Paintings With Soul

  Aster, 6"x6"x1-1/2", acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted so no need to frame. Can sit upright on her own or be hung on the wall. Special giddy post wedding pricing of $250 plus s&h (SOLD, ty so much to my returning collector!). Questions can always come  to me. Last week I painted little florals inspired by the prior weekend's wedding centerpieces  It was all about lingering with the memory of our beautiful backyard garden party celebrating The Man Child and his delightful bride, The Smile Maker. The tent is down, leftovers have all been consumed, the yard got a lovely "wash" via a few great thunderstorms, and I actually caught up on some sleep. Now it's on to the next big event..... which, I haven't yet identified. I'm in a lovely little pocket of time with no pressing deadlines or looming projects. My summer abstraction workshop ended last week and the large commissioned piece I've worked on the last 2 months is shipping...

  "Bloom," 24"x30", acrylics and graphite on panel, Not currently for sale. Inquiries may always come  to me . I can't decide what my favorite bit of this painting is - the orange flower blooming above her left eye? the way her whiskers twist together into the negative space on the right side of the painting? her wry smile and half shut eyes? that purple flower just past her prime with petals dancing off into oblivion? There's so much to look at and process here, it makes me giddy. My Magic Space (online) students are getting a video short about the making of this painting. There's also nuggets of info in there about finding your own artists' style.  If you are curious yourself,   please join us ! Be well, Fondly, Kim

"Peony Diptych," (2) 12" square gallery stretched canvases that overall create a 12" x 24" image.  Done in acrylics and paint pen, featuring one of my favorite flowers, peonies. Available to the  first asking nicely  for $350. I'm planning to study florals a bit more seriously in a series of smaller works. I'm paying greater attention to modeling and composition, among other things. Trying to think about the painting as an abstract object and not as a representation of flowers, if that makes any sense. And if not, that's ok, too, because you can simply enjoy the piece for the floral element! Also, I made a number of new images available for prints and various reproductions - you can see them here . Thanks for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"Tulip Bowl," 24" x 30" acrylics on panel, featuring violet tulips in a goldfish bowl. Another piece created for licensing consideration, this one is available to the  first asking nicely  for $899, with one contingency. IF Tulip Bowl makes the licensing cut, I'll ship the artwork to my agency for a high resolution scan, after which the painting can be shipped to a new home. The scanning process should be completed by the end of March. Thanks for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim

"Spray Roses," 16" x 20" acrylics on panel, available to the  first asking nicely  for a very affordable $200 (plus $20 s&h). SOLD (TY) One of my favorite kinds of flowers in a vase that belonged to my grandmother. This one was painted with extra love. Thanks for supporting my art, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"Sunflowers," 16" x 20", acrylics on panel, $199 plus s&h. Inquiries may come to me . SOLD (THANK YOU!) I taught an afternoon workshop at my local library on Saturday, and we painted bouquets of sunflowers. My students did a fantastic job painting the essence and energy of their flowers. Each piece carried it's own interpretation of their sunny faces and jumble of petals. This is my demo piece, worked a bit further along today in my studio. I think it will be fantastic in a kitchen - or a powder room - or a foyer - or a guest bedroom........ I have been asked to do a repeat performance of this class in Montague, Michigan at Studio 2 . Let me know if you are interested, and we'll get you on the class list! Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"Mary's Little Lamb," 24" x 20", acrylics, charcoal and ink on panel, featuring a lamb sporting a bouquet of flowers. This piece is $599, and will arrive wrapped in love and compassion. The price includes complimentary shipping inside the US (I also ship worldwide for a small fee) - inquiries may always come  to me . Similar to the painting I did in homage for those killed in Nice, France titled " Camargue Peace ," the flowers here have particular meaning and were chosen specifically to honor those touched by the recent bloodshed in Rouen, France . I can't change the ugliness in the world, but I can counter it with beauty and love. Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com    WORKSHOPS: "Color-iffic," Montague, Michigan (near Grand Rapids), September 8-9th, 2016. For further information or to enroll, please contact  Korrine Rodgers . "Getting Fresh," Mt. Pleasa...

IN PROCESS, ABOVE the full painting, BELOW, a detail: "Squeaker," 48" x 48" x 3/4", acrylics on cradeled panel (with image painted to wrap around the sides, so no need to frame), featuring a mouse on steroids (Squeaker is 24" tall!!!) with an explosion of blooms. Squeaker is available and may be purchased or placed on layaway prior to the piece's completion. He is $8999, which includes shipping and handling inside the US. Inquiries may always come  to me . I started this one late Thursday evening, and have been painting away ever since. The flowers became therapy once I heard of the Orlando tragedy. Senseless and tragic and my heart hurts for what our world has become. Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

(please excuse the glare - this one is tough to photograph because of it's size and the gloomy day) IN PROCESS: "P(e)ony," 48" x 48" (yes, this little pony is larger than life!), acrylics on panel, featuring a lavender pony sprouting a tangle of pink peonies. This one can be yours for $8999, including complimentary shipping inside the US (also, as with all my work, payment plans are an option). And yes, if you love her now, you can pre-purchase - inquiries may come  to me . So my peonies aren't blooming yet, but my neighbor's are. I texted her one evening at dusk - "will you call the police if I come over in my jammies and steal some of your flowers?" Thankfully she said no, and told me to cut as many as I needed. I have the best friends!! (and the studio smells so lovely!) Also, one rainy afternoon last week I may have been spotted picking wildflowers from a roadside ditch. Anything for art, right?! Thanks for following along w...

