Paintings With Soul

  Peach Peach, original acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, image painted around the sides so no pressing need to frame, 48”x36”x1-1/2”, $5000 plus s&h. Peach will ship rolled and require restreching at the recipient’s end, which can be done by a reputable framer. Questions can always come   to me , or just reach out to share some love. She started as a mountain lion, I kid you not (here’s a   reel   outlining her progression if you don’t believe me). Over the course of three months, Peach challenged me in ways I couldn’t have predicted, but I am SO glad that I stuck with her. You can view - or even purchase - Peach up close and personal   on my website .   Let me know if you would like a payment plan (30% non refundable deposit with the balance plus shipping paid in full inside 12 months time). Repeat offenders, err, returning collectors, use “COLLECTOR10” at checkout for 10% off your purchase of original artwork. And, if you are looking to level up you...

"Puff Ball", 10" x 10" acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a sweet little Pomeranian from my archives. A result of the active pursuit of lessons learned from one Stanka Kordic . The painting is not for sale, but as always, inquiries may come directly to me . Oh, and in process photos are here Painting Intuitively It's an admirable goal. Just picking up the brushes and sliding into some alternate consciousness while the piece paints itself.   For the record, THAT never happens here. But I AM trying to listen more to what the painting tells me it needs, and less to that annoying voice in my head that is quick to remind me of all that I'm doing wrong. Which, apparently, is a heck of a lot.   This was something that Stanka Kordic really hammered home during her workshop. We have intuition for a reason, and stifling it serves nobody, least of all the painting.   Of course there is a difference between intuition a...

In process, "Still Waters (Bear)," 16" x 20", acrylics on museum quality panel, commissioned portrait of Bear, a Golden Retriever I've painted more often than my own dog, acrylics on a museum quality panel. Ask nicely if you would like one of these portraits starring your pet . View In Process Photos I've been working on Bear's wet coat, the reflections of light, and the contrast balance for most of the day. Doesn't he look absolutely wonderful?! The end is in sight, very very close, but I'm starting to get cross eyed. While I am eager to sign this painting, I am also very aware of the dangers of pressing forward when my head isn't totally clear. Which was one of the toughest things for me to learn - when I need to fully embrace patience, and when it is necessary to power through a difficult passage. So I am going to set him aside for a little this afternoon. Perhaps I'll do some journaling or work on a small...

You can download the file   directly from my website . I've set up a couple different ways to do this, either via the photo album or a direct link. I am not an expert on operating systems, so if you don't know how to change your desktop wallpaper, please don't email me - I will indubitably steer you wrong. Your computer's help files will be more concise, more knowledgeable and more responsive than I could ever hope to be.  I've sized this to fit a standard screen height of 768 - I realize there are lots of variables that could impact how the file displays on your screen. Let me know if, once you get the file installed, there are display quality issues (keep in mind, too, that options such as "stretching to fit," "tiling" and "cropping" will impact your display, so check those first!). Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim

Ask Nicely - Buy Me Now A detail of the in process piece "Ballerina," 11" x 14", acrylics on panel, depicting a beautiful buckskin filly, $599 to the first asking nicely. View In Process Photos Lisa from Team Husar Photography sent me photos of this filly - she knew that Ella would be a great addition to my portfolio, and she was spot on. Feel free to follow along with the painting's progression - I'll be uploading photos to Facebook as I continue to work on her. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Warmly, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Maslo, image approximately 4-1/2" x 5" roughly centered on a 9" x 12" bristol board, depicting an Aussie pup, private collection (THANK YOU!).  I don't offer commissioned sketches any longer, but recently a couple collectors asked nicely. And I simply could not say no, especially when it was to welcome a new puppy into the family and to memorialize a dear friends' dog passing. I forgot how wonderful it feels to sketch, stay loose, and gob the paint on. Oh, and there was some dancing happening, too. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com 

