River Grass *SOLD

River Grass has been a work in progress - until now. I originally sketched the piece in graphite. The subject of wild and ornamental grasses is one that I enjoy painting and sketching. I thought it was complete as a sketch but recently envisioned  it more dramatic with color and stripes. The final piece turned out just as I pictured and I'm hesitant to part with it.

River Grass is professionally framed and matted to a final size of 21" x 27" and is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. Artwork is brushed ink and graphite on 140 lb watercolor paper. $435.00

Day Dreamer

Day-Dreamer is inspired by a former co-worker of mine. Every detail of her apparel was well thought out with graceful lines. She was stylish but not trendy - classic but current. 

I sketched this piece in graphite months ago. Recently - I decided it needed color and added 3 colors of brushed ink over the graphite sketch. I used cool grey, red earth and sepia to complete the piece. 

Day Dreamer is a 13"x16" graphite and brushed ink painting on archival paper. It is for sale framed or unframed. The framing is not professional but attractive. Framed size is 17"x21". | 218-547-3729

Sun-Dress and Flip-Flops *not available

Sun-Dress and Flip-Flops was inspired by a scene I came across on my way to the post office. 2 years ago there was a young woman in a cute sun-dress spending an afternoon wandering around town with her dog by her side. I thought a graphite sketch and brushed ink would capture the moment best.

Sun-Dress and Flip-Flops is a 5"x10" brushed ink painting on 140 lb watercolor paper. It is professionally matted and framed to 8"x 14.5" and is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $89.00 | 218-547-3729

Bay View and Birch -SOLD

Blues of every variation make up the background of this painting. I wanted to give this piece a feeling of water and blue sky dancing off of each other on a warm fall day. Yellow against blue is my favorite color combination and the autumn colors lets me use this palette. The colorful bark of the birch tree stands out against the rich bay of blue. Many layers were painted to created this painting!

Bay View and Birch is a 24"x24" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with 1.5" thick stretcher bars and painted edges. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $575.00 | 218-547-3629

Modern Scandinavian Garden - Thistle II -SOLD

This bright little painting is a companion to Modern Scandinavian Garden Thistle I. Thistle, like allium, makes for a fun exaggerated subject. Add bright color with the fun shapes and you have a Modern Scandinavian Garden painting! I thought a little nuthatch would be a lively addition to the colorful piece.

Modern Scandinavian Garden Thistle II is a watercolor painting on 140 lb arches watercolor paper. It is framed to a final size of 7"x17" and available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $140.00 | 218-547-3729 

Set Sail *SOLD

Set Sail is a palette knife painting - created to set a mood of calm - a piece you can look into to relax and unwind. It is loose and somewhat abstract but I'm hoping it's viewers feel water, sunshine, freedom and movement from it. I want it to inspire thoughts of summer days with your feet bare and wind in your hair.

Set Sail is a 30"x10" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with painted edges and 1.5" thick stretcher bars. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $240.00 | 218-547-3729

Forest Decor - SOLD

Sometimes a piece starts with a frame - this was the case with Forest Decor. While in Appleton, WI - over my birthday - my husband and I planned on visiting inspiring places. We looked up galleries, shops and cafes that we had never been to and set out to see what they were all about. One of these places was Avenue Art. I was pleasantly surprised to see they had a nice frame shop that included several unique pre-cut frames that were made in house. This little beauty was one of my birth-day outing purchases.

When creating a brushed ink piece I like to limit my colors to give the piece a woodblock print feel. I wanted the birch trees to be crisp and clean. Since the frame was deep I was able to raise the artwork off of the background watercolor paper to give it a floating feel.

Forest Decor is 16" square framed. It is created with brushed ink on 140 lb. arches watercolor paper and available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $160.00 | 218-547-3729

Sweater Weather *SOLD

Sweater Weather was inspired by the sweeping branch of an Elm tree that caught my attention while out walking this fall. The shape was a graceful motion which sent me back to get my camera to capture the painting inspiration. 

I used a combination of layered brush strokes and color as well as palette knife for this piece. My palette was a combination of rich Golden acrylic and professional grade Winsor and Newton colors to really make the color vibrant and wet looking.

Sweater Weather is a 36"x36" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with 1.5" thick stretcher bars and painted edges. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN | 218-547-3729

Bittersweet Branches Intertwine

It's Bittersweet Season - and it's looking like a good one. Bright orange berries are dotting the forests and I'm on the lookout for inspiration. I love the freshly cut intertwining branches. The leaves don't last long - after it's cut - so I draw them as soon as I can. 

This little piece is brushed ink on 140 lb. watercolor paper. It is professionally framed to 15.5"x7" and available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $159.00 | 218-547-3729

Garden Harvest *SOLD

The temperature is just right for layering - hats, scarves, rich colors and warm fabrics are inspiring new paintings. This piece is inspired by graceful lines, happy gardens, baskets and fall colors. 

