Tulip in a Field of Dandelions *sold

Now this was fun to paint. In the spirit of my Modern Scandinavian series I painted this 8" x 24" acrylic painting with bright primary colors set off by sky blues and ivory. It is amazing how one little piece can change an entire room but somehow this little piece adds a playfulness to it's surroundings. 

I did a lot of overpainting with Tulip in a Field of Dandelions to give it a textile or embroidered feel. By continuing the geometric shapes around the edges it adds to the playfulness of the piece.

Tulip in a Field of Dandelions is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN | 218-547-3729

Weaving Bittersweet - *SOLD

I stopped counting how many bittersweet paintings I have done. ..they are just so much fun. This is a tiny little 5"x5" acrylic painting stretched over 1.5" stretcher bars to give it a nice presence.

Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $40.00 - 218-547-3729

Aspen Ridge - watercolor - *SOLD

Aspen Ridge is a 8" x 10" watercolor painting on 140 Lb watercolor paper. While hiking in the mountains near Butte, Montana I came across a group of Aspens growing out of boulders on the side of the mountain. I have been excited to paint this scene ever since. I'll probably paint this scene in acrylic too. 

Pebeo makes a masking fluid that makes watercolor painting a lot of fun. In the 3 stage photo I am showing the process of using the masking fluid, removing it to expose the white spaces and then filling in to finish the painting.

Aspen Ridge is 15" x 19" framed and available at Peculiar Painter for $76.00

Graphite Sketch series - *SOLD

I like when someone has a vision for their walls that involves original artwork. Recently a young women came into the shop and took to some of my graphite sketches. I had 3 sketches framed in simple modern black frames and rough sketched borders. She chose 1 of these pieces and made a request that I sketch 5 more pieces in various shapes and sizes. She left it up to me to choose the subject and shapes of the pieces. So far I have created these 3. Two out of the three were chosen and I have 3 more to create. 

I always enjoy working with special requests and try to get a feel for the personality of the person the artwork is for. It is nice when requests come with little restriction because it opens the doors to create. 

The Classic

I very rarely paint the same subject twice but this rod and reel has called to be painted a second time...and just might be painted a third and forth. My Grandfather's old rod and reel has a classic good feel to it. That might be because I know he once carried it on his way to the boat and his favorite fishing holes. I feel like this classic reel has stories to share.

This little watercolor is 6" x 10" - painted on 140 lb watercolor paper. Framed - $78 or unframed for $38. Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. 218-547-3729

From Sea to Shining Sea *SOLD

From Sea to Shining Sea was inspired by many different sources. The obvious source is the American flag.  I bought a beautiful American flag years ago. The flag is sewn with beautiful detail and uses gorgeous fabric with rich color. Each time I see this flag it fills me with joy. I have traveled to other counties and enjoy the visits but ALWAYs feel blessed to call the United States home.

Another source of inspiration is a paint from Winsor and Newton's Artist's Acrylic line called Perylene Green. The color has a nostalgic tone straight from the tube. Mixed with white or ochre it becomes a calming aqua tone. Since green is the compliment of red it really enhances the red of the flag.

The size of a canvas helps me choose the subject. When this 37" x 37" canvas came to me I wanted to paint something really special, with a personal meaning. I turned 37 in October and a good friend sent me this wonderful canvas. I thought that the gift of a custom blank canvas was ideal to celebrate a birthday. The gift was so thoughtful and full of inspiration.

Thank you to Tyga for modeling for this piece. Tyga's classic beauty has inspired a series of paintings.

Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN 218-547-3729  -SOLD

Bright Bittersweet *SOLD

Bright Bittersweet is the newest addition to the bittersweet family of paintings. This one is full of complimentary colors playing off of each other to really convey the bright pop of the bittersweet berries.

This piece is 9"x12" - acrylic on canvas, an original painting by Jessie Townsdin. Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN 

218-547-3729

GreatMother Oak *SOLD

GreatMother Oak was inspired by a giant oak tree on my Grandmother's property that I never noticed until this summer. It seems impossible to miss such a tall, majestic tree that reaches for what looks like miles...but I did. She is the quiet, wise, motherly Oak that doesn't call attention to herself until you look up and see her soul reaching out to keep the forest in balance. 

