Sprout - Original Art by 2015 Kentucky Derby Artist Kimberly Santini

"Sprout," 12" x 16, acrylics on Raymar panel depicting a foal. This painting is available for $959, which includes special delivery to your doorstep (inside the contiguous US) - inquire directly to me. In process photos here.

I Need a Name

Not me (I've got lots of them, some not suitable for print), but this little baby.

Originally I had titled this piece "Siesta," because the foal looked incredibly sleepy in my reference photo. However, somewhere along the way, that changed a bit. So I'm open to suggestions!

Congratulations to JR who suggested "Sprout" as the title - she will receive a cell phone case in appreciation for her mad painting naming skills! 

  

Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork!

Warmly, Kimberly Santini  

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

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The End of the Day -- Kimberly Kelly Santini

"The End of the Day," 16" x 20", acrylics on panel, depicting a beautifully feathered Gypsy Vanner draft horse, $679 to the first asking nicely.

View In Process Photos

In person this painting literally glows with layers of subtle and harmonic color. I even hear crickets and the drone of a fat honeybee. Paintings can do some remarkable things. I'm sharing some of my secrets in a 4 day workshop next month in Traverse City - we'll do a heck of a lot of painting, but we also laugh pretty hard, eat very well, enjoy sunset wine tasting on the peninsula, and make new friends. We need a few more bodies to make this happen - if you are interested, talk to Kathryn and figure out how you can join us. Thanks, as always, for your interest in my artwork, Warmly, Kim Kimberly Santini www.KimberlySantini.com

Last Laugh by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Last Laugh," 10" x 10", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a bay Thoroughbred horse. This painting is available for $539 to the first one asking nicely. VIEW IN PROCESS PHOTOS I know Derby week is over, but I wasn't ready to say goodbye to the horses quite yet. Indulge me for one more day! Thanks for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Squeaky Clean and Overthinking - by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Squeaky Clean," 15" x 24", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a blood bay Thoroughbred getting bathed. Inspired by the barn area at historic Saratoga Racetrack. This painting is available for $1299 to the first one asking nicely. VIEW IN PROCESS PHOTOS I was half afraid to come into the studio this morning for fear Squeaky wasn't nearly as good as I remembered. But then he was. Then I started thinking what would happen if I ruined him during today's painting session? But then I didn't. Some days you have to stop thinking and trust that you can. Here's to a safe trip for all the horses running tomorrow, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

In Process - Squeaky Clean by Kimberly Kelly Santini

In Process, above "Squeaky Clean," 15" x 24", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a blood bay Thoroughbred getting bathed. Inspired by a sunny morning spent in the barn area at the historic Saratoga Racetrack last summer. This painting is available for $1299 to the first one asking nicely. Detail of Squeaky's face is below.

VIEW IN PROCESS PHOTOS

Every summer I visit Saratoga, New York - I drive through Canada and pick up Linda Shantz near Toronto, then we meet up with Jenifer Trottier (New Jersey), Juliet Harrison (New York) and Sharon Passmore (Tennessee). We spend our time talking horses and art while taking in the local gallery scene and getting as many hours at the track as possible.  Reference photos shot during those few days together fuel a year's worth of creating. That's where the pics behind "Squeaky Clean" came from. Thanks as always for following along with my artwork, Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Title This Painting by Kimberly Santini

"Untitled," 12" x 12", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a retired Thoroughbred from Old Friends at Cabin Creek in upstate New York. This painting is available for $599 to the first one asking nicely, and proceeds will benefit the Old Friends. VIEW IN PROCESS PHOTOS Last summer I visited Old Friends Cabin Creek and learned about their mission firsthand - providing dignified retirement for racehorses. The farm is staffed entirely with volunteers.  It was moving to hear the stories of their residents, and every single horse appeared happy, healthy, and well loved. I took many photos but very poor notes, and cannot figure out who this fellow is. Maybe the folks at Cabin Creek can tell me? Meanwhile, the painting needs a title. Your suggestions are welcome here.  Thanks as always for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Kentucky Derby Week - Anyone's Race by Kimberly Santini

