Fluid Motion

Fluid Motion is the result of visualizing an image and being in the right place at the right time. I have been wanting to paint a single rower for about a year now and the opportunity to take photos - for inspiration - arrived last month. The sport of rowing is such a graceful and all around athletic sport. I didn't realize exactly how important balance and timing were to the sport until I witnessed a beginner attempt the sport and then see the difference when an experienced rower took over. 

I first envisioned a graphite sketch but after sketching out the piece I decided a simple 2 tone ink piece would balance the flow of the water with the stability of the rower. The sketch took some time but the process of brushing on the ink was very fast. I started with the red layer and over painted with cool grey - leaving the white of the watercolor paper to represent the glimmer of light on water.  Something about acrylic ink on watercolor paper or hand made paper has a richness the appeals to me. 

Fluid Motion is a 12" square painting using FW ink and a touch of Chinese watercolor on 140 lb. watercolor paper. It is at the framer and will be available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN soon. | 218-547-3729

Raised Wild

So…. it is possible …I painted a poisonous weed but they were so interesting - I couldn't resist. I discovered this plant in a field on a winter day. The flower skeleton was crystalized with little snowflake droplets making it look like a magical field of wishes. For this painting - I painted the plant in a warmer grayish/ocher/sage/sky blue setting. I was going for a soft and soothing piece.

Raised wild is a 12"x36" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with 1.5" thick stretcher bars and painted edges. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $275.00 | 218-547-3729

Sunflower Sweetness *SOLD

Sunflower Sweetness is a mixed media piece - a result of testing out new art materials. I started out with a graphite sketch, added some Derwent Inktense washes and then tried a Chinese watercolor layer - using Yasutomo watercolors. The Chinese watercolor layer had some bubbling so I used this texture to hold a Prismacolor Nupastel layer of blue. The final product - I think you will agree - is a very bright little sunflower piece

Sunflower Sweetness is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. The final piece is 6"x17"on 140 lb. watercolor paper. | 218-547-3729

With the Wind *SOLD

I photographed this dancer at a pow-wow in 2007.  At only about 7 years old he already looked like he knew who he was. He had confidence and style about him. In the past I have sketched him dancing but decided this time to sketch his walk. I started out with just the boy walking and then added the path around him. I used very simple lines. 

As I thought about a title for the piece my friend Larry came to mind. Larry is a midwesterner with a farm in Iowa. When he's not covered in wood chips, charcoal soot, or dust from projects, he is dressed with style and confidence. Larry once told me that his name didn't suit him. I asked what name he would chose for himself - he said, "I don't know - I need to find out what the Lakota translation for With the Wind - would be" I have called him With the Wind since. I think With the Wind and this little dancer have a similar presence about them.

With the Wind is a 8" x 18" graphite sketch on 140 lb. paper. 

Dock-sitter *SOLD

Some of my favorite things are represented in this simple watercolor. I contemplated painting the woman fishing and then decided she would be content to dip her toes in the water and watch the incoming boat. Perhaps the boat is picking her up to go fishing? I wanted the dock to feel like a classic wood dock with solar lanterns above. I also wanted the woman to look timeless, elegant - a classic beauty. 

Dock-sitter is an 11"x14" painting on 140 lb. watercolor paper. I used graphite and payne's gray watercolor for this piece. It is framed in a simple 16"x20" black wood frame with off-white mat board. Dock-sitter is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $76.00 framed | 218-547-3729

Milkweed Tales *SOLD

As I painted Monarch Sanctuary - an acrylic painting on canvas - I thought the same subject would be fun to paint as a watercolor. I started out this watercolor in pale grey, washed blues and ochers but it took a turn for a brighter palette as I continued. Many transparent colors layer in this piece. I used a combination of loose washes - for the background - and tight detail for the front pods. 

The final size will be approximately 22"x26" framed and matted. Milkweed Tales will be available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $315.00

October Paddle *SOLD

October Paddle was inspired by a beautiful evening, a man (my husband) and his fishing rod, a canoe with ties to Minnesota and the reflection that a steady stroke makes on a calm lake. 

I have had this painting in mind for some time and finally had the right subject to paint. As with all my paintings, I started out with a sketch in paint - an underpainting. This portion came along fast as I was anxious to get this image down in paint. My husband says that he must inspire me - which he does. The layers happened over several weeks as I added many colors and details. I wanted the water to be just as much a part of the painting as the movement of the canoe. 

October Paddle is a 30" x 40" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with 1.5" thick stretcher bars and painted edges. Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN | 218-547-3729