Paintings With Soul

18"x24" posters available for $25 each plus $15 s&h. Posters will be shipped in tubes mid June. Orders must be received and paid in full by May 17th, 2014. Questions may come to me. Orders are now being accepted for this year's Broadway Dance Studio Commemorative Poster. Proceeds benefit their Competition Dance Team's trip to a Nationals convention and competition this summer. Posters are only available until May 17th, 2014. Thanks for following along with my artwork (and supporting the arts!), Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com 

"In the Wings," an 8"x10" portrait of The Princess from last year, acrylics on museum quality panel, $469. Inquiries may come to me . I'm leaving early today for a weekend dance competition with my daughter. She has her Dream Duffel packed and I have my Art Survival Kit.  I'll be watching for perfect moments like this (backstage at last Spring's recital) to turn into paint (and channel my inner Degas). In the meanwhile, I've created an album of my dance paintings - proceeds from reproductions, notecards and cell phone case sales go straight into The Princess's dance fund. And if you would like to talk about commissioning a portrait of your dancer, please, let me know . Thanks for following along with my artwork and supporting the arts, 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 .

    "Spotlight," 6" x 8", portrait of a young dancer, done in acrylics on museum quality panel, collection of the model.     This is Elizabeth's daughter - you remember  Elizabeth ? the one who drug me all over central Florida last week? - Well, her daughter Emilie is an accomplished and exquisite dancer. She turned out to be quite the muse as well.   While I was staying with them last week, Emilie, a freshman in high school, successfully auditioned for an apprenticeship in a professional dance troupe. She also invited me to her dance studio, where I met a few of her teammates and got to watch them perform.    Breathtaking.   Sadly, I left my camera back home. So the lovely photo inspiring this painting was provided courtesy of  Douglas Nelson Photography . I say this all the time, but please make sure you have the photographer's explicit permission to create derivative art from their work. Tha...

    "Warrior Princess," 6" x13", portrait of my daughter and friends, acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a scene from their group ballet number of the same title, collection of The Princess.   I wish wish wish wish wish wish wish wish I had paid better attention in my life drawing classes many moons ago. Because now this sort of stuff - drawing my kids doing the things they love - would be so much easier.   In process pictures are on  the studio's Facebook page  along with.....   The Dog a Day Valentine's Day Giveaway finalists !   Go take a peek and see if you can predict who I'm going to paint on Thursday (honestly, I don't know yet!!)   Fondly,  Kim, who wants to start a new painting now but her calendar is full of other things. Wah.  

    IN PROCESS:  "Warrior Princess," 6" x13", an ongoing portrait of The Princess and her partners in crime (yet to be added to the piece), done in acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a group of ballerinas I've grown to love, collection of The Princess.   I spent the weekend at my second dance competition, surrounded by the most fabulous costumes and music and elegance, and the whole time my hands itched to hold brushes and bring it all to life.   So tonite, after yet another snow day and a houseful of kiddos, I indulged.   I am sipping wine during the evening as I continue working on this piece (and hoping hoping hoping that everyone gets on the bus tomorrow morning!) - and I'll post lots of pictures to  the studio's Facebook page  (not of the victorious moment at the busstop, but of what plays out in the studio tonite). Thank you for following along.   And before I get 100 requests - t...

      "Dress Rehearsal," 8" x 12", acrylic on museum quality panel, depicting The Princess and a few cohorts in costume. This painting is not for sale.   I've uploaded plenty of in process pics  on the studio's Facebook page .   This is quite a diversion from my usual subject matter, I know, but spending a full day with these ladies earlier this week was too inspiring to let linger for long. I plan to do reproductions with this image as a fundraiser for her dance studio, so stay tuned.   And just you wait until I paint her "Warrior Princess" costume - a turquoise tutu topped with an embroidered magenta silk kimono.   Inquiries are always welcomed - shoot an email  in my direction . The Princess  joined a dance team over the summer, and this weekend marks her first competition.   So last nite and into the wee hours, instead of packing suitcases and inventorying cost...