Morning Mist - prints on steel available

You lake lovers know the peace of wrapping up in a blanket with a warm beverage to observe the morning mist and calm over the water. This feeling is what I tried to capture here. When the mist is dense enough that you hear the boat motor before you see it - that's morning mist on the lake!

I kept the original of this piece which is a 10" brushed ink on 140 lb. paper. I'm excited to say that I have been collaborating with the local metal fabricator in Walker. Next Innovations is known for their metal work and excellent print quality. Their powder coated metal is long lasting and durable. This piece is available as a 8" square on metal with hanging brackets. The brackets hang the piece out from the wall about an inch giving it a unique look that I am enjoying. 

Morning Mist on powder coated 8" metal with brackets is $42.00 and available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. | 218-547-3729

Chickadee Holiday *SOLD

The Chickadee is a common sight in these parts but that doesn't mean we take these sweet talkers for granted. I know, for one, I would miss the cheerful song of this caped little bird. For this piece my Chickadee landed on a holiday wreath to say hello and add some holiday cheer.

Chickadee Holiday is brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper. It is professionally framed by Heritage framing with conservation glass. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3729

Whip or Whirl - Basswood seeds *SOLD

These seeds look like they have been in training and are ready to take flight. I picture them with little flight hats and goggles. Yes - I just had my morning coffee. They are fun seeds - dancing away.

Whip or Whirl is a 4"x7" brushed acrylic ink painting on 350 lb. mixed media paper. This piece is professionally framed with conservation glass to a final size of 7"x10". This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN | 218-547-3729

Springs of Joy *SOLD

These little sprigs dot the paths of our home adding a lively color. When a friend came to visit this fall we set out the paints and both decided to paint asters. We listened to music, sketched and painted - just like the old days when we were college dorm neighbors. Her painting turned out more of a beautiful macro view. I should have photographed them side by side.

Sprigs of Joy is a 4" x 7" brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. watercolor paper. It is professionally framed with conservation glass to a final size of 7"x10". This piece is sold

Tones of Nature *SOLD

I am a collector of grasses and reeds. ..or at least an admirer. Jars and vases of interesting grass shapes fill my spaces. Sometimes I get to drawing them before they loose their pieces...sometimes I don't. These grasses are tiny delicate stems in the most lovely tones. This is a simple painting - one that can make itself home in almost any room.

Tones of Nature is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. paper. The grays are warmer as in the photo where it is framed.  This piece is 4" x 7" - professionally framed to a size of about 7" x 10" with conservations glass. Tones of Nature is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN 

Nuthatch Perch *NFS

This sweet nuthatch modeled for me this fall. I'm used to seeing these tweets perched upside down so when he sat right-side up I had to admire his grey blue color.

Nuthatch Perch is a 6" square on stretched canvas with painted edges. Medium is an acrylic based ink. I thought a simple floater frame would compliment it. Original is not for Sale. 

Seasons Collide •SOLD

This past October brought some amazing golds, ocher and reds to the trees in the north woods. One day I went for a walk thinking how gold everything was. The next day brought snow and the contrast of the white against the yellows and birch tones was so striking I had to try and capture it. 

My final piece feels more like a warm fall day than the first snow...I'm ok with that. This piece is created with palette knife and brush. The layers are thick with some fine detail in the bark and branches but overall it is a loose painting with the focus on color.

Seasons Collied is a 30"x40" acrylic painting on stretched canvas. Stretcher bars are 7/8" thick with cross braces. Edges are painted. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN (professionally framed). | 218-547-3729

Modern Scandinavian Garden - Phlox Blooms *SOLD

The shape of Phlox works well to inspire a Modern Scandinavian painting. Little did I know, when I bought myself a white Phlox plant this spring, that I already had a yard full of lavender phlox. Inspiration was everywhere! 

For this piece I used a combination of teal, cobalt, pthalo blues and sky blue to make the background vibrate BLUE. The moving vines in the background are a rich red iron oxide. The iron oxide whisps were added at the end to give the piece more depth and movement. As with all of my Modern Scandinavian pieces - the shapes as well as color is intense and exaggerated.

Modern Scandinavian Garden - Phlox Blooms is a 40"x40" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with cross bars. Stretcher bars are 1.5" thick with painting edges. This piece will be available soon at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN | 218-547-3729

Cabin Greeter *SOLD

I have had a connection with this tree my whole life. This wise Red Pine has marked the entrance to the land my Great Grandparents Homesteaded back in the 20s. Looking at Red, I feel like he could tell me so many stories of my ancestors. Recently this beauty had been showing it's age and I knew it wasn't long before he would no longer stand proud. I photographed Red from every angle to remember his beauty and paint him. Sure enough - Red - came down this summer. Although  I'm sad to see him go - I will always picture him proud and full of stories on his corner greeting cabin visitors. 

