Featured Artist Kimberly Santini

Ethereal figures emerge from dreamlike backgrounds in these paintings by artist Kimberly Santini. See more of her fascinating portfolio by visiting her website.

 

 

I have always been a painter, even when life circumstances dictated otherwise. At thirty-six I left an unsatisfying career path under the pretense of becoming a stay-at-home mom. To help ease the transition, my studio was boxed up six years prior to make room for a nursery, and was unpacked into the only available space, which was the kitchen.

 

 

Thus began my second career working from home as a full-time parent and artist.

 

 

Suddenly there I was, carving out small blocks of painting time, and keeping little fingers out of wet paint between loads of laundry and diaper changes. At first, painting was an outlet. But via word of mouth, commissions began trickling in.

 

 

It seemed like a good idea at the time to sell a few pieces when I could and contribute to the household finances. While the kids napped, I taught myself how to build a website, found an online group of artists for networking, and began listing work on ebay. When the kids were older, I painted during school hours and late into the night, as needed, to meet my deadlines.

 

 

I started out with pet portraiture, hung a couple of solo shows and received some fantastic press. As the creator of my “Painting a Dog a Day” blog, I completed 3-5 commissioned pet portraits weekly from 2007 until 2014.

 

 

Today, I continue the practice of daily painting and maintain the blog. My work is eagerly collected around the world. I have a painting in the American Kennel Club collection and was the official artist of the 2015 Kentucky Derby. I have gallery representation across the United States and actively exhibit and teach.

 

 

Having lived most of my adult life with a paintbrush in my hand (or head), my paintings grew over the years right alongside my family.

 

 

Making art from the heart of a household has infused my imagery with a deep human connection. Every day that I pick up my brushes I do so in a place where family and compassion have thrived. This balance of personal life and muse has allowed me to tap into a creative process that weaves everyday experiences with the history of (my) human experience.

 

 

Rather serendipitously, my new work reflects the intersection of my daughter’s life and mine. I will soon be an empty nester as she and her brothers set off “adulting.” My recent figurative and equine paintings happen at the crossroads of “she and me”–her life revealing itself as mine is revisited and unfurled yet again.

 

 

This plays out amidst an unsettling political climate, a world ripped apart by conflict, women speaking up in ever bolder voices and a population starved for connection. There’s so much for me to look forward to painting.

 

Artist Kimberly Santini invites you to follow her on Facebook, Instagram and her Blog.

 

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