January •SOLD

 December comes with a lot of anticipation. We have programs to prepare for, work to finalize, cookies to bake and parties to attend. We have trees to decorate and gifts to buy and travel plans to organize. December is excitement and decorations and eating too much. And then comes January. 

January we think about the new year and all the possibilities. We eat cleaner and savor our morning coffee and have time for ourselves. We light candles and breathe slower and nestle in for the winter. We restore ourselves and re-balance. January is calm and balance and warmth. ..at least that is what I imagined when I painted this piece. 

January is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. cold press paper. It is professionally framed and matted with conservations glass. It is framed to a final size of 11.25x10.75. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. | 218-547-3729

cards are also available

Junco Tree •SOLD

 When the Juncos come through they add such a lively flurry to their surroundings. I confess, I keep the bird seed stocked when I see them - just to keep them around longer. I can spend hours watching them flurry about. It seems like they are always in a group - dotting the trees with adorable little round silhouettes.

The fresh snow and sweet Juncos were the inspiration for the new brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. arches cold press paper. This piece is professionally framed with conservation - non-glare glass. Final framed size is 9.75"x23.75". Junco Tree is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN.  | 218-547-3729 

One Thread One Drop One Light

 If you have ever stood up on a paddle board - on a calm day - you know this feeling. A calm meditation on water begins. The sounds around the lake relax you, the motion of the paddle revives you and the feeling of standing on water is like nothing else. You feel the beauty of the light and colors around you - dancing off of the water. 

I have this vision of painting a paddle series from above. With the help of my brother's drone flying skills, I have a collection of photos to help inspire this series. This is the start of a series of painting from above, as the paddle shapes the water and the light dances from above. 

One Thread One Drop One Light - is an acrylic painting on stretched canvas with painted edges. I used palette knife for most of this piece so the paint is thick and loose. Size is 30" square. This piece will soon be available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. for $1,300.00

Demi Orchid •SOLD

 Leave it to our local florist to have a vase of gorgeous Demi Orchids taunting me to paint them. Brittany's Floral has always been relaxed about letting me drop in the cooler to pick fresh blooms to enjoy or model for a painting. Brittany, has introduced me to many beautiful blooms that I did not know about. This stem was elegant and I enjoyed it for several weeks!

Demi Orchid is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. Arches cold press paper. This piece is professionally framed with conservation glass. The final size is 21"x10.5". Demi Orchid is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN.  | 218-547-3729

Take to the Sky & Water *SOLD

 This painting is a commissioned piece. As with all commission requests, I take suggestion on size  and subject. For this one, the customer liked my palette knife sailboat paintings but wanted a float plane as the feature. She sent me float plane photos that she had taken and I used those for the plane model. I wanted the piece to feel calm and open. 

With commissions, I give the customer, first opportunity to buy the piece. If it is not what the person had in mind, I hang it in the store for sale. This way there is no pressure on the buyer or me. In this case, she loved it and purchased it. This always makes me happy.

Take to the Sky & Water is a 24"x30" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with painted edges. There is a lot of paint on this canvas. This piece is sold. 

Calm & Clear •SOLD

 I love when visitors dress in beautiful clothes with big hats and fun accessories. You can be sure I'll be photographing you for painting inspiration if you do :) This painting was inspired by one such visitor.

Calm & Clear is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 350 lb. hot press paper. It is professionally framed with conservation glass to a final size of 10.25"x14". This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. | 218-5473729

Lil Blue Bunting •SOLD

 Lil Blue Bunting was inspired by a visitor to the woods near our home, this summer. My husband has a weakness for Blue Buntings and spotted him right away. 

Lil Blue Bunting is a brushed acrylic ink painting on aquabord. It is professionally framed to a final size of 7" square. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN.  | 218-547-3729

Reflection at the Headwaters •SOLD

 

If you live in Minnesota, you have probably made a trip to Itasca State Park, to experience the Headwaters of the Mississippi. Some of us, have made this voyage many times. The history and awe of standing at the Headwaters of a major river is magnificent. My first time making this trip, didn't impact me a lot. I thought it was neat but it didn't move me like it does now. Just the fact that the path across the headwaters hasn't really changed since I was a kid and the fact that IT IS the Headwaters of the Mississippi - fills me with an energy that just feels good. 

I tried to capture the contemplation and reflection a teenage kid might feel - crossing the rocks at the headwaters for the first time. His thoughtful passing, with sandal in hand, as he is reminded where he stands and the journey this water will take. 

Reflection at the Headwaters is a brushed acrylic ink paining on 350 lb. hot press paper. It is professionally framed to a final size of 17.75"x12.25". This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN.  | 218-547-3729

cards are also available

Bittersweet Season •SOLD

 

It's that time of year! The official start of Autumn is this week and I was happy to harvest fresh Bittersweet to model for a new painting. Bittersweet is one of my absolute favorite subjects to paint. The fact that the berries mature right as the summer fades to autumn makes the name so appropriate. 

