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When I think of freedom and movement - I picture the swoop of the Pileated woodpecker. The Pileated's rhythm is so carefree and cool. This painting is more about the feeling I get from a woodpecker - rather than trying to capture it's true color and form.
Wind Rower is a 30"x15" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with painted edges and 1.5" thick stretcher bars. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $495.00 | 218-547-3729
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My intention with this painting was to create a feeling of dappled light through a forest - framing a lake view. I used a lot of overpainting to give it a stained glass or quilted texture.
Birch Lake View is a 8"x10" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with 3/4" stretcher bars and painted edges. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $155.00 | 218-547-3729
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I painted a companion pieces to Blanket Wrap. These little figurative pieces are an ode to morning views of nature while enjoying a cup of coffee. I painted them in a loose relaxed style to match the mood.
I'll Take My Coffee to Go is a 4.5" square watercolor painting on 140 lb cold press watercolor paper. Framed with a 1/2" white boarder to a final size of 6.5" square. I'll Take My Coffee to Go is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $76.00 | 218-547-3729
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It's about time for some Modern Scandinavian Color! Prussian blue, viridian and sunset tones are in my mind ...which means they are on my palette. This little piece has a joyful flow to go with it's intense color.
Modern Scandinavian Garden - milkweed bloom blue is professionally framed to a final size of 8.25"x6.75". It is a watercolor painting on 140 lb arches cold press paper. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker| 218-547-3729
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| After the Bloom is another painting inspired by the shell or seed left after the flower has bloomed. In this case - I'm not sure what the flower was. I'll have to check this spot next summer to see what grows around this interesting shell. The stripes...or lines drew me right in. The strawberry shortcake girl in me loves this whimsical happy plant. After the Bloom is a small watercolor painting on 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper. it is professionally framed. Final size is _______. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $65.00 | 218-547-3729 |
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I had to paint these twirling petals. I'm not sure what they are - they are small ground cover flowers with leaves that almost hide them from view ....except for the radiating yellow which can't really hide. The original sketch was a sea of lines, it wasn't until I added the color that you could see the flowers nestled in the petals.
I was going for a wood black print look with this piece. I use brushed ink and limited colors to give it an arts and crafts feel. Artwork size is 5"x5" - framed and matted to a final size of ______. Twirling Petals is brushed ink on 140 lb. hot press paper. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $98.00
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As the leaves drop and flowers disappear - new shapes and figures are taking center stage. It's fun to see the shells of flowers are just as interesting as the flowers themselves. These clever poppy pods hold thousands of seeds . . little magic vessels of life.
Pockets full of Poppies is a brushed ink painting on 140 lb. hot press watercolor paper. It is professionally framed and has conservation glass to protect it. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $105.00. Framed size is _______ | 218-547-3729
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| A few things lined up to make this painting happen. #1 - I visited my sister and her family in Montana in September. #2 - I bought a new lens with a good macro setting. #3 - Josie (my sister) and I went for a drive in the mountains. #4 - these seed pods begged to be photographed with their winding branches, beautiful pods and lovely colors. It didn't take me long to set to work on this painting after returning home from our road trip. I envisioned the painting having a lot of sage greens, ivory and subtle ocher. The red invited itself in but stayed back as a compliment to the lighter colors. I use a combination of brush and palette knife to create Seed Pod Soiree. The photos above show; the completed painting, my photo inspiration, Seed Pod Soiree displayed on a mantel and the last photo is one Josie Trudgeon took of me, contemplating the right angle for the pods. When 2 people who often carry cameras get together - you get a photo of someone taking a photo. Seed Pod Soiree is a 30"x30" 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 |
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Our landscape - up north - is getting pretty colorful and inspiring some new pieces. I used just about every color I own for this birch tree painting. I wanted a piece that keeps your eyes moving from sweeping branches to the illusion of a lake in the background.
Fall Coat is a 15" x 30" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with 1.5" thick stretcher bars and painted edges. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $599.00 | 218-547-3729
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What can I say about bittersweet that I haven't already said? I just can't help but paint these colorful berries and their twirling branches. I left the background more simple than I usually do but the yellows were calming and it made this little piece feel complete.