"Anyone's Race," 7" x 12", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a field of Thoroughbreds two strides into a race. This painting is available through Spa Fine Art (in Saratoga Springs New York) for $529 to the first one asking nicely. Spa also carries a large selection of other racing scenes. Please contact them for more information. To implement this month's desktop calendar, download the file directly from my website. I am by no means an expert on the variety of operating systems, so I highly recommend that if you don't know how to change your desktop wallpaper, don't email me for advice! Instead consult your computer's help files - they will be more concise, more knowledgeable and more responsive than I could ever hope to be. Thanks as always for following along with my artwork, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Luna, by Kimberly Santini

"Luna," 7" x 12", acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting a stunning paint horse, in process photos here. Thank you Maggie Weakley (friend and fellow artist) for sharing your muse with me. $499, inquiries may come to me. I know I've always preached that black paint can be a crutch. And I've never used it.  Then Robert Genn called it the Queen of Color. And friend and mentor Vianna Szabo told me she was using it in her new limited palette (and she's taking a group to Italy to paint, in case you are interested). I was already painting black and white horses, falling in love with the abstractions of their markings and the play of light. The next step was to push the boundary even further and eliminate the middle ground. Hence The Luna Series has been born. There's another Luna piece in process on the studio Facebook page. And one in my head, ready to spill out. And more in the works. Black CAN be a powerful tool when used in moderation and tinted with strong blues and reds. I love making new discoveries! Thanks for following along, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Shasta Solomon ~~ Paintings with Soul by Kimberly Kelly Santini

Shasta Solomon, 12" square, acrylics on museum quality panel, depicting the fine Gypsy Vanner stallion Shasta Solomon from Shasta H Ranch, available for purchase after a few more tweaks, $599. Inquiries may come to me.     Today's workshop started out with a bang - a demonstration painting that I am just delighted with.   It's a challenge to paint and talk simultaneously. It's a bigger challenge to paint and articulately talk simultaneously. It's an even bigger challenge to paint well and articulately talk simultaneously.   Then my students asked me to also sing and dance.   It was all downhill from there!   That's ok - tomorrow, it's payback time!! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Wheeee ~~ by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Wheeee (Gideon)," 7" x 13", portrait of a Gypsy Vanner, done in acrylics on museum quality panel, $529 to the firstasking me nicely. And lots of in process photos are on Facebook.   This handsome guy was born at Shasta H Ranch and is currently owned by Courtney Vallery. The inspiration photo for this painting was used with permission from Christine Hadden, owner of Shasta H. Thank you so much, Christine!   And thank YOU for following along with my paintings! Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Clarisse ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Clarisse," 8" x 10", portrait of a Gypsy Vanner mare, done in acrylics on museum quality panel, $469 to the firstasking me nicely. And lots of in process photos are on Facebook.   Gypsy Vanners are one of my favorite subjects to paint. They are mythical, curvey, packed with glorious color, and move with grace and beauty. And they have the kindest eyes.   So when I somehow came across Ceo Na Terra Gypsys one late nite on the computer, I was blown away. I started communicating with Shannon, the owner, and she arranged permission for me to paint a number of her horses (remember, you can't just take imagery you find on the internet and repurpose - you have to get permission first!)   I've been in heaven ever since!!   Wait'll you see what happened next!!   Thanks for following along with my paintings! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

My Pretty Pony ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

"My Pretty Pony I," 10" x 10", the last installment in this year's Derby Week horse inspired paintings, done in acrylics on a museum quality panel. $349 to the first asking nicely.   The Princess was delighted that I had pulled out her ponies - she's not played with these for years, and spent some time brushing their hair and readying the others for a turn on the easel.   A few in process pics are on the studio Facebook page - this is a crummy, dark and flat photo, and I'll have to replace it with a scanned image - the painting has a lot more color and life to it than this properly shows.   And if you know this particular pony's name, please let me know so that I can retitle the painting.   Here's to a safe trip tomorrow for all the horses on the card at Churchill Downs, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Skye by Kimberly Kelly Santini

 

"Skye," 6" x 8", portrait of a Gypsy Vanner (one of my favorite breeds), done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, $329. Inquiries may come via email to me. And thank you!

