Paintings With Soul

FROM THE LEFT: "Airedale I" and "Airedale II," each image approximately 8" square on a 9" piece of Multimedia Artboard, done in Golden Open Acrylics, painted sketches of two Airedales, $95 each. Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me . I enjoy doing partner paintings - these two are intended to "look" at each other. The connected horizon line and similar colors further link the portraits. This is the first diptych I've paintd on the Multimedia Artboard - I like how this surface allows me to build up loose blocks of color and glaze. It's the perfect surface for my painted sketches. I'd love to do some more of these and explore other breeds, maybe even incorporate collaged elements. What do you think? Thanks, as always, for looking at - and sharing - my artwork and musings with your friends and family. Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com...

"Airedale (from the Tags, Toys and Treasures series)," 4" x 5", acrylic on canvasboard depicting a vintage metal Airedale Terrier figurine. Inquiries may always come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . This is another figure from the box of treasures my friend sent. I love the heft of this guy - he has a solid feel, and the metal warms nicely in your hand. There is great texture in the curls that you can trace with your fingernail, and the surface warmly reflects its environment. And there is a hint of paint around the face that still remains. It's odd painting something so very tiny - this figurine wasn't more than 1-1/2" at the shoulder - and trying to transform it into a larger scale painting that carries interest and reads conformationally correct. Sometimes these figurines carry conformation deformities or mold lines that look painful when enlarged..... but this guy "grew up" with some character, even though he looks very un-animate...

“Zoe,” 5” x 7”, Airedale portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, private collection. I recently painted a larger than lifesize portrait of Zoe, and had a blast. The toughest part was choosing a pose that would anchor the composition and really communicate her laid back and casual approach to life. The choice was further complicated by the dozen caliber photos Zoe’s “person” provided. Donna (Zoe’s Mom) started out years ago as a client, but has grown into a friend (I think that happens with a good number of my collectors!). She has regularly shared her sources of inspiration (check out Julian Merrow Smith’s paintings at http://www.shiftinglight.com/ ), and regularly brightened my days with her well written “streams of consciousness.” She gave me free rein when building the concept for Zoe’s painting. I did all sorts of schemes and tried out different sketches, ultimately choosing a relaxed lounge on a bunched up afghan, with the color and detail all concentrated in Zoe’s face. But one smal...