Bittersweet Braided Branches *SOLD

As you probably know by now - bittersweet is one of my favorite painting subjects. The branches alone provide inspiration - then add the vivid berries and their delicate dancing leaves and they provide the perfect subject.  For this painting - my largest bittersweet painting yet - I picked my models very carefully. Unwrapping the branches from their tree host - I tried to collect the grapevine intertwined with the bittersweet.  I included a photo of my models above.

This painting needs to be viewed in person to appreciate the subtle warm glow in the background. I couldn't capture it with a photo.

Bittersweet Braided Branches is a 12" x 36" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with cross braces and painted edges. This piece can hang horizontal or vertical. Stretcher bars are 1/5" thick. Painting is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN | 218-547-3729

Bittersweet Golden Days *SOLD

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

New Bittersweet paintings *SOLD

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. 

Fresh Bittersweet I and II *SOLD

I painted Fresh Bittersweet I and II using the same color palette. The orange and reds play off of the teal to give the pieces a fresh feeling of renewal. The berries in Fresh Bittersweet I are larger than Fresh Bittersweet II where the berries are smaller - giving me more space to focus on the curling branch.

Each piece is 6" square - painted on stretched canvas with painted edges. They are framed in a simple natural floater frames with a black inset to give them a modern feel. With the painted edges and stretched canvas - they do not need to be framed. I list them as either framed or unframed. Framed - the outside measurement is 7.5" square.

Fresh Bittersweet I (shown in top photo) - Framed: $92.00 or Unframed $76.00. Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN | 218-547-3729

Fresh Bittersweet II (shown in lower photo) - Framed: $92.00 or Unframed $76.00. Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN | 218-547-3729

Bittersweet Series Sept - 2015 *SOLD

Here is my newest series of little 6"x6" Bittersweet paintings. I'll never tire of painting these sweet, climbing, dancing, bright berries of the forest. 

Bittersweet series - August 2015 - is on hold at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN - $75.00 each | 218-547-3729

Bittersweet - Bright Afternoon II *SOLD

The bright blue sky, we have been seeing the last couple of days, has inspired yet another bittersweet painting. Cobalt Blue is my base for this happy little 8"x8" canvas.

Bittersweet - Bright Afternoon II is acrylic on stretched canvas with 3/4" stretcher bars and painted edges. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $68.00 | 218-547-3729

Bittersweet - Daybreak *SOLD

When it rains for 5 days straight - I'm bound to brighten my palette to try and bring a little sunshine to my eyes. That is the case with Bittersweet - Daybreak. 

One of my favorite color combinations is Naples Yellow Deep with Pyrolle Red because it creates a warm sunset base - as it did with this little painting.

Bittersweet - Daybreak is a 8"x8" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with painted edges. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $65.00 | 218-547-3729

Bittersweet - Headstong *SOLD

Bittersweet - Headstrong is at the framer receiving it's finishing touches. It will be mounted and displayed in a beautiful wood frame with just the right tone to really bring out the orange berries.

Actual artwork size is 8.5"x16.75" - final artwork in frame will be 10.25"x18.5". 

Bittersweet - Headstrong will be available soon at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $225.00  - framed | 218-547-3729

Bittersweet - Bright n Bold *SOLD

I strayed from my cobalt turquoise background and went for a cobalt grey background for this 8" square bittersweet painting. The bright orange berries seems to like their cool cobalt background. I also used a deep red for the underpainting here, instead of my usual phthalo blue outline.

Bittersweet - Bright n Bold is 8" x 8" acrylic painting on stretched canvas. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $65.00 | 218-547-3729

Bittersweet - Sweet n Sassy *SOLD

Ahh…another Bittersweet painting has arrived! This color combination of yellows, oranges and a hint of blue could be overwhelming…unless it is a tiny little 6" square painting. Put together on this small canvas, the bright colors become sweet and sassy…which is what I had to name it.