Garden Harvest is a brushed ink painting on 140 lb. watercolor paper. It is professionally framed and matted  to 10.5" x 16" and available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $180.00

Modern Scandinavian Garden - Thistle *SOLD

It's time for another colorful Modern Scandinavian watercolor. The bright thistle dotting the fields inspired this little whimsical piece. Over-exaggerated shapes and colors give this piece a Scandinavian feel. 

Modern Scandinavian Garden - Thistle is 9"x16" framed. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $160.00 | 218-547-3729

Water Trails *SOLD

I have had the image of this painting in mind for some time. I wanted a loose palette knife painting with detail focused on movement and the person canoeing - a meditative piece to relax the viewer and remind us of the joy water and nature brings. 

Water Trails is a 36"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 $1,200.00 | 218-547-3729

Dockside in a Red Coat *SOLD

My figurative mini series continues with this autumn scene of a women bundled up and enjoying the lake view as she holds her cup of coffee. Many Minnesotans should be able to relate to this scene.

This 5" square painting is watercolor on 140 lb arches cold press paper. It is framed in a subtle red frame and available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $82.00 | 218-547-3729

Modern Scandinavian Blooming Garden *SOLD

Sometimes you just need a little cobalt blue in your life...and goofy flowers to go along with it. This little watercolor is a simple ode to happy thoughts of bright sky and fresh blooms.

Modern Scandinavian Blooming Garden is framed in a simple modeled - custom - frame to compliment the modern Scandinavian feel. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $120.00 | 218-547-3729

Wildflower Sunshine *SOLD

Wildflower Sunshine is small watercolor inspired by little blooms dotting the ditches around northern Minnesota. These sweet lil sunnies dance around the summer fields and make a cheery setting for us walkers and wanderers.

Wildflower Sunshine is framed in my favorite modeled but simple custom frame and available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $89.00 | 218-547-3729

Sweet n Sassy Blooms *SOLD

This little 5" square painting was inspired by the delicate blooms that line the trails  and fields near our home. The already whimsical blooms became a little more colorful and playful using bright teal, cobalt and naples yellow.

Sweet n Sassy Blooms is a 5"x5" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with painted edges. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $69.00

Cattail Wishes & Red-Winged Songs -SOLD

I have had the vision for this painting for months. Usually when I picture exactly what I want to paint - the painting comes together very quickly. It has been nearly 2 months since I started this piece. It has also been almost 2 months since I had my sweet little baby boy. 

Time completely changes with a newborn. I am told they grow so fast and I should enjoy the snuggling baby stage - which I am! I keep telling myself that the need paint and be productive can wait - as I can't stop staring at this adorable little creature that wants to be held close. YET...the colors dance in my mind and I try to sneak a bit of painting in as he naps. ...but he catches me and my paint dries on the palette. Alas, a baby backpack and baby wrap have helped me out. Now I can paint - some - and hold him close! 

Cattail Wishes & Red-Winged Songs is a whimsical painting inspired by the fluffy cattails that fill our ponds and the beautiful song of the red-winged black bird that is often found visiting these ponds. I combined the light feel and bright colors of my Modern Scandinavian series with a thick palette knife layering to create a piece full of color, texture and light dancing on a pond. 

Cattail Wishes & Red-Winged Songs is a 24"x48" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with 1.5" thick stretcher bars and painted edges. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $875.00 | 218-547-3729

Coneflower Field *SOLD

Coneflower Field is a mixed media piece. I started with a graphite sketch - layered it with brushed ink - added a watercolor wash and finished it with a semi-transparent white ink wash for the background. The process took some time but I enjoyed the effect and have new ideas for future painting in this style.

Modern Scandinavian Garden Allium Globes -SOLD

What's more whimsical than giant Allium Globes and exaggerated daisies? In the spirit of my Modern Scandinavian Series - I created a new light piece with color and character.

Modern Scandinavian Garden Allium Globes is a 8"x24" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with painted edges and 1.5" thick stretcher bars. It is available at Peculiar Painter for $325.00

Under the Bright Blue Sky *SOLD

The power went out at our house last night which changed our evening plans from kicking back and watching a movie to building a bonfire and enjoying the perfect calm evening as the sun went down. As we watched the fireflies appear and stars get brighter - I thought about what a blessing the beauty of the north woods is What does all this have to do with this painting.... the title of course.

The actual painting is inspired by the reaching branches of a birch tree as it overlooks the lake. I used an overpainting technique to give the branches more movement and bring out the color in the water, sky and bark.

