Postcard from Minnesota *SOLD

Living in the town I grew up visiting on Summer vacation often makes me feel like a tourist - savoring the lake and small town speed. This painting was inspired by a visitor I caught taking in the Walker Bay view in just that way. She looked comfortable and relaxed and I imagine her thoughts were in the moment - surrounded by lake, sky and a nice breeze. 

This piece has a special place in my Walker series because it reminds me of several visitors that frequent my little shop. It's funny how age at this angle can vary from young adult to retiree which is why she brings thoughts of several of my favorite visitors. 

Postcard from Minnesota is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. hot press watercolor paper. It is framed to a final size of 9"x11" with conservation glass. I thought this original spoke best without a mat - simple and elegant. Postcard from Minnesota original is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. Prints and postcards will be available soon as well. 

Unbelievable Tweetie Pie Begonia *SOLD

I've not heard of a May Day Plant before but I sure like the idea and that is how this sweet Begonia came to me. My Tweetie Pie Begonia has brought lots of joy to our patio this year. The soft tones and lovely blossoms dance in their pot. I can see where it gets it's name.

Unbelievable Tweetie Pie Begonia is a 6" square brushed ink painting and watercolor primed canvas with .75" painted edges. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $86.00 | 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

South Wind & Sunshine *SOLD

I have painted several pieces with this feeling of freedom, summer and fresh water. Palette knife helps me capture the open space and dancing light on water.

South Wind and Sunshine is a 10"x10" 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

After the Fire *SOLD

After the Fire was inspired by the stem of a Fire Weed after the blooms are finished. Fire Weed itself is a beautiful plant but I am most fond of the swirl it creates when the stem is dried by the elements. The movement and color has a harmonious feel. I read that Fire Weed is one of the first plants to take over after a fire. The title has double meaning - after the fire - Fire Weed appears. After the Fire Weed blooms - harmonious swirls appear.

This piece is hard to photograph - it really must be seen in person to feel the true color and movement. Also, the colors change dramatically depending on the light. I used a lot of deep Naples yellow to contrast the rich reds but also added a top layer of a warm grey that comes out when the painting is in shadow. 

After the Fire  is a 12"x36" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with painted edges. Stretcher bars are 1.5" thick with cross braces. This pieces will be available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $395.00 | 218-547-3729

Layers of Light *SOLD

Is there anything as inspiring for a painter as the fall color combinations? My palette for this pieces was one of the brightest I have mixed. As I look through my resent paintings I see a pattern of intense cobalts, teals and Phthalo blues. With this piece I mixed yellow ochre with many of my colors to give the painting an overall feel of warmth. I wanted it to feel like a warm early fall day - where the colors are turning but the lake is still warm and inviting. 

Layers of Life is a 48" x 30" acrylic painting on professional grade stretched canvas with cross braces and 1.5" thick stretcher bars - painted edges. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN | 218-547-3729

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

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

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.

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

Cabin View Sunset *SOLD

My husband has a framed photograph of the sun going down across a cozy looking lake. The dock and trees are a silhouette in the foreground. He says he took it at a cabin his family stayed at in Canada. This photo is calming - peaceful. I used his photo for inspiration to create this piece. I think many of us who have spent time "Up North" can imagine waking up and walking down to the dock with a blanket and cup of coffee to enjoy the calm and the view. 

Because I painted the piece to feel like a sunset the colors are soft and deep without a lot of bright whites. Because of this - the painting, especially the blues, take on a different color in different light. As you can see in the above photos - sometimes the blues look teal while other times they are more of a marine blue. 

Cabin View Sunset is a 12" square brushed ink painting on stretched canvas with painted edges. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $225.00 | 218-547-3729

Tree Hugger *SOLD

The combination of teals, ochres, cobalt and pops of orange make for a cheerful painting. I wanted these birch trees to feel like a perfect walk in the woods on a 72" day with the sun shining down. 

Tree Hugger is a watercolor painting on 140 lb. watercolor paper. It is professionally framed and matted with conservation glass. Framed size is 11"x9". Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $95.00 | 218-547-3729

Birch Behavior *SOLD

I used my favorite ink combination of earth red and cool grey for this birch tree painting. Something about this color combination just feels complete. I found the frame before starting the piece. I enjoy working with the frame in mind. When the piece is done it says - I'm home!

Birch Behavior is a brushed ink painting on 140 lb arches watercolor paper. Final size is 11"x17". It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $185.00. Professionally framed with conservation glass.