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

Reproductions Cell Phone Cases Throw Pillows and Duvet Covers Workshops & Classes Request a Commission Tell Me You Love Me

The End of the Day, Dressed to Kill ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

My bedroom door proudly displays "The End of The Day," a 16" x 20" glorious and peaceful equine painting, complete with the most perfect framing job ever courtesy of Accent on Art (Lake Orion, Michigan).  This painting can grace your bedroom door or any wall in your home for $899 - just ask nicely.

When I've thrown my heart into a painting, I want a framing job that is exemplary. And that's what I get every time I take my work to Diana and DJ at Accent on Art.

For this one, DJ floated the painting overtop a shallow linen lined box, and Diana finished off with a beautifully detailed gilt frame with carvings matching the delicate curls in the mare's tail.

This says exquisite on every possible level. And it makes me happy. Very happy.

Let it make you happy too - "The End of the Day" is currently available, and payment plans are accepted. Email me to make it yours.

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

Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Palomino Mare Oil Painting by Karen Baker Thumm

"Tribute To Glory" oil painting on canvas

This lovely mare is Glory. She was my horse's best friend when I first bought him. She died a few years later, and this oil painting is my tribute to this sweet mare. 

I began the painting several years ago and have worked on it sporadically over the years. Since being laid up with a broken leg, I figured now was a very good time to finish her up and introduce her to the world. 

"Tribute To Glory" is a 12x12 inch oil painting on stretched canvas. She will be for sale once varnished and framed, or you can have her unframed if you wish  for $375. You can contact me through my website, Equine Artist Karen Thumm

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

JT, Finished ~~ by Kimberly Kelly Santini

 

"JT," 30" x30", commissioned portrait of a Thoroughbred, done in acrylics on a museum quality cradeled panel, private collection (THANK YOU!).

 

My apologies for the photo - I've lost my natural lighting and this painting is so large that my studio equipment doesn't light it evenly. I'll shoot a better pic tomorrow.

 

But isn't he just lovely?

 

Sigh. 

 

In process images are on the studio's Facebook page, and thank you for looking.

 

Fondly, 

Kim, who's hoping everyone stays battened down in this newest storm. Me? I'm stocked up with chocolate, so all is well!

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

 

All Dressed Up ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

ORDER NOTECARDS & REPRODUCTIONS of ALL DRESSED UP

"All Dressed Up (Donica)," 7" x 12", commissioned Andalusian filly portrait. This painting was done in Golden Open acrylics on a Raymar panel and will be headed to her new home shortly (THANK YOU!). I see a couple minor changes I want to make and my client hasn't had the chance to give me any feedback yet, but I have to call it a day - dinner's gotta be cooked and then I'm off to an Art Guild Meeting. And for the record, I only had 1 paczki today. Ok, 1. And a half. But that's it. For now. Enjoy your Fat Tuesday! Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my artwork with your friends and family - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

The Brumby Whisperer

The Brumby Whisperer

Well I think this fellow is finally finished... didn't want to add to much colour to the horses mane being white or cream in colour it could have become quite messy.

The Brumby Whisperer will be part of the Arizona exhibition in August unless sold before hand

10" x 14" watercolour  
Catherin McMillan
http://www.animalarthouse.com/
email: catherin@animalarthouse.com

Commissions welcome ... gift vouchers available

Lay byes  accepted.

Pay pal welcome

A Gentle Breeze ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

NEARLY FINISHED: "Gentle Breeze (Nitro)," from the "Black and Whites" series, 8" x 10", portrait of a horse, done in Golden Open Acrylics on Ampersand Gessoboard. Almost completed - and can be pre-purchased for $469. Please send your inquiries to me. Those of you who follow the studio on Facebook heard me bragging last week about an ambitious piece I started. Monday had me lamenting about a painting that was giving me problems. They were one and the same, the piece I'm sharing with you today. First it sunk deep into "The Uglies" - that stage where the artist is still working things out, and nothing quite yet meshes or works visually. Every piece goes through this phase - it's just that some linger longer than others. And Nitro refused to budge from "The Uglies." And I didn't know how to fix him. Over multiple days, I studied the piece in a mirror, upside down, and from my periphery. I used red cellophane to work out issues with values (laying a piece of red cellophane overtop a painting reduces it immediately to a value study, enabling you to see any problematic areas). I imported a jpg to Photoshop and experimented with other choices. I thought a lot about the depth I was hoping to achieve and visualized the color theory and practices that would make it work. I closed my eyes and painted it, over and over, in my head until I had the confidence for another try. This morning I tackled things immediately. Within 10 minutes there was an incredible shift in the painting, and I had my mojo back! I thought I was done, but now see some subtle shifts to make that will shift the mane towards translucency and better connect the shadowed barrel to the head. But that can wait! For now I want to celebrate the completion of this one and bask for a bit in all that I've learned via "Gentle Breeze." Thanks so very much for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com PS I painted Nitro already before - you can see his first painting, "Freedom," on the Painting a Dog a Day blog and onFineArtAmerica. My winter herb garden, compliments of my sister-in-law, enjoying the sunshine filled kitchen. Early Spring?? Michigan has been blessed with several gorgeous, entirely unseasonal days this week. I've never done winter well - I pretty much bundle up and hibernate until May. But this week has been very pleasant. We've enjoyed long walks, thrown 1000 snowballs for the dog (it sure felt like 1000!), gotten re-acquainted with the sun, and even gone for a bike ride. The bunny hutch got a good scrape down yesterday, which made Lily and Clover happy. And the crocus-es and wild iris already peeking up got a good feeding of bunny poo, which made them happy as well. This is February! In Michigan! I just might have to fire up the Bar-B-Q tonite! Hoping wherever you live that you are enjoying your days equally as well as the Santinis!

