Kingfisher's Style *SOLD

This Kingfisher is a regular visitor near our home. His style makes me think of a well dressed young man with punk rock hair do. He must be a poet or musician. He sits and observes and is quick to fly if I get too close - so I observe from a distance and enjoy his company. 

This little piece was fun to paint. With the holidays being so full, when I get the chance to sit down and work on a smaller piece it balances me out and lets my mind relax. I painted Kingfisher's Style with acrylic based ink on 140 lb. hot press paper. My attempt here is to give the piece a limited color woodblock feel although it is a painted piece. 

Kingfisher's Style is professionally framed to a final size of 11.25" x 11.25". | 218-547-3728

Shoreline Rhapsody *SOLD

Shoreline Rhapsody is a piece about warmth, color, reflection and interdependent nature. It's about the flutter of grasses and the song of a sparrow.  I want you hear the sounds of the shoreline.

Shoreline Rhapsody is a 36"x36" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with 1.5" thick stretcher bars and painted edges along with cross braces. I used a combination of palette knife and paint brush. It is hard to see the detail in a 6" digital image of a 36" painting. This piece will be available soon at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. | 218-547-3729

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

Winter Solstice *SOLD

As the snow slowly fell this week - visions of warm fires, layers, playing outside and hot beverages inspired me. Timing has everything to do with painting a winter scene. 

Winter Solstice is an acrylic painting on stretched canvas. I used very thick paint and layered white over color to give this piece a richness. The stretcher bars are 7/8" thick as compared to my usual 1.5" inch stretcher bars. I did paint the edges but imagine a nice maple frame complimenting this piece. Size is 11" x 23". Winter Solstice is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. SOLD | 218-547-3729

Dockside Reflection prints and cards

Prints of my 4th painting in the Walker, Minnesota series are here.  Unframed prints are 14"x5.5" plus a 1" border - $30.00. I also have professionally framed prints. Cards are available for $4.25 each. | 218-547-3729

Dockside Reflection - Walker Series #4 *SOLD

My vision for the 4th painting in my Walker, Minnesota series was of a woman sitting on the city dock with a braid over her shoulder, long skirt, striped top - a peaceful pose - very feminine. I had some ideas for my model. Then one day, while I was at the gallery, the perfect model walked in.

Shannon was in town visiting family. She was dressed casually in a sleeveless top with stripes, jeans, braid over her shoulder and hat in her hand. Her long elegant form was perfect for the image I wanted to paint. Thankfully she wasn't in a hurry and I enjoyed getting to know a little bit about her as we walked to the dock to take a few inspiration photos. I commented on her perfect posture - turns out she is a yoga instructor...which makes sense considering her graceful and fit form.

Dockside Reflection is a brushed acrylic ink painting on arches 140 lb. hot press paper. This piece is professionally framed and matted with conservation glass. Final framed size is 27" x 14.75" and available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN | 218-547-3729

Swirly Life *SOLD

This was a fun little painting inspired by lively plants with lots of color and personality.

Swirly Life is a 6.5" square brushed ink painting on 140 lb. cold press paper. It is professionally framed with conservation glass.

Modern Scandinavian Garden - Wild Weeds *SOLD

This Modern Scandinavian garden piece is another one inspired by my surrounding at my sister's house in Montana. She captured my hands drawing as I sat in her red chairs and admired all the fun things growing around her yard. We visited and enjoyed a cocktail as I sketched. It was a perfect evening.

I finished painting this piece when I returned home to Minnesota. Vibrant greens, warm yellows and hints of reds give this piece it's Scandinavian twist. Modern Scandinavian Garden - Wild Weeds is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. watercolor paper. It is professionally framed and matted with conservation glass. Final size is 8" x 19". Painting is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3720

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". 

First Snow in Town *SOLD

Life is slowing down and visions of layers, hats, coffee, soup, and blankets are dancing in my head.  A cozy young woman with an afternoon to sip coffee and wander about town sounded lovely to paint - so ....here she is!

First Snow in Town is a brushed ink and watercolor painting on 140 lb. Winsor and Newton watercolor paper. It is professionally framed and matted to a final size of 10.25" x 10.25" (conservation glass). This piece is available soon at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN| 218-547-3729

Red Accessories *SOLD

Red Accessories was inspired by a woman - wearing a big hat - that I saw sitting on a bench in SoHo, NY. This started out as a simple graphite sketch on natural paper. Recently, I decided to revisit the sketch and add a lake scene and a touch of color - hence the red accessories! I thought she had a classic calm feel to her like summer is ending and she has a chance to breathe!