Under the Bright Blue Sky is a 12"x36" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with painted edges and 1.5" thick stretcher bars. It will be available soon at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN 

4 Five inch paintings

Sometimes a painting wants to be painted in a mini format...who says a painting has to be big to make an impact? These four paintings were all inspired by nature - from my back yard to autumn images captured along the Heartland trail. 

From front to back (in the group photo): Birch Branches (*SOLD), Summer Sky, Barberry Branch, and Leaf N Seed (*SOLD). Prices range from $62 - $76 for these original 5" acrylic paintings on stretched canvas.

Bittersweet Reaching Out *SOLD

It's that time - time to paint one of my favorite subjects - Bittersweet Berries. This 9"x12" painting started out with a textured background which I layered with bittersweet vines and berries in a soft palette with pops of bright berry color.

Bittersweet - Reaching Out is a 9"x12" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with painted edges. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $98.00 | 218-547-3729

Joy of Life *SOLD

This painting has a fun story behind it. A lovely couple, who keep their sailboat in Walker, purchased one of my paintings and asked me to consider painting a scene of their sailboat. They said they were not in a hurry and talked with me about painting size and gave me directions to see their boat at the marina.   

It was late autumn by the time I visited the boat slip.  The name of the boat is Joie de Vivre or Joy of Life. What a perfect name for a sailboat! As I photographed the boat at rest I tried to picture it out on the bay. As I thought about the painting I remembered that my sister had taken some sailboat photos while she was visiting over the 4th of July. Josie takes thousands of photos and sometimes leaves me her SD card to look through. As I looked through her photos I came across a boat that looked very much like the Joy of Life. It just so happens that she photographed this very boat on a beautiful summer day - a happy coincidence!

I was excited to get to work on the painting with my new inspiration. Thank you Josie for your beautiful photos and for sharing them. You can see more of Josie's paintings and photos on her website: http://josietrudgeon.com.

As with all commission paintings - I give the person who requested the piece first option to purchase it. If it is not what they have in mind I'll just hang it for sale in the store. I want my paintings to strike a cord and become the collection of someone who will find joy in it. 

Joy of Life is a 30"x40" original acrylic painting on stretched canvas with 1.5" thick stretcher bars and painted edges. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $725.00 | 218-547-3729  

Plum Blossoms *SOLD

Plum Blossoms is a new process for me - one that I am enjoying. Using a stretched canvas - with deep edge stretcher bars, I prepared the canvas with a watercolor ground which makes the canvas accept graphite, watercolor and ink. The new surface is smooth like an eggshell and very inviting to work with. I used a Daniel Smith watercolor ground.

The next step was sketching using a Caran d' Ache Technalo graphite pencil. My inspiration was a series of photos I took of plum blossoms from the spring bloom last year. We are almost to blossom time this year...but not quite. The graphite sitting on top of the smooth surface was a nice raw but elegant effect. I didn't want to overpower the sketch so I used a light Payne's Grey watercolor wash for the background and a touch of Red Earth brushed ink to finish the piece. The final layer is a UV matte finish to keep the piece clean.

Plum Blossoms is a 10"x30" graphite, brushed ink and watercolor piece on stretched canvas with a watercolor ground. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3729

Farmer's Market *SOLD

This tiny little painting is very loose and impressionistic. I was dabbling with paint and figure sketching and decided the environment this person should be in is a light field court yard or cobblestone alleyway which opens onto a Farmer's Market. This piece is meant to feel airy - like the fresh flowers and veggies that fill the Saturday farmer's markets across the world. So grab a cup of coffee and feel the relaxed energy of a Farmer's market. 

Farmer's Market is a 6" square acrylic painting on stretched canvas with painted edges. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $72.00 | 218-547-3729

Field of Wishes *SOLD

When you look into a field - full of little pods, whispys, capsules and seeds - do you think of all the wishes being sent out over the land? All these beauties create a beautiful setting - designed to balance and restore the earth and make our world a little more beautiful.

This little 8"x10" acrylic painting on stretched canvas is an ode to all the twirly and swirly goodness around us. This painting is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $98.00 | 218-547-3729

Modern Scandinavian Garden - Milkweed Blooms *SOLD

As I prepared my 40"x40" canvas many ideas ran through my head of what I was in the mood to paint. I kept coming back to the idea of something light and whimsical with bright colors. I do love milkweed in all it's forms and have created a few paintings inspired by it. The ladder of large leaves and tiny blooms - creating a playful circle - make for a very whimsical subject. ..no wonder butterflies are drawn to it!

If you are looking for a colorful piece to brighten up a space - this painting packs a punch of color. The colors do vary throughout the day - depending on it's light source. It ranges from a deep blue in the evening to a lively bright palette in the afternoon.

Modern Scandinavian Garden - Milkweed Blooms is an original acrylic painting on stretched canvas with 1.5" thick stretcher bars and painted edges. It is 40" square and available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $1,450.00