Othello ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Othello," 6" x 8", Golden Open Acrylics on Raymar panel, commissioned equine portrait, private collection (THANK YOU!), and the last of my commissioned holiday pieces. Yesterday was my shipping deadline for the holiday, after which the studio slides into a more indulgent frame of mine. This week I shipped out 14 paintings to new homes (including Othello, above). I'm more than ready to kick back. I have several weeks without commissions ahead of me, my reward for sticking it through the year. Now I'm painting purely for myself, working out ideas that have been simmering all year and trying out new things. It'll set the stage for a new year and new beginnings. But meanwhile, if you want to get on the bus and commission something for 2011, please let me know. I'm getting plans made and the route planned and would love you and your pet to be a part of it! Thanks for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family - Happy holidays - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Tuck a Gift Certificate Under The Tree Looking for a last minute gift? A certificate for a pet portrait is a great idea that will give the recipient the opportunity to participate in the portrait process, resulting in a painting they will cherish for years to come. Paintings start at $200, sketches $29. Email me for more information.

Still Life With Black Horse ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

Here is one of my all-time favorite paintings, "Still Life With Black Horse," 10" x 24", acrylics on gallery stretched canvas, $479. I have loved this one since the moment I shot the reference photo and began painting in my mind's eye. "Still Life" has been exhibited and won numerous awards. It even earned me the moniker of "The Lady Who Paints Horse's Butts." (By the way, there is a PG and an R rated version of this nickname.) But it is still looking for a home. Might that be yours? (email me if so!) The painting is a great shape and can be tucked into a smaller space very easily - but don't be fooled. It has a strong presence and will become a conversation starter. "Is that a horse's butt?" Just imagine your snappy comeback! Since today I am a slave to the book manuscript, I figured that I would share one of my favs. You can see a larger version/view here. Enjoy!! Thanks for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Can You Hear the Flies Buzzing? When this painting hung in the studio, I swear there was always the drone of a horsefly. "Swish," 22" x 28", acrylics on gallery stretched canvas, $919. Another reason why I'm "The Lady Who Paints Horses Butts." This painting has been around the block as well, racking up all sorts of awards. "Swish" was also published in the inauguralRicheson 75 International Landscape & Exteriorspublication. But he's ready to settle down, now, and find a new home too. Please let me know if you are know of a good place! Inquiries may always come to me.

"Letting Go of Fear" oil painting by Kate Dardine

We all have fears that hold us back from the dreams we have. This painting is about letting go of the fears that stand in the way of growth – and the joy and confidence that a life without fear allows us. 16x20, framed in wide black wood frame. Click here for more info.

www.katedardine.com

July's Virtual pARTY - Kimberly Kelly Santini

"A Full Belly (Marni in Foal)," a Dog a Day painting from the July Virtual pARTy, 8" x 10", equine painting, acrylic on canvasboard, $449. Inquiries may come to me.

 

This is Marni, who I met several years ago as part of a lovely spring photo shoot. She was days away from dropping her first foal, but nevertheless delighted to soak up even more attention (something she definately wasn't starved for!). I have a mess of photos from that evening, and chose one of them as the inspiration for the July Virtual pARTy hosted by equine artist Linda Shantz and myself.

 

What's a Virtual pARTy? It's when a group of artists collectively works from the same reference. In this case, participants have 24 hours to make art with a 4 day window of time to complete those 24 hours. All the pARTy entries will be shared on the pARTy blog later next week. But meanwhile, there's a number of us who are working away in our studios, painting the lovely Marni.

 

I'll have to hook Marni's family up with the Virtual pARTy site. I know they will get a kick of of viewing all the art their little lady inspired.

 

(Hey, if you are interested in participating yourself, there is still time - work is due by midnight on July 4th - sign up here)

 

Wishing everyone a safe and sparkley weekend. Happy 4th of July!!

Kim Santini

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Jumper Flatwork Painting

I have been laying really low these days so I apologize for my lack of updates. Been feeling icky with this Lyme disease. Here is the much delayed finish to the jumper painting. Titled Flatwork it measures 10 x 8 and is acrylic on canvas board. Check out the previous post for the story behind this piece of art. This one is available for sale. To purchase click the following and you will be directed to my website for a safe and secure transaction. Price is $80 and includes Priority Mail shipping and insurance. Purchase Flatwork