 

 

 

Don't forget about my horse-themed auction - 8 original paintings will all have new homes come 9pm EST Wednesday, May 1st. Will one of them head to your place?

 

Bid here. And thank you yet again!

 

Thanks for following along,

Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Derby Week - Horse Art Auction by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Watch Eye," 6" x 8", from 2007, one of eight equine paintings I am auctioning off in the next couple days. Details on the auction are below and on the studio's Facebook page.

 

In honor of Kentucky Derby Week, I've chosen a handful of older favorites starring horses for my next online auction hosted on the studio Facebook page.

 

These are paintings I love, pieces that were exbibited/on tour up until a few years ago, when they were put in storage for one reason or another. Or maybe they were in a gallery that has since closed it's doors and returned inventory to me. Or maybe, like Watch Eye above, they were personal favorites that we have been enjoying in our home, but need to let go in order to make room for new acquisitions.

 

These are daily paintings, acrylics done on canvasboard panels, from 2007 - 2010. Because they are older pieces and have been around the block a few times, my current galleries are not interested in hanging them.

 

But they deserve homes!! 

 

So I'm auctioning them off on the studio Facebook's page. Place your bid by commenting on the photo of the painting you want to adopt. Bidding will continue until 9pm EST Wednesday evening (that's May 1st).

 

Please note that the winning bidder is responsible for all applicable taxes, shipping and handling fees. I estimate domestic shipping costs of one painting to be $15 and I am happy to combine shipments on multiple purchases.

 

The entire album of available paintings is here. 

 

This is a great way to get a pony without the vet bills or boarding fees!!

 

Thanks for helping me find these gems a home!

Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Sal by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Sal," 6" x 8", acrylic on museum quality panel, depicting a blood bay Quarter Horse. This is a commissioned portrait and a Christmas surprise, and as such will be headed to a good hiding spot in his new home shortly.   But never fear - I am able to paint something just as special for you - shoot me an email and we'll get your project started!! Sketches start at $99 and panels like Sal's start at $329.   Happy Friday!!   And thanks for following along, Kim, who is throwing together a pot of veggie soup and getting herself ready for some high school football Caped Crusader style. Join me in crossing fingers and toes so that the predicted thunderstorms skirt the stadium and our boys get to play some ball!!! ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

 

Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

Derby Day was my favorite when I was a kid. After all, it was the only time of year that horses and racing were on TV upwards of 2 hours. And during Derby Week the newspaper featured workout times and grainy black and white photographs of the favorites - great fodder for sketching and musing Saturday's outcome. As a horse-hungry child in those pre-cable and pre-internet days, this was a big deal indeed.

And now (for the fourth year running!) I celebrate Kentucky Derby week by turning the Dog a Day's into four-legged paintings of another sort.

We'll start the week off with a Daily Double:

"After the Finish," from the Saratoga Series, 8" x 7", Golden Open Acrylics on Raymar panel, $399. Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me.

"The Tote Board," from the Saratoga Series, 8" x 5", Golden Open Acrylics on Raymar Panel, $339. Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me.

When I sorted through photo references and painting ideas last night, I narrowed myself down to 9 compositions. We'll see how the pace of the week goes, but I would love to work through all 9.

Feel free to forward these paintings and share with another horse racing fan.

Thanks, as always,

Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

www.paintingadogaday.com

SHOP ORIGINALS & LIMITED EDITION GICLEES: at my Etsy shop

ORDER CUSTOMIZED NOTECARDS & REPRODUCTIONS: at Imagekind

COMMISSION A PET PORTRAIT: contact me

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE: contact me

READING MATERIAL: Preview and order each of the Dog a Day books at the publisher's website: The First Year (2006-2007) and That's 14 in Dog Years (2008). If you would like your copy personalized, order them through me.

Vertical (Bellator)

"Vertical (Bellator)," from the March Virtual pARTy photograph supplied by Linda Shantz, 8" x 16", acrylic on canvasboard, $529 to the first one who asks nicely. Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me.

So what's a Virtual pARTy? It's when a group of artists create art using the same reference photo. It's fascinating how each participant makes something uniquely theirs - the resulting body of work is a great study in the variety of interpretations possible.