Cabin Greeter is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. mixed media hot press paper. It is professionally framed by Heritage Framing with conservation glass and a double mat. The final size is 10.5" x 25". This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3729

Braids, Baskets and Sun-dress Days *SOLD

This mother and daughter visit my shop occasionally. They are always dressed cute and are thoughtful with their family. On this particular day I couldn't resist asking to photograph them. Aimee was shopping with her basket on her arm as her daughter looked on. Both had a lovely energy about them and they humored me while I took a few photos. 

My 3 year old son was intrigued when I showed him the finished piece. He commented on the basket, the girl and her Mom - imagining who they were. After some thought he said to me, "Mom, you painted them the wrong way - I can't see them." 

Braids, Baskets and Sun-dress Days is an original brushed ink painting on 140 lb. mixed media hot press paper. Artwork is 8"x10" and framed to a final size of 16"x18" with conservations glass. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3729

Unbelievable Tweetie Pie Begonia *SOLD

I've not heard of a May Day Plant before but I sure like the idea and that is how this sweet Begonia came to me. My Tweetie Pie Begonia has brought lots of joy to our patio this year. The soft tones and lovely blossoms dance in their pot. I can see where it gets it's name.

Unbelievable Tweetie Pie Begonia is a 6" square brushed ink painting and watercolor primed canvas with .75" painted edges. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $86.00 | 218-547-3729

Warm Reflections *Sold (prints available)

I'm not quite sure what is in her left hand....is it a cup of coffee or a glass of wine ? You decide!  Clear water, swaying grasses, cozy coat and warm light = time for reflection and enjoying a calm moment. 

Warm Reflections is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. watercolor paper. This piece is professionally framed with conservation glass. Final framed size is 14.5" square.  Prints and cards available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. Original is sold. | 218-547-3729

As Far As I Can See *SOLD

It's funny how a painting will find the person it belongs to. I don't know how many times I have heard gallery visitors say, "I don't know exactly what I'm looking for but I'll know it when I see it." It makes me happy when that piece is a creation of mine. 

I had just started this painting by applying my colors with a palette knife - creating thick layers. The week got busy and I didn't get a chance to work on this piece. It sat on my easel in our living room. Each morning I would wake up to these colors and think to myself, "I sort or want to leave it like this - the colors feel good to me." I happened to snap a photo of the morning light on the canvas to remember it after I worked the canvas up more. This same week a family friend stopped in for a visit. He took to the colors too and asked, "how much for the piece just as it is?" And that is the story of how this palette knife painting got to stay in it's raw color form (with a little fine tuning) and go to it's new home in Wisconsin. I couldn't be happier about this.

As Far as I Can See is a 40"x40" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with 1.5" thick stretcher bars and painted edges. It is SOLD.

Penny For Your Thoughts *SOLD

ORANGE, YELLOW and GREEN - if a set of colors were designed to give the brain waves a jolt of inspiration - I think it must be these 3. These little wild flowers dance around the yard and yell paint me all day long. I say - OK. 

Penny for Your Thoughts is a 4.75"x9.5"brushed ink painting on 140 lb. watercolor paper. This pieces is professionally framed and available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN | 218-547-3729

Origami Ladies & Ladies *SOLD

Our famous Lady Slipper beauties try to hide but they are not very good at it. These little slippers live near our home. They taunted me to paint them. I kept saying no until one day - they appeared more like tribal warriors and I just couldn't resist.

I sketched them in the same sitting before painting them later with an acrylic brushed ink. I wanted a more organic style for one and architectural lines for the second. Both pieces are on the small side. Sizes are about 5" x 10". These pieces have sold.

Wind Guides *SOLD

Grasses have alway inspired me with their wispy features and subtle coloring. The bigger the canvas - the more fun the grasses are to paint - swooping and growing tall - I had fun with this piece. I limited my color palette to a warm mix of  neutral colors that I thought would make an elegant piece.

Wind Guides is a 12"x48" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with painted edges and cross braces. Edges are 1.78" thick. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter Gallery in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3729

Sounds of Warmer Days *SOLD

Do you know the sweet sound of the Red-Winged Black bird? If you do - you know how welcome the arrival of these beauties and their sound is after a quiet winter. This piece was inspired by the Red-Winged birds that make Minnesota island their home in the summer. I paddled over to the island to find this guy busy flying from one cattail to the next. 

Sounds of Warmer Days is a 12" x 22" brushed acrylic ink painting on arches hot press 140 lb. paper. This piece is sold. Cards are available. Peculiar Painter | 218-547-3729

Pictured above is the framed original. This photo was kindly sent to me by the owner of the original. I am please with her frame and Mat choice!

