Birch Tree Beehive [photo, watercolor and acrylic paintings]

When asked to paint a commissioned piece, I always think about the piece before I commit. I listen to what the piece is to represent and whether or not my style will work for the painting. When Loretta mentioned a beehive nestled in the birch trees at her cabin, I was immediately interested. I was so curious to see the beehive, she had described, that I arrived to take photos the next day.

Not only was the beehive great inspiration to paint, but the setting of Bill and Loretta's cabin was warm and welcoming. They invited me to sit, put a gin n tonic in my hand and told stories of cabin life, family and Minnesota. I was so taken with the stories that I nearly forgot to take photos while there was still light outside. At the end of my visit I was given a, fresh baked, bag of molasses cookies and sent on my way to paint.

I couldn't decide whether watercolor of acrylic would work best in their home and since I found the subject fun to paint…I painted one of each. The watercolor is 8" x 16" on 140 lb arches cold press paper. The acrylic piece is 8"x24" on stretched canvas. Now it's time to see if either of these is what they had in mind. 

Branching Out - SOLD

Branching Out is a small study of a larger painting I plan to create this fall.  This little 9"x12" painting was inspired by a row of healthy birch trees in northern Minnesota. 

I recently started using a Phthalo Blue as my painting sketch under layer. This, brighter blue, brings out my colors in a new way and I find myself using more oranges and greens to play off the brilliant blue. The large painting might have more greens and yellows in it but this little piece called for cooler blue tones.

Branching Out is framed in a natural floater frame and available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $86.00 | 218-547-3729

Guardians of the Path II *SOLD

Recently…yesterday…I was inspired by a pastel artist and decided to give the messy medium another try.  I would love to say that the pastel dust and mess doesn't get to me…but….it does. Pastels are wonderful for their rich tone and texture and working from dark to light is satisfying but I can't get over the bright dust covering everything. SO…for now… I'm putting em away…again. Pastels your are fun but apparently I am not a free enough spirit to embrace the mess you make.

Guardians of the Path II is a pastel drawing on 140 lb watercolor paper. It is framed and set on a background of handmade paper. The final size is 14"x16". This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $115.00 [framed]  | 218-547-3729

Bittersweet - Storm Grey *SOLD

Every once n awhile a stormy grey day hits just right and you feel perfectly content to enjoy an afternoon cuddled up inside with candles, paintbrush and tea. That's how I was feeling with Bittersweet - Storm Grey.

Bittersweet - Storm Grey is a 9"x12" acrylic painting on stretched canvas. It is framed in a natural floater frame with black inset. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $82.00 [framed] | 218-547-3729

Bittersweet - Fall Crisp *SOLD

With my 3rd Bittersweet painting, in 2 days, I decided to try some new color combinations. Bittersweet can be spotted, the best, during the late summer or early fall. This painting feels like the transition from summer to fall when the leaves are just turning from brilliant green to yellows.

Bittersweet - Fall Crisp is a 9"x12" acrylic painting on stretched canvas. It is framed in a floater frame with black inset and natural frame. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $82.00 [framed] | 218-547-3729

Bittersweet - Cobalt Turquoise *SOLD

Oranges, reds and cobalt turquoise play against each other with this Bittersweet painting.  I also used a textured background for this 10"x10" canvas to give the piece the illusion of having more depth.

Bittersweet - Cobalt Turquoise is a 10"x10" acrylic painting on stretched canvas and is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $65.00 | 218-547-3729

Bittersweet Classic *SOLD

This little 6"x6" Bittersweet painting is starting to feel like my signature painting. I just love these berries and enjoy painting them. Since I have requests for more of them, I am pleased to keep on painting em! 

Bittersweet Classic is a 6"x6" acrylic painting on stretched canvas and is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $38.00 | 218-547-3729

Change *SOLD

Subtle Change is a calming painting with light variations of yellows,  grays and blues. I stayed away from bright pops of color with this piece in order to give it a peaceful and relaxing tone. I did add a few shades of orange to bring out the blue  and tie in the yellows here.

Subtle Change is a 9"x12" acrylic painting on stretched canvas and is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $64.00 | 218-547-3729

Scandinavian Garden - Playful Blooms *SOLD

I had some fun with watercolor paint and this playful little piece. In the tradition of my Scandinavian Garden series I over-exaggerated the flower shapes and used bright colors to play off of the dancing shapes. 

Scandinavian Garden - Playful Blooms is a 8" x14" watercolor on Arches 140 lb watercolor paper. This piece will be available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN after it is framed. | 218-547-3729