Bittersweet Season is an acrylic painting on stretched canvas with painted edges. this piece is 10" square and is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. | 218-547-3729

Minnesota Grown •SOLD

I have been eager to get back to working on larger canvases, after a busy summer. As I look out my window I can see little hints of autumn color turning the green leaves yellow. The summer colors still dance on the water and in the distance. These colors inspired this piece.

Minnesota Grown is a 30"x15" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with painted edges. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN.  | 218-547-3729

 

Forest Solstice Gathering •SOLD

 Sometimes, the critters in the area, just stare at me and tell me they would like their picture painted. That was the case with this mama deer. Well actually, she was looking at me with this expression, as her Fawn danced around her. She was unsure what the human, in her presence, was thinking about the excited baby. I thought her expression needed some birds adorning her. So - of course - this became a funny winter scene and my idea for a 2022 Christmas card. 

Forest Solstice Gathering is brushed acrylic ink on 350 lb. hot press paper. It is professionally framed with conservation glass to a final size of 14"x16". This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN.  | 218-547-3729

cards are also available

Hummingbird's Summer View *SOLD

We have branches, surrounding our view of the lake, that the hummingbirds love. They sit and enjoy their view and then drink from the flowers or the feeders and go back to their perches. I wonder if they know how happy they make me - just being here. I'm pretty sure we have the same hummingbirds every year. They have their routines and so do we and we enjoy each others company ...and ...many times...they have inspired paintings.

Hummingbird's Summer View - is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. arches paper. It is professionally framed with conservation glass to a final size of 13.5"x8.5". This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3729

Fresh Start •SOLD

 I confess, I began this painting with the intent of painting peaceful moving leaves on branches. I was happy with the sketch of the leaves and then remembered a sweet American Redstart that I had photographed earlier this year and thought, this environment would be perfect for him. And so, it was, the American Redstart became the star. I think the leaves are ok with this. 

Fresh Start - is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. hot press paper. It is framed with conservation glass to a final size of  22.5"x12.5". This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN.  | 218-547-3729

Bells •SOLD

 Fun plants, growing around me, keep distracting me. They tell me they want to be painted and I can't resist. The Tall Bells seem to be everywhere this year - adding a splash of purple and blue to their green environment. 

Bells is an 11"x27" brushed ink painting on 140 lb. arches hot press paper. It is professionally framed with conservation glass. This painting is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. | 218-547-3729

Jay • SOLD

My son's favorite bird is the Bluejay. I get excitement out of him when he sees me sketching them. . .so of course I have painted several Bluejays. They are present in our area - year round - which is a bonus for added models.

This is a small 6" square brushed acrylic ink painting on Aquabord. I forgot to take a final framed photo. The final size was 7" square. This piece is sold

Same Cabin Next Year •SOLD

 Recently, I was chatting with a woman who told me that her family has been coming to the same resort for 35 years. She described the resort like it was family - commenting on all the exciting changes over the years. I could tell she felt like she was a part of the resort and I imagine it's like going to the family cabin but everything is maintained and ready for you when you arrive. How nice would that be! This area is rich in resort history and I love hearing about generation after generation revisiting their space up north - by the lake.

Same Cabin Next Year is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 350 lb. hot press paper. It is framed to a final size of 7"x9" with conservation glass. This painting is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN.  | 218-547-3729

Connection •SOLD

I looked forward to working on this piece everyday. The thoughts that filled my head brought joy. This painting is about connection to the land, water, rhythm and spirit.

Connection is painted with brushed acrylic ink on 140 lb. hot press arches paper. The frame is a beautiful solid maple with matte with conservation glass. It is professionally framed. Final framed size is 31" square. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. | 218-547-3729

8" prints on powder coated steel with hanging brackets are also available. The metal print is shown in the last photo. Prints are $42 each.

Shucking Sweet Corn •SOLD

 Tis the season for having cookouts and shucking corn! I have many fond memories of shucking corn with Grandparents, siblings and other relatives. Everything about corn is delicious from the farmer's stand to the shucking to the boiling and eating. How can you not like summer sweet corn? This little piece is an ode to summer Sundays and corn!

Shucking Sweet Corn is a brushed acrylic ink painting on aquabord. It is professionally framed to a final size of 7.45" square. This pieces is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. | 218-547-3729 

Lead the Way *SOLD

 I am beginning to see a pattern in color with my palette knife paintings. I do love to mix cobalts, teals, cerulean and sky blues with a touch of yellows and reds. The sailboat stands apart with clean whites and ivory. There are 3 sailboats in this painting. I hope you can feel the sun, wind and water from this painting.

Lead the Way is a 24"x24" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with 1.5" thick stretcher bars and cross brace. The edges are painted. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN.  | 215-547-3729