Bittersweet - Sweet n Sassy is a  5"x5" acrylic painting on stretched canvas. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $55.00 | 218-547-3729

New Crop of Bittersweet paintings 2015

Bittersweet - Sunny Days
5"x5" acrylic on stretched canvas
$52.00

Bittersweet - Bright Afternoon
8"x8" acrylic on stretched canvas
$65.00

With the grey winter days, surrounding us this week, I decided it was time for some bright bittersweet paintings. This batch of bittersweet ranges in size from 5" square to 8" square. The square format adds a modern feel to these bright little pieces. Enjoy - I have more on the way!

Each piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. | 218-547-3729
Prices, sizes and titles for each original piece are listed below each painting. 

Bittersweet - Old Fashion
5"x5" acrylic on stretched canvas
$52.00

Bittersweet - Blue Sky
6"x6" acrylic on stretched canvas
$55.00

Bittersweet Swirl *SOLD

Yup….that's Bittersweet. I just can't help but paint it. I stopped counting how many bittersweet paintings I have created - that's how much fun it is to paint.

This 9"x12" painting is titled Bittersweet Swirl and is acrylic on stretched canvas. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3729

Bittersweet Vine III

This tiny little 5"x5" bittersweet painting changes dramatically depending on what light it is in. Here it is photographed in bright natural daylight which brings out the yellow and aqua hints. In some light it looks almost grey or deeper green. I used a Pthalo Blue green shade for the under layer sketch and to give the little canvas extra life.

Bittersweet Vine III is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $42.00 | 218-547-3729

Bittersweet Dance III *SOLD

Bittersweet Dance III was a commissioned piece. It was commissioned by a fellow bittersweet enthusiast who saw one of my smaller paintings, which was similar to this piece. She had a specific size request and since painting bittersweet is one of my favorite subjects, I went right to work on it.

Bittersweet Dance III is an 11" x 14" acrylic painting on stretched canvas.

Bittersweet - Cobalt Turquoise *SOLD

Oranges, reds and cobalt turquoise play against each other with this Bittersweet painting.  I also used a textured background for this 10"x10" canvas to give the piece the illusion of having more depth.

Bittersweet - Cobalt Turquoise is a 10"x10" acrylic painting on stretched canvas and is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $65.00 | 218-547-3729

Fiery Berries *SOLD

The combination of Naples Yellow deep and Pyrrole Red is as close to a sunset as I can get. I used this combination of colors for the background of Fiery Berries - a portrait of Bittersweet berries. I lost track of how many Bittersweet paintings I have done but this one has to be the brightest.

I thought the contrast of Apple Indicator's cool colors against the Fiery Berries warmth was a nice compliment. Fiery Berries is a small 5" square acrylic painting on stretched canvas with painted edges. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3729

Sunshine on Bittersweet *SOLD

Bittersweet, my favorite painting subject, makes another appearance. This time I used a lighter palette of ivory and warm gray behind the bold oranges and reds of the bittersweet vines.

This little 5" x 5" painting is acrylic on stretched (1.5" thick stretchers) canvas. Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $40.00 | 218-547-3729

Weaving Bittersweet - *SOLD

I stopped counting how many bittersweet paintings I have done. ..they are just so much fun. This is a tiny little 5"x5" acrylic painting stretched over 1.5" stretcher bars to give it a nice presence.

Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $40.00 - 218-547-3729

Bright Bittersweet *SOLD

Bright Bittersweet is the newest addition to the bittersweet family of paintings. This one is full of complimentary colors playing off of each other to really convey the bright pop of the bittersweet berries.

This piece is 9"x12" - acrylic on canvas, an original painting by Jessie Townsdin. Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN 

218-547-3729

Bittersweet Dance *sold

This just might be my most painted subject...next to fly fishing scenes. Bittersweet berries and vines have so much character and color to them that I never get tired of painting them, sort of like eating Thai food. yum.

This bittersweet painting leans more toward the grayish green side with bright pops of yellows, orange and red. It is acrylic on stretched canvas and measures 10" x 20" over thick 1.5" stretcher bars. This pieces is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $110. 

218-547-3729