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

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

Baby Steps

"Baby Steps," 10" x 5-3/4", acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a Gypsy Vanner mare and new foal, $399 to the first one to email. In process photos are here. I needed a breath of spring in the studio today, so I spoiled myself with some bright green grass. And indulged in another favorite of mine - black and white. Which as you know isn't really black or white. But that green? It is most definately green. Horses courtesy of Mt Christie Gypsy Horses, which I visited two springs ago with a friend, just days after this little one hit the ground.  Is it possible to have spring fever in early February? I'm in for a long couple of months if so..... Thanks for following along with my artwork,  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

Saratoga ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

IN PROCESS, and untitled, 24" x 6", track scene from the early, early morning at Saratoga Race Track.  Inspired by many a morning spent hanging on the rail, listening to the horses and riders gallop past. This is acrylics on museum quality panel and will be for sale when finished - inquiries can come to moi!    I started this one last nite, and it proceeded along with a wee bit of drama - pics are on Facebook - I had planned to be done by now, but what can I do?   Thanks for following along, 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

Anyone's Race ~~ by Kimberly Kelly Santini

 

"Anyone's Race (was yesterday's Bunched Up)," 7" x 12", a painting in process of a field of Thoroughbreds (12 of them!), done in acrylics on a museum quality panel. $549 to the first asking nicely.

 

Inspired by a series of photos I shot on the backside at Saratoga last summer - standing nearly opposite the starting gate at the outer rail. These horses are on their second leap - it could be anyone's race.

 

LOTS of in process pics are on the studio Facebook page.

 

Many thanks, too, to everyone who bid on the horse paintings I auctioned off in the first part of the week.

 

Thanks for following along,

Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

 

PS If you didn't hear - I got an iPhone!! finally!!

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

Slop ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Slop," 7" x 15", depicting a field of Thoroughbred race horses nearing the first turn at Saratoga Race Track, done in acrylics on museum quality panel, $529 to the firstasking nicely. Please works well.     In process pics are on the studio facebook page.   I literally stood in the pouring rain to get this reference photo. I was seriously waterlogged, no exaggeration. We're talking plastered hair, damp undergarments and puddles INSIDE my shoes. And while I am disappointed that the painting does not convey exactly HOW wet the conditions were, I do find other redeeming qualities in the piece.   "Slop" is headed to Spa Fine Art, my gallery in Saratoga, New York, as part of the track's impressive 150th birthday celebration this summer.   Unless you need this painting on your wall Right Now. In which case, email me and I'll make that happen.   Thanks as always for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com