Paintings With Soul

FROM TOP: "Blissfully Pink (Bliss)," 6" square, German Shorthaired Pointer dog portrait, acrylic on canvasboard; "Katie," 6" x 8," brittany spaniel dog portrait, acrylic on canvasboard. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Now that I see her on my computer screen, I realize that Katie isn't quite the right color - her fur was more like a burnished penny. I'll have to correct that, but later. It's been a loooong day, and like the winter gear filled dryer that's run nonstop for hours, I'm tired and need a break. These paintings will get wrapped and tucked under my tree. I had to delete my parents from the Dog-a-Day distribution so as to hopefully keep them a secret for just a few more days. They'll look great added to my father's Dog-a-Day collection of past and present hunting buddies. I have one other painting that I am finishing as a (personal) Christmas gift. It's a view of an uncle's backyard in the sum...

"Hugo," 6" square, commissioned German Shepherd pet portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, private collection (THANK YOU!). There are a bunch of unspoken "rules" in art. I believe that rules are made to be broken (if any of my kids are reading this, I'm referring to Art Rules. I am NOT referring to household rules such as NOT leaving your laundry in your room till it crawls away on its own). This particular painting breaks the rule of symmetry - I've literally cut the canvas in 1/2. Typically artists are told to avoid a horizon line or other compositional element that splits the canvas in 1/2. But I did just that with Hugo. By keeping the background very simple, and using a duller, cooler version of the grays in Hugo's face, I got away with it. Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with your friends and family, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com www.turtledovedesigns.com

"Barnum," 5" x 7", German Shepherd dog portrait , acrylic on board, a very special birthday gift from one dog-a-day reader to another. Happy 40th Birthday, Elise! From Peg and your "babyson"! (And from me, too!! have a great day!) I'm currently booking dog-a-day portraits for November 2009 - including actual "day" bookings like Barnum's to commemmorate birthdays, anniversaries and other occasions. Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with your friends and family. Enjoy the weekend - those in the path of Ike, please stay safe. Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com www.turtledovedesigns.com

"German Shepherd Study (Cujo)," 6" square, commissioned pet portrait, acrylic painting of a german shepherd on canvasboard, private collection (THANK YOU!). Today's painting is another one packed with vibrant color. I am searching to find that perfect balance between color harmony and oversaturation. This piece works well in that regard - when I squint down at it, the values all read properly. And when I open my eyes back up, I can't help myself - I grin right back at Cujo. The Landscape 75 international show at the Richeson Gallery and School of Art in Wisconson has gone online - you can view my painting there, in some excellent company, at http://www.richeson75.com/ . It's not too hard to pick out which one came from my studio (although it IS NOT a dog!). I've been told that People's Choice voting will be online soon. Not that I'm suggesting anything...... I am also getting ready for my trip to the AKC/Eukanaba National Championship Dog Show la...

“Luke,” 6” x 12”, German Shepherd commissioned pet portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, private collection (THANK YOU!). Luke is a rescue, and true to his breed, intense, alert, intelligent, independent, and full of attitude. Painting him at attention seemed like a good solid choice for just such a personality. (Although it’s rumored that Luke secretly thinks he is a mushy, lovey, lap dog.) I used a triad of color in Luke’s painting. Oranges, Greens, and Violets. The key to this combination is choosing colors that form an equilateral triangle from the color wheel. I also really focused on the subtlety of the neutrals that I used, holding off on touches of bolder color simply to pinpoint details and accent the focal point. Of course it also helped that Luke’s markings lent themselves perfectly to this, but I did also exercise some restraint! I also am very happy with the brushwork here. The outer edges of the canvasboard have only a layer or two of glaze, but the central portion/focal p...

Today you get 2 for 1. Consider it my Labor Day gift! First I'll give you "Spencer," a german shepherd portrait, sized 5x7. This is another commissioned pet portrait, and part of the same collection as yesterday's Peyton. As is "Remi," the second piece, depicting a rottie-bermese mountain dog mix. At 8x16, Remi's portrait is packed with detail and actually is one painting I wouldn't mind keeping for myself. (Sorry, Spencer) But she'll get wrapped and shipped off with her brothers next week. Those of you who perhaps have taken a life drawing class will laugh at this - but I feel like Remi is a nude stretched out with a drape and diffused lighting..... yeah, I'm a little twisted!! Both of these portraits I started earlier this week at the Michigan State Fair demo. Once I got them home, and was able to add white to my palette, all it took was a couple of hours and they were done. I wish all my readers a safe holiday weekend. Ours will be spent a...

“German Shepherd (Peyton),” 6x8, german shepherd pet portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, available for $120. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . In between being pulled in what seemed like a million other directions today, I managed to find enough time to finish off one of yesterday’s paintings. Here is Peyton, a perfect balance of complimentary colors and happy grin. I can also see, especially with this painting, that my brushwork has gotten more expressive, yet it still conveys a solid amount of detail. I am happy with this direction. Meanwhile, I had the most wonderful evening tonight at the opening for the 47th annual Thumb Show Exhibition. It was capped off perfectly with the announcement that my dog-a-day painting “Bulldog Study (Winston)” ( http://paintingadogaday.blogspot.com/search?q=winston ) had earned an honorable mention. If you get a chance to see this show (at the Starkweather Gallery in Romeo Michigan, through September 15th – call 586-752-5700 for more inf...

Today our household sort of eased our way back into somewhat of a regular routine. The kids return to school tomorrow, and I am looking forward to a block of uninterrupted studio time. I have a couple blank canvases staring me down, and some new commissioned portraits to start chipping away at. I am eager to set up the easel and play with color again!! But meanwhile here’s today’s painting, “Sweet Dreams,” a 5x7 study of a german shepherd powernapping. Lots of loose brushwork and layered glazes, which, unfortunately, are still a little wet, and are reflecting the studio lights – hence the “speckled” look to the painting. Available for $60 to the first buyer – inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with friends and family! Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ distinctive pet portraits & 4-legged paintings http://www.paintingadogaday.com/ come. sit. stay. enjoy the art. Founding memb...