About Kimberly Santini

From the moment Kimberly Kelly Santini discovered the power of a line she was hooked on art.  Granted, initial drawings were in crayon on household walls, so first "reviews" weren't the most pleasant.  But the power implied in a simple line - the power of making art - reeled her in from the start.  Lines created things she could not immediately hold in her hands and enabled her imagination to come to life.  

Santini has pursued a knowledge of the arts her entire life.  She has a BFA in Painting, a BA in Art History, has worked for the J. Paul Getty Trust, was employed by a fine art auction house, and has interned, studied and continues to learn from incredibly gifted artists. 

She pares her subject matter down to the bare essentials - personality, attitude and bold color.  By employing unusual cropping and perspective, exploring boundaries between lost/found edges and exaggerating natural colors and values, the subject's presence is dramatically heightened.  It is not uncommon to actually "hear" her paintings breathing.

Santini is influenced by artists with confident brushwork, solid draftsmanship and an astute color sensibility.  She counts among her favorite such artists as John Singer Sargent, Robert Henri, Janet Fish, Vincent Van Gogh, Carol Marine, Stuart Shils and Katie Upton.

Bold with layered color and dancing brushwork, her delightful paintings are a proud focal point in many private and corporate collections.  Her daily painting project "Painting a Dog a Day" includes commissions booked months in advance.  Studio philanthopy raises thousands of dollars annually for animal welfare programs, and the artist volunteers her time an energy for a variety of animal-related non-profits.

Art is woven into the fabric of her every day - when not in the studio, she teaches creative journaling, mentors beginning artists, leads painting workshops, pursues her own continued education, is the Director of the Canine Art Guild and acts as an arts advocate within her community.

In 2015, Santini was honorably chosen as the Official Kentucky Derby Artist, continuing to gain recognition and collectors from around the world.