Lola," 8" x 10", commissioned pet portrait, acrylics on cradeled panel, private collection. This painting is slated to be gifted soon - I have permission to share her, BUT, if you happen to know a Lola who looks exactly like this, you are now in on the secret. Want a portrait for your own self? I'm currently selecting projects for fall delivery. Inquiries can always come straight   to me . Thanks, as always, for following along on my art journey! Warmly, Kim

"Mending the Rift," 18" x 20", acrylics and mixed media on paper, $749 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. Please note that this painting will need to be framed by the collector. I accept paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Inquiries can always come straight   to me . Still painting hope, but there's a tinge of heartache in this one too. Tomorrow's   #journalthroughit lesson   (live streamed on  my Facebook page ) will be about taking a line for a walk. Tune in at 11:30 am eastern to learn how to create lines with personality and character. I've also got a special evening journaling session via Zoom scheduled for next week - all the details are   here . Thanks, as always, for following along on my art journey! Warmly, Kim