Lakeside Delight *SOLD

It feels to me like summer hats are back. This makes me happy. Not only do they add a polished touch and protect from the sun but they are so much fun to paint. This little painting is inspired by short hair styles, hats, docks and lakes - some of the best things about Minnesota.

Lakeside Delight is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 184 lb. toned mixed media paper. Size is 9"x7". It is professionally framed using conservation glass and available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN | 218-547-729

Wind Rower *SOLD

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  | 218-547-3729

Birch Lake View *SOLD

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

Golden *SOLD

I can close my eyes and imagine a hot summer day with the sun beating down. I can picture the white of a clean streamlined boat -  sails filled and smoothly gliding across a beautiful deep lake. I can see bare feet and light layers and picture golden skin and big smiles. This is what I was thinking about as I painted _Golden.

Golden is a loose palette knife painting.  This 12"x12" acrylic painting is on stretched canvas with painted edges. I framed it in a smooth maple floater frame to give it a modern museum feel. Golden is available at the Artist Mall in Walker, MN  | 218-547-4781

I'll Take My Coffee to Go *SOLD

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

Modern Scandinavian Garden - milkweed bloom blue *SOLD

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

After the Bloom *SOLD

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

Twirling Petals *SOLD

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

Pockets full of Poppies *SOLD

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

Seed Pod Soiree *SOLD

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

Fall Coat *SOLD

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 | 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

Summer Saturday Rituals *SOLD

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.

Sky Reflection *SOLD

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

Blanket Wrap *SOLD

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

Summer Rain at the Lake *SOLD

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

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. 

Crisp Late Autumn *SOLD

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

Go With the Wind *SOLD

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

Sky Water Wind *SOLD

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