Growing Forward

This was my meditation painting. Many hot beverages were consumed while working on this piece. Many peaceful songs were listened to and many inspiring podcasts were taken in while sketching and painting. I hope you can feel the peace it holds. 

The original inspiration came from a colorful crop or perennials that were blooming where my Grandmother planted them years ago. We took down a giant Basswood tree the summer before and the lilies are now thriving from the direct sunshine. A lime green background would have been more fitting but the rich teal-blue was what called to me. You might notice a grasshopper hidden amongst the stems. I thought his presence and symbolism of moving forward would complement this piece. Hence the name - Growing Forward. 

Growing Forward is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. cold press arches paper. It is professionally framed with non-glare glass. The final framed size is 31" square. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. for $1,500.00 | 218-547-3729

 

Swallow Tales

 You might notice that Tree Swallows make it into my work quite often now. After observing their style and agile movements I am mesmerized by them. The way they dance over water with their metallic blue tone - capturing the sunshine is so inspiring.

Swallow Tales is a brushed acrylic painting on 140 lb. hot press paper. This piece is professionally framed with conservation glass. The final framed size is 9.75"x11.75". This painting is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. for $265.00 | 218-547-3729

Aster •SOLD

 

Purple, blue and white Asters have been dancing all over the landscape lately. With the rich and moody colors of fall - the cheerful Asters really stand out. I enjoyed going for a walk to capture Asters of all sizes - from sparse petals to full clusters. 

Aster - is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. cold press Arches paper. This piece is professionally framed with conservation glass to a final size of 9"x15.25". Aster is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. | 218-547-3729

Walker Bay Boulevard •SOLD

 If you have ever wandered the bike trail, which runs parallel to Walker Bay Boulevard, you know how peaceful and warm the light feels. I walk this trail to restore balance and remind myself how luck we are to have the lakes, trails and trees surrounding us. 

Walker Bay Boulevard is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. arches cold press paper. It is framed with conservation glass. The finished framed size is 8" square. This piece is sold but cards will be available. 

Willow Midge •SOLD

 I took a photo of beautiful dancing leaves framing a cone and have been looking forward to painting it. Something about the layers of leaves had a wonderful movement to it. After painting the piece I asked my husband what I was painting. It turns out that the cone is called a gull and the leaves are from a willow. A midge could hatch out of the cone. Isn't that fascinating? Nature is so inspiring. 

Willow Midge is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. paper. It is professionally framed to a final size of 8.75"x8.75"

Chirp in the Sunshine

I've tried to describe a Junco by saying, they are the size of a Chickadee but more of a puff ball with personality. We have the sweetest little Junco's that visit us in the winter and spring, when I photograph them as much as I can. I think of them as winter birds but wanted to paint this one in the spring sunshine. 

Chirp in the Sunshine is a brushed acrylic ink painting on wood panel. This piece is framed without glass since it is on a wood panel. Final framed size is 8.5" square. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. for $165.00 | 218-547-3720

Puppy Days •SOLD

 The amount of time a puppy is a puppy is so fleeting. Maybe that is why seeing those big puppy paws and floppy ears are so happy and memorable. This puppy and woman were at city park, one afternoon, when I was there with my son. The puppy actually wasn't with the woman but she took a moment to pet it and looked thoughtful as it played by her feet. 

Puppy Days is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. hot press paper. It is framed with conservation glass to a final size of 12.5"x10.5"/ This painting is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. | 218-547-3729

Cards and prints on steel are also available. 

Skating Lessons

Teaching a child to skate takes patience but it is one of the great gifts you can pass down. I remember watching my Mom skate with her long graceful glide. She patiently taught each of us kids to skate and I am thankful for that. Skating is such a great northern state past time. This painting was inspired by a Mother daughter pair I came across in Wisconsin, last winter. They represent anyone who has bundled up and taken a few falls in order to enjoy this magical winter sport. 

Skating Lessons is a brushed acrylic ink painting on hot press paper. This piece is professionally framed with conservation glass to a final size of 14.75" square. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. for $389.00 | 218-547-3729

Cards and prints on steel are also available. 

A Moment of Still •SOLD

 When I think of a Hummingbird I imagine movement. When I see one of these amazing creature still it calms me. Even a hummingbird takes time to rest and look at the view. I started this piece with the flora. I believe it is wild parsnip but it is still beautiful with its stacking movement. . . just don't touch it!