Time Well Spent *SOLD

I contemplated titling this one: First, Biggest and Most. I think a lot of you would understand the title. Fishing with my family we always turn it into a friendly competition. The more I thought about fishing - the final title came to mind. I have never had a bad day fishing. Fishing could be a prescribed therapy for the mind.

Time Well Spent is an acrylic painting on stretched canvas. This is a palette knife painting with many layers. I did use brush work for the boat and fishermen details. Size is 30"x40".  Canvas is professionally stretched with cross bars and painted edges. Edges are 1.75" thick. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3729

Native Columbine NFS

These little beauties modeled for me as I sat on the steps of my back porch. Their amazing architecture and soft color are something to behold. I'd love to do a series of the macro elements that make them whole....or even a bigger overview of a whole cluster of Columbine. Plant life is amazing!

Native Columbine is brushed acrylic ink on 350 lb. hot press paper. It is professionally framed to a final size of about 11"x13" and available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN | 218-547-3729

Paddle Rhythm & Water Reflection *SOLD

Impressionism colors were dancing in my head as I painted this canoe scene. I wanted to create a piece that felt like a memory of canoeing on a sunny day. I thought back to paddling with my Mom, with my friends, with my sisters. This is about a light hearted afternoon enjoying the company in your boat and rhythm of the water. 

Paddle Rhythm and Water Reflections is a 36"x12" acrylic painting on stretched canvas. Stretcher bars are 1.75" thick and painted. The is a palette knife painting so paint is thick and textured. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3729

Wild Wishes *SOLD

Wild Wishes is a brushed ink painting on 140" cold press watercolor paper. The tones are a warm grey, umber and taupe with a touch of red. The wild weeds around me inspired this painting.

I thought the elegant white washed barn wood complimented the light tones of the piece. Actual artwork is 5"x7". Framed to a final size of 7.5"x9.5" with conservation glass. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $76.00 | 218-547-3729

Bloom On *SOLD

This piece has been on my mind to paint for over a year. The main subject was one I photographed as a macro detail. I can't quite remember what it was. I believe it was a blooming shrub that I enjoyed the shape of. I wanted to create a simple but striking piece with limited color to make the red stand out.

Keeping with the clean lines of the painting - I asked my framer at Heritage framing - to pick a grey that would bring out the colors of the piece and pair with a maple style modern museum frame. The final piece has a woodblock feel but is brushed ink on 140 lb. hot press paper. It is professionally framed with conservation glass. Final size is 12.75" x 13.25". Bloom On is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN | 218-547-3729

Yellow Warbler *SOLD

This little bundle of sunshine taunted me by hanging around the house for a few days. . . begging to be painted.  He posed on lanterns and chairs but I decided a simple tree branch would work the best for his portrait.

Yellow Warbler is a small brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. hot press paper. It is professionally framed to a final size of 7"x9". This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN | 218-547-3729

Modern Scandinavian Garden - Millkweed in Bloom *SOLD

This little Modern Scandinavian piece was a fun one to paint. I can see myself painting a similar piece as a larger vertical painting but I thought the narrow small size suited the one stem with bold colors. 

Modern Scandinavian Garden - Millkweed in Bloom is a 4"x12" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with painted edges - 3/4" deep. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3729

JAY *SOLD

JAY - is inspired by the bluejays that add beauty to the north woods all year long. This guy is stylized with a bit of a totem feel. This acrylic on stretched canvas painting has 3/4" painted edges and is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN | 218-547-3729

Lake Light Birch *SOLD

I believe I'm feeling an impressionism influence with this piece. I wanted this piece to feel the dancing light of sun on clouds, water and leaves. It is meant to have a dream like lightness. I used a lot of sky blue, cerulean blue and naples yellow for this piece. 

Lake Light Birch is an acrylic painting on stretched canvas. Canvas size is 12.5"x8.5" - final framed size is 13.5"x9.5". The frame is a deep indigo floater frame to give the piece a modern museum feel. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3729

Wild Star I [SOLD] & Wild Star II *SOLD

BLOOMS - Everywhere! Ah - the scents and colors of spring are a welcome sight. My sketch books are filling up with twirling, winding, playful - little blooms and sprigs. The wild ones are the ones that end up on my pages the most but I do love them all. 

These particular plants have an unattractive name for such a beautiful sunshine of a bloom. So I decided to call them wild stars. They are not a set but a series and are available individually for sale. 

Wild Star I is the smaller of the 2 with an orange background. It is professionally framed to a final size of 7" square. It is $69.00.

Wild Star II is professionally framed to a final size of 9.5"x5.75" and is $82.00. Both pieces are brushed acrylic ink on 140 lb. cold press paper.