"Posie" 60" x 60" (yes, that size is correct), acrylics on gallery stretched canvas (with the image wrapped and painted around the sides, so no need to frame), depicting The Princess and a delightful "handful" of flowers. This extraordinary piece is available for purchase with one stipulation - that I am able to exhibit it this fall. Please  email me  if you are interested in seeing detail shots or have any questions. In process pics are  here. Yesterday was Rosie and today is Posie. I know. I'm rhyming. I'm also a painting dervish! Lots of new progress getting made on so many new pieces. It's very exciting! Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   

"Tulips," 10" x 22", acrylics on gallery stretched canvas, depicting one of my grandmother's vases spilling with tulips, $299 to the first one asking nicely. No, that is not a typo - the piece carries a lot of sketch-like properties, so I priced it accordingly - message me if you are interested! SOLD (and thank you so much!!) This piece was the perfect one to complete while waiting for passages in other, larger works to dry.

"Sistering,"** 16" x 22", from "The Dryad Series," acrylics on gallery stretched canvas, depicting two magical spirits in a tangle of ranunculus. Inquiries may come  to me . Last week, while The Princess and I tackled all but one thing on her Spring Break stay-cation bucket list (and not for lack of trying!), the boys took on Las Vegas. And I got quite a bit of painting done, but did give myself a vacation from blogging and sending out newsletters.  And this is one of the pieces that resulted. Lots of wonder happening here, with layers of marks, drips of paint, and other interesting brushwork. I adore this piece - and the floodgate of imagery it has inspired. Just wait and see! **Also, if you are unfamiliar with the concept of "Sistering," you have to read this! Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim

"Rare Sighting of Brontosaurus Pinkus, Thought Extinct," 16" x 20", acrylics and mixed media on canvasboard, depicting an arrangement of roses which have lured the elusive Brontosaurus Pinkus from hiding. This remarkable moment is now preserved forever, and it can be yours for $449 (with complimentary s&h inside the US) to the first asking nicely . I've been so engrossed in arranging, painting, and rearranging flowers the past couple weeks that I've completely missed out on paying attention to the wildlife they are attracting. The studio habitat is a wonderful space! Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

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 ...

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...

I'm always painting, or so it seems! The following paintings are recently available for purchase directly from my studio. These original works, unless noted, are acrylic on museum quality panel. All prices include s&h within the US. (A more comprehensive list of unsold originals can be seen here ) BONUS - Multiple paintings can typically be shipped together, returning collectors receive 10% off purchases (excluding paintings on paper or masonite), and I do accept payment plans (6 month plan with art shipped upon completion of payments).  Thanks so much for your interest in my artwork!  Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com "Domino," 7-1/2" x 12", $449. Inquire directly to me . "Bouquet IV," one of several floral paintings available, each created under the instruction of Lisa Daria Kennedy , 6" x 6", acrylics on masonite, $75. Inquire directly to me . You can view...

"Pooh," 6" x 6," acrylics on masonite, depicting a stuffed Pooh bear. My stuffed Pooh bear, rescued from the stuffed animal bin at the Salvation Army. I have a thing for taking in creatures that need love, don't judge me. This painting was for sale, but sold in just a few minutes over on Facebook. If you would like me to paint him again, I am happy to - let  me know .  A Near Disaster I first painted a little bouquet (see below), and then set about to putting together a new still life. Ultimately, Pooh spoke out the loudest, although in the simplest of terms, as Pooh does.  I messed around with him on my desk, then a shelf, then a chair. But he seemed happiest on the floor, at the foot of my easel. So I set to painting him, and was making good progress. And then, the dog came into the studio, took one peek at the stuffy on the floor, dove for Pooh, and then made a run for it. Such are the dangers of stuffies in my househ...

"Mums Kitten," 10" x 16," acrylics on masonite, depicting a second black and white kitten (I painted one yesterday ). Please forgive the poor quality of the photo - this painting is VERY wet and most likely will take a couple hours to dry, so I opted for an iPhone pic and a little glare as opposed to waiting until 1am - I hope you can forgive me! I'll put a scan on the blog tomorrow - but meanwhile, this little guy can be yours for $579, and that includes s&h to your door (inside the US). Please inquire to me . And take a peek at the in process photos which are here . Opposites So Domino, my painting from yesterday , was a lighter valued black and white kitten painting. And Mum went in the opposite direction - there are lots of richly hued dark values in this painting. I wanted to experiment with the two extremes. See how the layered marks read when they were light vs dark. Play with lost edges at each end of the spectrum. Sand ...

"Peonies III," one of 6 paintings completed this weekend at the Lisa Daria Kennedy workshop in Traverse City, Michigan. The pieces are all 6" square, acrylic, and with the exception of one piece on mylar, are done on masonite. This painting and her 5 friends are for sale - $75 each includes s&h - details are here. Inquiries may always come my way . Back to Earth You know how you put someone on a pedestal and believe they are perfect? and then when you get the chance to meet them, and learn they are merely human, you are disappointed?   Well, that DIDN'T happen this weekend. One of my painting Shero's, Lisa Daria Kennedy , came to Michigan to teach this last weekend. And I was one of 10 lucky students who got to pick her brains on color, brushwork, developing a personal voice, squirrels, artistic influences (she did mention  Susan Lichtman once or twice), critiques, values, food, messy buns and traveling with art supplies, da...