Red Accessories is professionally framed to a final size of 24" x 24". It is Sold but cards are available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN | 218-547-3729

Milkweed Bloom in Watercolor

I just can't seem to get enough of Milkweed as a painting subject. The blooms, the pods, the leaves...what's not to love?

This watercolor piece is painted on 140 lb. arches rough grain watercolor paper. I brought this piece to Heritage Framing for framing and left the matting color choice up to him. I was surprised to see the double mat of grey/green and lavender. I never would have thought of that but was pleased with the result. Hanging on a grey wall - all the colors compliment each other. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $135.00 | 218-547-3729

Balsam Poplar *SOLD

This year, with spring arriving so late, the emergence of leaf buds was especially welcome. These Balsam Poplar buds had such an elegant shape - I was looking forward to painting them. Originally I sketched them as a horizontal piece but felt it worked as a vertical piece as well. I had hangers placed so it can hang either way.

Balsam Poplar is a 8" x 15" brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 Lb. arches hot press paper. It is professionally framed with conservation glass. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3729

Modern Scandinavian Garden - Globe Thistle *SOLD

A new Modern Scandinavian Garden painting is complete. This one took many weeks with all it's little details on a large canvas. I have painted Globe Thistle in the background of several Modern Scandinavian pieces. This time I decided the Globes should be the stars. I know thistle of this variety are more lavender in color - but I felt this piece called for more blues and hints of lavender throughout.

As with my other large garden series, a bird made an appearance. This little Hummingbird is so tiny he might be missed - look closely. Sizes are exaggerated and colors magnified to give this piece a bold whimsical presence.

Modern Scandinavian Garden - Globe Thistle is a 48"x36" acrylic painting on stretched canvas. Stretcher bars are 1.5" thick with cross bars - edges are painted. Original painting is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3729

Shawn [not for sale]

Back in the early 2000 I want through a brown phase. Most of my paintings were very earthy and sepia toned with light blended layers. Since then my colors have gotten brighter, paint thicker and lines bolder. 

I thought it was time to liven up a painting I did around the year 2000. This is a portrait of my sister, Shawn. It was a gift to my Mom. My Mom loves blue and I gifted her a brown painting. Needless to say - she was thrilled with the updated painting. I am rather happy with the update myself. It is nice to see paintings in my different styles throughout the years but sometimes....you just have to add color.

Shawn is not available for sale. I do have cards available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. | 218-547-3729

Dock-Side Picnic *SOLD

The fishermen is on his way home for a picnic at the dock - just in time to watch the sun set and talk about the day's catch. Imagine a cool summer evening - with a light breeze and fireflies just about to appear. If you have ever spent a summer at the lake you know the peace of being at the water.

Dock-Side Picnic is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. arches cold press paper. Image size is 6"x10" - framed to a final size of 9.65"x13.65". This piece will be available soon at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3729

Modern Scandinavian - Eye of the Bloom *SOLD

I sketched this little piece while waiting at the Optometrist's office - hence the title. There are so many cheerful little plants in bloom right now. This is an ode to the little creatures that brighten our view and perspectives. 

Modern Scandinavian - Eye of the Bloom is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 350 lb. mixed media paper. It is professionally framed to a final size of 8.75" x 6.75". This pieces is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN | 218-547-3729

Bird's Foot Trefoil stylized *SOLD

It seems to me that these tiny little flowers have taken over this year!  I took a dramatic perspective to paint this piece. These little beauties remind me of tiny orchids. I love the roundness and symmetry of this plant.

Bird's Foot Trefoil Stylized is a small brushed acrylic ink painting on 350 lb. mixed media paper. It is professionally framed to a final size of 6.25" x 8" and available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN | 218-547-3729

Nuthatch View II *SOLD

This little painting was going to be all black, white and grey until I decided it needed  a little zing of color to make the upside down bird pop. It's amazing how color can change a piece. 

Nuthatch View II is a small 5"x5" brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. Cold Press paper. SOLD

Revive & Refresh *SOLD

I know I'm not the only one who feels the need for red. Once upon a time I painted an entire room red and decided that was a little TOO much red but red on a canvas feels just about right. This piece - as suggested in the title - is meant to calm the mind, to relax you and let you be in the movement of the piece.

With the rich tone of the red this piece does need a specific location where it gets nice even natural light or is lit from above such as a mantel with directional lighting.

Revive & Refresh is a 30" x 30" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with 1.5" thick stretcher bars and painted edges. It will be available soon at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. | 218-547-3729