A Moment of Still is a brushed acrylic ink painting on cold press paper. It is professionally framed with conservation glass to a final size of 16.25"x9.75". 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

Modern Scandinavian Eccentric Blooms •SOLD

 I went the opposite of my usual Modern Scandinavian garden series with this piece. I wanted the shapes to be dramatic and fun with little color to distract from the form. This piece is painted using only Paynes Grey and White with a little bit of sepia in the leaves. 

Modern Scandinavian Eccentric Blooms is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. hot press arches paper. It is professionally framed with conservation glass. Final framed size is 6.5"x19". This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3729

Patio Garden (#2 in the Garden Series) *SOLD

 #2 -In the Garden- series is complete! I was inspired by an artist's style at the Duluth Bayfront art festival this summer. She was working with jewelry but I pictured her in a garden with her flowing style. I wanted this piece to be vertical - to compliment the square first piece of the garden series. 

This painting is about the small spaces we nurture to grow flowers, vegetable and herbs. It's about patios and sunlight and little sanctuaries. I want you to feel calm and hopeful when you look at this painting. 

Patio Garden (#2 in the Garden Series) is a brushed acrylic ink painting on hot press paper. It is professionally framed with conservation glass. Final framed size is 12"x18". This painting is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN | 218-547-3729

6"x12" prints on powder coated steel with hanging brackets are also available for $42 each. 

Balance *SOLD

 The Great Blue Heron appears out of nowhere when you least expect him. Nothing else moves like this graceful creatures. They have a mythical quality about them that fascinates me. 

I have been photographing the Heron that visits us regularly but never quite captured the pose I wanted to paint. One afternoon, when my husband was working from home, he captured a photo of the heron at the end of a dock - in the exact pose I wanted to paint!

Balance is an acrylic based ink painting on 140 lb. hot press paper. It is professionally framed with conservation glass and a beautiful - wood base - metallic finish frame that compliments it perfectly. Framing is by Heritage Framing in Walker, MN. The final framed size is about 15"x24" (I will enter exact measurements soon.) This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3729

6"x12" print on steel with hanging brackets are also available at Peculiar Painter for $42.00

Work Before Play Makes for a Great Day •SOLD

This painting has been a fun one to work on. I would work on it outside - when I wanted to relax and imagine raking leaves in the fall with my sister. I imagined having a cup of coffee before layering up to work in the crisp air and thought about the refreshing feel of a morning of work before setting off to play. I tried to create a mood where you can imagine yourself in this scene - with your sister or good friend.

Work Before Play Makes for a Great Day is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 260 lb. hot press paper. It is professionally framed by Heritage Framing with conservation glass. Final framed size is 16.5"x16.5". This original piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. Prints on powder coated steel with hanging brackets - size 8" square - are also available for $42.00 | 218-547-3729

Lily of the Valley Season *SOLD

Spring time, warm weather and the sweet scent of lily of the valley were surrounding me as I painted this piece. The curved leaves, rich green and sweet lily bells played off each other in this linear piece. I wanted it to feel crisp and polished.

Lily of the Valley Season is a brushed acrylic ink painting on hot press 187 lb. paper. It is professionally framed to a final size of 13.5" x 12.25" and available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN | 218-547-3729

Lily Nouveau *SOLD

The Alstroemeria is an understated flower - one that a friend of mine, who happens to be a florist, first pointed out to me. The sweet swoop and flow of the Alstroemeria has a lot of character and is a delight to paint.

Lily Nouveau is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. arches cold press paper. It is professionally framed to a final size of 7.5"x7.75" and is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 219-547-3729

Flight *SOLD

I find it interesting how certain lines, motions and colors can be a part of you. This painting started out as a loose sketch to clear my mind and relax. I decide I liked the feel of it so I turned it into a painting using acrylic ink. After it was finished I thought it had a very familiar feeling. I was reminded of a painting I created over 10 years ago which had almost the exact spirit. It's a comforting thought to know these motions and colors stay with me. Flight is about the freedom to create, move, fly, dance and feel inspiration.

Flight is professionally framed using conservation glass to a final size of 12.5" x 9.75". I thought a clean white 2" Mat weighted a little more on the bottom would give it a modern feel and compliment the crisp lines. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3729

Sunflower Style *SOLD

Every September I head to Montana to visit my sister and her family. Josie's gardens are filled with wonderful bright flower faces with lots of personality. Her house is in town but when you enter her back yard you feel like you are in your own magical space surrounded by borders of beautiful vines, bushes and flowers. I found plenty of drawing inspiration while visiting. 

This Sunflower has a lively and wild personality. Sunflower Style is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. watercolor paper. It is professionally framed to a final size of 6.5" x 11.5".