This year Linda and I are trying to host pARTys more regularly - it was sort of hit and miss when we did them last year, which made it harder for others to plan on joining. So far it's worked out to be mid-month, every month. Check out the project blog for more details - rumor has it we might be doing a dog themed pARTy in the future.

So back to Bellator: I thought two things when I saw the photograph for this month's Virtual pARTy - one, the horse looked very much like those Katie Upton (one of my favorite artists ever) paints. And two, that blaze had to be front and center - I was going to break the rule about keeping your focal point from the middle of your canvas.

Thanks, as always, for looking at - and sharing - my artwork with your friends and family.

And happy weekend!

Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

www.paintingadogaday.com

SHOP ORIGINALS & LIMITED EDITION GICLEES: at my Etsy shop

ORDER CUSTOMIZED NOTECARDS & REPRODUCTIONS: at Imagekind

COMMISSION A PET PORTRAIT: contact me

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE: contact me

READING MATERIAL: Preview and order each of the Dog a Day books at the publisher's website: The First Year (2006-2007) and That's 14 in Dog Years (2008). If you would like your copy personalized, order them through me.

Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Koda's Curls," 8" x 10", portrait of two Curly Horses in the snow, acrylic on board, available for purchase to the first one asking nicely, $449. Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me.

Today's snow day wasn't much of a surprise - we got 9+ inches dumped on us, with at least another inch coming during the night, so it's most likely tomorrow will be a repeat performance. Although it's a challenge carving work time out amongst a herd of kids during the daylight hours, it's also a bit of a breather because after school and evening activities get put on hold. Gotta look at the pros and the cons, right?

I led a dozen amazingly talented kids in a Creative Journalling class this past weekend - you can see photos on the studio's facebook page (and while you're there, sign up to be a fan!). There's another class this coming Saturday, so if you are interested, giveLittle Monsters a call and sign your child up. It was a great time.

And provided there is continued interest, I'll make these journalling classes a regular thing, so it is important to let me know what you think!

Thanks, as always, for looking at - and sharing - my artwork with your friends and family.

Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

www.paintingadogaday.com

SHOP ORIGINALS & LIMITED EDITION GICLEES: at my Etsy shop

ORDER CUSTOMIZED NOTECARDS & REPRODUCTIONS: at Imagekind

COMMISSION A PET PORTRAIT: contact me

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE: contact me

READING MATERIAL: Preview and order each of the Dog a Day books at the publisher's website: The First Year (2006-2007) and That's 14 in Dog Years (2008). If you would like your copy personalized, order them through me.

Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

Untitled, from the Saratoga Series, 6" x 8", acrylic on Raymar panel, depicting Thoroughbreds and their jockeys on the track at Saratoga in New York, $349 to the first one who asks nicely. I know there's a great title here, but I'll be darned if I can think of it - suggestions welcomed! Your ideas (including inquiries about commissioned projects) may come straight to me.

There's something about the pagentry and color of horse racing, which aside from the beasts themselves, is mesmerizing. I wanted to capture a sliver of that with this composition - the jockeys and their mounts became a simple excuse for daubs of color. Color is such fun.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, there sits the power of black and white. I want to share with you a portrait of that my friend and uber talented Sheona Hamilton-Grant (aka The Graphite Queen) did of Finnigan. The drawing is due to arrive any day now. I'm getting a small taste of the anticipation and excitement you all go through while waiting for your paintings to arrive home.

Stay warm and safe this weekend - this latest winter storm is missing us in Michigan, but I know it's blanketing many others in the Dog a Day famiy.

Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

www.paintingadogaday.com

SHOP ORIGINALS & LIMITED EDITION GICLEES: at my Etsy shop

ORDER CUSTOMIZED NOTECARDS & REPRODUCTIONS: at Imagekind

COMMISSION A PET PORTRAIT: contact me

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE: contact me

READING MATERIAL: Preview and order each of the Dog a Day books at the publisher's website: The First Year (2006-2007) and That's 14 in Dog Years (2008). If you would like your copy personalized, order them through me.