This piece was also inspired by a paint made by Amsterdam called Sky Blue Light. I have decided to break out of my usual Winsor and Newton palette and try some other paints. I was happy with this one...so happy that I used an entire 120 ml tube. Of course this is a large piece and does require a LOT of paint.

GreatMother Oak is 36" x 48" acrylic on stretched deep edge canvas. Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN

Thriving in the Shade *SOLD

This is NOT my usual palette but I was inspired by a red fern I came across the other day. It was a cold gray day and I went for a walk to get some fresh air. The light frost made a beautiful white crystal layer on the vegetation and froze this fern into a beautiful swirl. I decided to go with a dark blue layer for the outline rather than the white frost to give it more depth. I carried the colors of the fern into the background giving it an intense red, orange, umber and almost copper tone (although there are not metallics used in this painting). 

Thriving in the Shade is a 10" x 20" acrylic painting on stretched canvas. Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $160

Slalom Summers - *SOLD

Slalom Summers is a commissioned piece. One of my favorite customers, at my gallery Peculiar Painter, commented on my painting titled Lean into it saying, "I want this painting but of a woman in a bikini and she should be leaning into it the spray more, like my daughter does." She told me about her daughter's beautiful and skillful waterskiing and later brought me a photo of her skiing. She is indeed a graceful, strong and beautiful skier. We decided on a size which was a little smaller than my first painting. The final piece is 36" x 36" acrylic painting on stretched canvas. This was a lot of fun to paint. I enjoy working with a vision someone has for a piece. This one required many many layers and I am happy with the final piece. In fact...I'm not sure I want to let it go.

Path to the Sunnyside *sold

This tiny little painting makes me smile. It is based on a road that leads to my favorite pottery studio. The road was once lined by huge cedar trees. The summer of 2007 brought a big wind storm which took down some of these beauties but I took a photo before the storm and this painting is my interpretation of that bright little road that leads up to Sunnyside Pottery.

Path to the Sunnyside is a small 5" x 5" acrylic painting on a 2" thick stretched canvas.
Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, Minnesota for $50

Winter Berries *sold

As we move into the colder months I am noticing little red berries appearing to decorate the woods. Nature loves to decorate from season to season.

 This small 9"x12" acrylic painting is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $55.00

Dappled Light *sold

I painted this little 9"x12" acrylic painting while on vacation in Montana. The weather was a perfect sunny 65 degrees, the mountains were inviting and the energy was just right to paint a happy little colorful piece. 

Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $52.00

Symphony of Trees *sold

This 26" x 36" impressionist painting is the sister painting to "Rise and Shine" which I finished 2 weeks ago.  Symphony of Trees is a vertical format painting with more cool reds to contrast the deep yellows. This grouping of trees was inspired by a gorgeous fall hike out at Shingobee forest in Walker, Minnesota.

Symphony of Trees is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, Minnesota 

Sweet Bittersweet - *SOLD

This little tiny bittersweet painting is only 5" x 7" but it makes a big statement with it's bold bright colors.

Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, Minnesota. $36.00

A little bit of Bittersweet *sold

I warned you...I love to paint bittersweet. I painted this bittersweet piece with cooler greyish tones to really make the orange and red berries pop. The canvas size is a nice narrow 8" x 24" which makes it perfect for a narrow entryway or side wall that needs a little color.
Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, Minnesota. $150.00

Light-Footed *sold

I had some help naming this 8" x 24" painting. After completing it I asked "what does it make you feel?" The response was, "It makes me feel like a walk in the woods. I feel light footed like a good day out in the fall colors." And there we have the title "Light Footed". This piece is narrow with a big presence.

Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, Minnesota for $145.00
218-547-3729

Oak Tree Accessories *sold

This funny little 12" x 12" painting was inspired by a walk in the woods...as are many of my paintings. I was thinking about the changes a tree goes through during the seasons and about the adornments that call attention to a certain tree. The Oak tree has its distinct rounded leaves. When it comes to acorns... they just feel like an accessory. The Oak tree jewelry. So here we have the light and colorful Oak Tree Earrings.

This piece is 12" x 12" acrylic on canvas. Available at Peculiar Painter for $55.00

Nature Makes Shoes for Lil Ladies

This was a fun stylized painting with all it's mingling lines and layers of color. This year we had an abundance of beautiful Lady Slipper.  I just wanted to pick em....since they are protected....by the fairies that own them...and the State of Minnesota...I decided to paint them.