"Ollie," 8" x 8," commissioned portrait of a German Shepherd, acrylics on a museum quality panel, a special gift for Ollie's little girl. Plenty of  in process photos are here . Want one for yourself? Inquiries may come  to me . I've been studying in-process images by master painters, and the one thing I noticed (light bulb moment here!) was that they paint entirely with planes. There is very little delineation happening - their subjects are sculpted with paint. So that was the approach I took with Ollie. No lines or drawing - just slabs of color going down. I rather like the effect. Thanks for following along, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Kiran's Spotlight, 11" x 14", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a young dancer and friend of The Princess, not currently available. However, inquiries may come  to me .     Sorry about the blurry photo - the best I can do given the current lighting situation! I'll try again tomorrow!   I decided the background needed more warmth, but still had to be cooler than the foreground. Once I figured that out, I was able to go and finish Kiran's body.   I thought I was done, but I see a couple edges I want to soften. I'll hold off on declaring her entirely finished, then, until Kiran's parents get a peek at it and give me some feedback.   And I make those tweaks I want!   Thanks for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   PS   In process pictures are here  on Facebook .

Muffin, 8" x 8", acrylics on museum quality panel, commissioned portrait of a Yorkshire Terrier, private collection (THANK YOU!!). I am completing a limited number of pet portraits in time for the holidays - please  inquire  today!!     This painting is a surprise, so sssshhhh!! I'm looking forward to hearing all about the reveal, though!!   In process pics of Muffin's portrait are on  the studio Facebook page . But remember, mums the word!   Thanks so much for following along with my work, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

    ABOVE:  "Lucy II," 5" x 7", commissioned portrait of Lucy, acrylics on museum quality panel, private collection (THANK YOU!) - inquiries about your own commissioned pet portrait can come  to moi !    My  first version  of Lucy just wasn't quite right, so my client sent over a new batch of photos and I had a fresh go of things. I love this one even more - as does she! - and I think it's a better partner to Lily's portrait (below, 5" x 7"), too!   Thanks for following along with my paintings! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

    "Double Dribble," from the "Play Ball" series, 8" square, portrait of a Cairn Terrier, acrylics on museum quality panel, $399 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries may come to me  - please and thank you!   For a limited time (until Thursday, July 4th), prints of "Double Dribble" are available through  my FineArtAmerica storefront .   In process photos are on  Facebook .   Meanwhile, if you want to see your dog translated to paint, send pics of him/her playing ball  to me! ! (I gotta put in the legal stuff - pics must have been taken by you and by submitting photos you are transferring rights to me only for creating derivative work from said photos and guaranteeing that such rights are yours to transfer.)   Thanks for supporting my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   PSST , I have all sorts of other images available as reproductions, too,  take a peek  - ...

"Sparkles," 6" x 8", portrait of a vintage clown doll head, acrylics on museum quality panel (so that this little guy creeps you out FOREVER!!). Only $329 to the first one brave enough to hang him in their home!  Inquiries may come  to me .     Here's to a fun-filled summer.   Bwah ha ha ha ha.   And I promise to return to the dogs next week!! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

    "Gus and Darlin," 9" x 12", commissioned double portrait of a Basset Hound and a Black Lab, done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, private collection (THANK YOU!!).   I'm happy to paint something special like these two goofballs just for you -  simply ask .   Lots of in-process photos are on  the studio Facebook page .   Including pics of my special studio visitor today.   Enjoy your weekend!   Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com  

    IN PROCESS:  "Ball?," 12" x 12", portrait of a youthful Nita, a golden retriever (reference photo below), done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, $599 to the first asking nicely. Which you can do  via email .   I will share photos of this painting as it unfolds on  the studio Facebook page  over the course of the afternoon.   Which provides those of you with questions about my process the opportunity to jump in and ask.   Extra special thanks to Lisa Husar, friend and most amazing photographer, for her undying generousity in sharing images for my painting pleasure. I have painted her dogs Nita and Bear more than I've painted my own. You can show Lisa some love by visiting her  website  or following her on  Facebook  - prepare to be wowed!   (And if you think your dog has muse potential,  email me pics for painting consideration, no strings attached! Photos must have...

  "Oscar," 6" x 6", commissioned portrait of a little yorkie, done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, private collection (THANK YOU!). I always welcome inquiries on how you can commission a portrait of your own -  email me .       Oscar came to the rescue with a fierce infection in his mouth, and ended up losing a good chunk of his jaw.   But he did win the hearts of his eventual forever family in the process.   Thanks so much for following along with my artwork! Don't forget, next week is Derby Week, so grab your fancy hat and get ready for equine paintings!   Enjoy the weekend, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com