Bittersweet Golden Days is a 6"x6" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with painted edges. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $75.00 | 218-547-3729
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This little piece started out as a watercolor. Something about the watercolor didn't feel right though so I turned it into an acrylic painting and I'm glad I did. After turning to the acrylic - the focus became less on the background and more on the relaxed air around the women enjoying her coffee and view - which is what I was going for.
Summer Saturday Rituals is a 6"x6" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with painted edges. I donated this piece to the Leech Lake Art Leagues annual art sale.
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Sky Reflection started as layers of reds against the blue with a palette knife. I was satisfied with a sea of pleasing color until envisioning leaves sweeping through the red. The more I thought about this piece - the more I thought of certain colors that needed to play off of the reds and sky blue. Cobalt Turquoise asked to join the palette and I couldn't deny it so the cobalt turquoise leaves came about in the upper corner...and then...I called it complete.
This piece is not going to appeal to everyone. It is a more abstract piece that needs a modern setting or...it will turn a setting into a more modern piece . . I'd imagine.
Sky Reflection is a 12" square acrylic painting on stretched canvas with 1.5" thick stretcher bars and painted edges. I finished the piece with a beautiful Maple Ampersand floater frame. Sky Reflection is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $315.00 framed | 218-547-3729
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I'm sure this scene happens in places other than Minnesota - but it feels very Minnesota to me. A young woman stands at the end of a dock after wrapping up in a cozy blanket and grabbing a warm cup of coffee. She enjoys the quiet of the morning.
This little watercolor is 5" square and framed in a simple flat frame which I painted grey. Blanket Wrap is watercolor on 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $76.00 | 218-547-3729
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As a shop owner, I enjoy watching the umbrellas come out as visitors come to town to escape the rain. On one of these rainy days, a lovely couple stopped in the shop. She was layered up with a tall caller, cool shoes, bun on top of her head, long coat and all of those little details that make for a fun painting subject.
This is the painting that resulted from that inspiring visit. It is a simple watercolor without a lot of layering. I used limited lines and light washes to give it a summery feel. Summer Rain at the Lake is a 6" square watercolor painting on watercolor primed stretched canvas. Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $89.00
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| If you are out for a walk this week - you might see the orange berries of bittersweet calling out to you. It looks like it might be a good bittersweet season to inspire a few paintings. The two pictured above are the newest in my bittersweet series. One was a special request for a wedding gift. The couple has navy and orange for their colors - hence the blues and oranges. The second is available at the Walker, MN Rotary Extravaganza this September. Both are 6" acrylic paintings on stretched canvas. |
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With Crisp Late Autumn I mimicked the colors in the figure's coat with the colors we see in autumn in the north woods. I couldn't resist using the iconic stripes of a Hudson Bay coat. I think we all see these colors and think of log cabins, wood burning fireplaces, walks surrounded by turning leaves, cuddling up with a cup of something warm to drink and a nice wool blanket! Well - if you didn't conjure up these images before - I hope you do now.
Crisp Late Autumn is and original 6"x6" brushed ink painting on watercolor prepared stretched canvas. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $110.00. Cards are also available. | 218-547-3729
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I always look forward to Regatta weekend in Walker. Not only are the boats out to admire but Walker city dock is filled with people watching the boats - giving me more painting subjects. This sweet sailboat was actually captured on film by my sister Josie Trudgeon [http://www.josietrudgeon.com] when she was in town over the 4th of July holiday. I liked the shape of the front sail - pulling the boat along it's way. I painted it over the LLR weekend - inspired by more boats.
Go With the Wind is a 6"x6" original watercolor painting on watercolor prepared canvas. I framed it in a simple natural floater frame. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $120.00 - framed | 218-547-3729
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| This painting is about color and movement - about the sun on your face and the wind at your back. Nothing shows color and movement better than the strokes of a palette knife - layered with teals, cobalts and a bit of naples yellow to add some sunshine across it's blue water background. Sky Water Wind is a 12" x 36" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with 1.5" thick stretcher bars and painted edges. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $375.00 | 218-547-3729 |
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My husband has a framed photograph of the sun going down across a cozy looking lake. The dock and trees are a silhouette in the foreground. He says he took it at a cabin his family stayed at in Canada. This photo is calming - peaceful. I used his photo for inspiration to create this piece. I think many of us who have spent time "Up North" can imagine waking up and walking down to the dock with a blanket and cup of coffee to enjoy the calm and the view.