Nature Makes Shoes for Lil Ladies is an 18" x 24" acrylic painting on a beautiful rich linen canvas, stretched over 1.5" stretcher bars. She is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $260.00.  218-547-3729

Rise and Shine - hanging in my studio

Please see caption in the next post for more information on this piece.

Rise and Shine - acrylic on canvas *sold

Rise and Shine is a large 30" x 40" acrylic painting on 1.5" stretched canvas. I started this painting before the leaves were turning colors and finished it just as the leaves are doing their autumn color dance. It has been awhile since I've painted with an impressionist style optical mixing and pointillism. I thought this style would work well for the bright light and color of autumn birch trees. The painting changes dramatically from tungsten light to natural light. Here it is photographed in natural shade. I will include a photo of it hanging in a tungsten setting. Please click on the photo to enlarge the piece and see the optical mixing which is hard to see when standing at a distance but adds a nice mixed color and light effect.

Rise and Shine is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3729

Bittersweet Dance *sold

This just might be my most painted subject...next to fly fishing scenes. Bittersweet berries and vines have so much character and color to them that I never get tired of painting them, sort of like eating Thai food. yum.

This bittersweet painting leans more toward the grayish green side with bright pops of yellows, orange and red. It is acrylic on stretched canvas and measures 10" x 20" over thick 1.5" stretcher bars. This pieces is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $110. 

218-547-3729

Marina View

Marina View is a small 8" x 13.5" graphite and watercolor painting on 140 Lb. watercolor paper.  

Light Winds

Light Winds is a graphite drawing on 80 Lb. acid free paper. This piece was inspired years ago by a co-worker who had an upscale and elegant style. She was a pro at layering pieces to create beautiful lines. Since I love to paint and draw clothing, this outfit, with all its great lines and layers really caught my attention. Miranda humored me with a photo shoot in a nearby field. This is the first sketch based on that day. Although I didn't quite capture Miranda, I think you can see the layering and grace which were the inspirations for more pieces. 

Misty Morning Cast

Some sketches are the first step before a painting. With some sketches I decide the sketch is more powerful left as a sketch. That is the case with this one. Using the CARAN d ACHE technalo graphite I was able to give the sketch a light wash to add some flow and a sense of a misty morning. This graphite is a lot of fun. I am considering adding a natural pastel base to this one but will most likely leave it as it is.

12" x 12" graphite technalo on 140 Lb watercolor paper.

Bittersweet Vine *sold

It is Bittersweet season and I have a new batch of Bittersweet branches and vines for inspiration.  This is the latest in my series of Bittersweet paintings. This piece is a square 12" x 12" acrylic painting on canvas over 1.5" stretcher bars.

Bittersweet Vine is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, Minn. or online at my Etsy shop.

More Necklaces

2 more necklaces have grown up and are ready for picking this month. I call the one on the left "artistic eccentric". The necklace on the right is titled "good soil". These are thinner and more delicate than the previous batch. The colors are warm earth tones. These will be on Etsy today and in store right now at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN.

New Fall Necklaces - Hand painted

It's Fall and that means it is time for a new batch of Fall necklaces. See more information and necklace names in the following post.

Hand painted Porcelain necklaces. Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN and on Etsy starting Sept. 5th

Fall Harvest 2013 - hand painted necklaces

It's Fall and that means new Fall necklaces. This is my first batch in Autumn colors. More are in the works and should be ready to pick in the next couple of weeks. 

Hand painted Porcelain necklaces with double strand leather cord and gold clasps. These will be available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN and on Etsy starting tomorrow. $24.55 each

Purity of Heart *SOLD

Can anyone help but think of Monet's "Water Lilies" paintings when you see a lily pad or a water lily? His paintings really struck me when I saw the massive water lilies at the art museum in St. Louis years ago.

 I came across this pristine water lily in a harbor a few weeks ago. She sat next to a docked sailboat. I contemplated painting a portion of the sailboat as well but decided the lily needed her space.

The title "New Take on a Classic" is in reference to lily pads being the a sign of the Impressionist era. It is an Ode to the inspiration the Masters provide for us today.

