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