Because I painted the piece to feel like a sunset the colors are soft and deep without a lot of bright whites. Because of this - the painting, especially the blues, take on a different color in different light. As you can see in the above photos - sometimes the blues look teal while other times they are more of a marine blue.
Cabin View Sunset is a 12" square brushed ink painting on stretched canvas with painted edges. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $225.00 | 218-547-3729
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The combination of teals, ochres, cobalt and pops of orange make for a cheerful painting. I wanted these birch trees to feel like a perfect walk in the woods on a 72" day with the sun shining down.
Tree Hugger is a watercolor painting on 140 lb. watercolor paper. It is professionally framed and matted with conservation glass. Framed size is 11"x9". Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $95.00 | 218-547-3729
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The transformation of a milkweed plant fascinates me. This plant re-invents itself so often it's almost un-recognizable from month to month. I could paint milkweed everyday for a year and not get tired of it.
Milkweed Pod Fields is a watercolor painting on 140 lb rough cold press Arches paper. I had it framed with natural - hand-made paper as the background to give it a warm fiber feeling. SOLD
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| Even if we don't sail - I think we all can appreciate the sight of a boat propelled by wind and a navigator. This small catamaran sailed by me this summer. The sailor was too far away to recognize but the relaxed posture behind the sails said that he/she was happy to be guiding that bright little boat. I brought this tiny painting to Heritage Framing to finish with a sweet shadow box style frame and pop of color. Clipping Along is a watercolor painting on 140 lb. watercolor paper. SOLD. |
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| It's been a year of palette knife paintings for me. Letting some of the control of the paint be determined by the knife gives a nice open light feeling to a piece. I pair the tighter details of a form with the loose blending of the water with the knife. Voyagers and Water Ways is a 30"x40" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with painted edges. It will be available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN | 218-547-3729 |
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I used my favorite ink combination of earth red and cool grey for this birch tree painting. Something about this color combination just feels complete. I found the frame before starting the piece. I enjoy working with the frame in mind. When the piece is done it says - I'm home!
Birch Behavior is a brushed ink painting on 140 lb arches watercolor paper. Final size is 11"x17". It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $185.00. Professionally framed with conservation glass.
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Reaching Light is a multi layered painting-inspired by the sweeping motion of the leaves from an Ash tree. Trees have so many inspiring elements that sometimes I have to focus in on one section to really capture the detail of their beauty. Other times I step back and feel the power of these towering beauties.
Reaching Light is a 30"x30" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with painted edges and 1.5" thick stretcher bars. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $975.00
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I'm not sure it it's the women's posture, the bottle of wine or the overcast setting that gives this painting such a relaxed ease but something about it just calms me. This little watercolor developed quickly after the initial sketch. My graphite lines can be seen under the light watercolor to give the piece a loose - open feeling.
Overcast with a Good Chance for Wine is a watercolor painting on 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper. The artwork size is 8"x10" - including the 1" white border. Final framed size will be about 9.5" x 11.5". Painting will be available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $160.00 | 218-547-3729
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After picking up this fun sized canvas - all I could imagine on it was a Modern Scandinavian garden painting. Bright, with movement and a bit of goofiness was what I was going for. This piece will change the mood of any room it hangs in.
Modern Scandinavian Dandelion Wishes is a 10"x30" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with painted edges. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $360.00 | 218-547-3729
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| Imagine the wind pushing your boat at a steady speed and the sun warming your skin. These days are coming again soon. Similar to my larger sailboat - palette knife paintings - this piece is about color, mood and movement. Sun in Your Sails is an acrylic painting on canvas. It is framed to a final size of 12.5"x15" and available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $145.00 | 218-547-3729 |