New Take on a Classic is an original 30" x 30" acrylic painting on stretched canvas. Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. 

Rain Maker *SOLD

I have had the idea for this piece for a long time. Why would anyone water the water? I don't know but it sounds like fun. What else is fun? Well red rain boots and stripes of course. Naturally I had to combine them all. I created this piece using a combination of graphite and pastels. The effect is light and free.

Rain Maker is 14" x 14" 

Generations

I was lucky enough to witness this scene 6 years ago when my Brother in Law took my Nephew  fishing. Gavin was so proud to be going fishing with Dad. They may have been heading to a river in the actual moment but I gave the moment a little twist by having them head to the lake and an old fashioned, hand crafted boat like Grandpa used to make. 

The size of the piece is 18 x 24" before it was framed. The medium is watercolor. Professionally framed - $355.00 and available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN

Modern Scandinavia II - watercolor

I was serious about being in a Scandinavian painting mood. This little 4" x 16" watercolor is painted on 140 LB watercolor paper. I used pebeo drawing gum to mask of certain areas in order to keep the painting clean with defined lines. 

Modern Scandinavia *sold

Just when you thought you recognized my painting style ...I go and switch it up. Call it Scandinavian influence, call it abstract, call it Norwegian totem ...actually I like that - Norwegian Totem. I was thinking of the Spanish tapestries I have admired but wanted to create more of a Scandinavian feel. After researching Swedish and Norwegian design, I took in some of the elongated sculptures and bright colors that represent some of my favorite elements of Scandinavian design. AND...this is what I came up with. I hope you like it because I have a few more like this in me.

Acrylic on canvas - 10" x 30" - 1.5" deep with painted edges. Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN - $165.00
by Jessie Townsdin

A Good Day on the Lake

The Leech Lake Regatta was last weekend. I always enjoy seeing the marina fill up with sailboats in the evening and fill the bay with color in the afternoon. This little 6" x 10" watercolor painting is based on one of the scenes as a sailor came in from a day of sailing. The sailor looked exhausted but quite content.

The final piece is 9" x 13" framed. Watercolor and graphite on 140 lb watercolor paper. Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN.

Weightless II

Weightless II is a small 8" x 10" painting on cradled panel. I don't think a description of this one is necessary. ...it is abstract after all. I want you to see what you see in it. I want you to feel the colors and hopefully they take you to a good place. 

Bittersweet Branch *sold

I just cannot get enough of the bold bittersweet colors. This is my 5th bittersweet painting and I know I have more in me. I used a 10" x 30" canvas for this piece. This size was calling for a winding long branch and so came the bittersweet branch.

10" x 30" acrylic on canvas. By Jessie Townsdin

Breakwater View *sold

Breakwater view is a 12" x 12" watercolor and graphite painting on 140 lb watercolor paper. The paintings of Winslow Homer have been inspiring me lately. His style of  loosely sketching a figure followed by a light wash of color are some of my favorite paintings. This is my take on the Winslow style. 

I used Caran d'ACHE graphite combined with M. Graham watercolors here.

Headwaters of the Mississippi *sold

Headwaters of the Mississippi was inspired by a photograph I came across of my Great Grandmother standing at the Mississippi headwaters in Itasca State Park. I thought of how the headwaters of the Mississippi really have not changed in physical appearance over the years but our style of dress has, as you can tell by the modest dress. It is fun to imagine all of the generations who have stood at these headwaters and thought of the ones who stood there before them. Itasca has a great historic energy that keeps us coming back.

Headwaters of the Mississippi is graphite and watercolor on 140 lb watercolor paper

Fine Tuned *sold

We are nearing the start of the 2013 Leech Lake Regatta and judging by the amount of sailboats filling the bay already, a few are practicing. I was sitting on the Walker Bay dock watching a few of the boats, the other day,  and this one struck me as a finely tuned vessel. The Captan was relaxed and obviously at one with his boat. I am looking forward to more boats filling the Bay this weekend.

Fine Tuned is an 11" x 11" graphite and watercolor painting.
Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. 

Harvest *sold

The colorful crops and vivacious leaves of Autumn were my inspiration for this piece titled Harvest. Harvest is a 16" x 16" acrylic painting on stretched canvas.

Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN - original.