Weaving Reflections •SOLD

 I have had this image in my mind for so long - it is satisfying to finally see it come to life! Bull Rush often appear in my paintings as a border but I wanted to see it as the main focus. When dried grasses wrap around the green Bull Rush it gives them a delicate woven quality. I wanted this piece to have a meditative quality. The blues, greens and yellow are subtle against the weaving reflections of the bull rush reflecting in the water.

Weaving Reflections is a Brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. arches paper. It is professionally framed with a white matte, conservation glass and deep navy frame. The final framed size is 20" square. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. | 218-547-3729

8" prints on steel as well as 6" prints on ceramic tiles are also available at Peculiar Painter.  

Pileated in Winter Flight •SOLD

 Woodpeckers and their wind rowing flight patterns have always fascinated. I have painted several pieces which have been inspired by them. The Pileated woodpecker, in particular, with its wide wingspan and lovely head-dress and striking colors against the winter backdrop make for a fun subject. 

Pileated in Winter Flight is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. hot press paper. It is professionally framed with conservation glass to a final size of 12" square. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. | 218-547-3729

In the Garden Series #4 - Sunflower Afternoon •SOLD

My - In the Garden Series continues with_Sunflower Afternoon. The last 3 paintings, in the garden series, had tame gardens. This painting is more free flowing with sunflowers dancing where they wish. The gardener has a loose relaxed style to match the wild garden. 

Sunflower Afternoon is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. hot press paper. This piece is professionally framed with conservation glass. Final framed size is 12.25"x18.5". This painting is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. | 218-547-3729

6"x12" prints on powder coated steel with hanging brackets are available of this piece. 

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

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

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

Shoreline Explorer

I was going for a graphic or woodcut feel with this painting. I wanted to create a piece that felt modern but classic. I wanted clean lines and movement. I wanted bright colors and blue to play off of yellow. My intent was to make the canoe and paddler secondary to the environment - the way we feel when we are exploring nature.

Shoreline Exploration is a brushed acrylic ink painting on 140 lb. hot press paper. It is professionally framed with conservation glass to a final size of 12.25" x 14.5". This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3729

Plum Blossoms *SOLD

Plum Blossoms is a new process for me - one that I am enjoying. Using a stretched canvas - with deep edge stretcher bars, I prepared the canvas with a watercolor ground which makes the canvas accept graphite, watercolor and ink. The new surface is smooth like an eggshell and very inviting to work with. I used a Daniel Smith watercolor ground.

The next step was sketching using a Caran d' Ache Technalo graphite pencil. My inspiration was a series of photos I took of plum blossoms from the spring bloom last year. We are almost to blossom time this year...but not quite. The graphite sitting on top of the smooth surface was a nice raw but elegant effect. I didn't want to overpower the sketch so I used a light Payne's Grey watercolor wash for the background and a touch of Red Earth brushed ink to finish the piece. The final layer is a UV matte finish to keep the piece clean.

Plum Blossoms is a 10"x30" graphite, brushed ink and watercolor piece on stretched canvas with a watercolor ground. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3729

Red Canoe *SOLD

FW artist inks have been a fun new tool for me. With this piece, I sketched my drawing using paynes grey ink and then over-painted with acrylic paint. The heavy-weight watercolor paper added a nice texture to the simple piece.

I felt like adding more pop to the piece with a bight cobalt turquoise coat of paint on the square frame. The final piece is a modern, simple - little piece with a lot of personality. The 4.25" artwork is framed to a final size of 7". Red Canoe is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $46.00 | 218-547-3729 

Feel the Wind *SOLD

Feel the Wind is a tiny little 5" square - acrylic painting on stretched canvas. The bird has a Goldfinch feeling about it although it is made up and more about motion than trying to be a certain bird. I wanted the piece to feel light. I used calming and rejuvenating colors to make the bird feel free and uninhibited. It is a good day to glide on wind currents - that's what this little painting is saying.

Feel the Wind is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $35.00 | 218-547-3729

Rhythm of the Grasslands 40"x40" original painting *SOLD

Rhythm of the Grasslands is a large 40" x 40" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with 1.5" stretcher bars and painted edges. 

One morning, I was driving to town and had to stop to photograph the wild grasses, along a marsh, near Kabekona. The light was hitting the golden grasses just right and the wind swirled the tall stems into a beautiful motion. The actual scene was golden ochres, browns and ivory. I visualized the painting as deep reds, yellow ochre and deep greens.

The painting took on many forms - as I built the layers. My final layer was the vivid cadmium orange which tied the grey green, red and ochres together. The finished painting is shown hanging in a home with tall ceilings and beautiful natural light.

Rhythm of the Grasslands 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

A Moment in SoHo

I am working on a series of graphite sketches titled - "a moment in."

This is "A Moment in SoHo." I based the sketch on a stylish women I came across while in SoHo in 2010. I was tempted to leave the sketch all graphite but the more I sketched ...the more I visualized RED accessories. She almost needs a red bag but I thought coffee fit the scene better. I will add a few more shadows to her dress before calling this one complete. jt

Bittersweet II

Bittersweet II is a bright painting of oranges, reds and yellows with hints of blues and greens. I exaggerated the size of the berries to be more bold and vibrant than "Bittersweet I" which I painted last year. The wild bittersweet berries are a bright climbing vine that have always made me happy and remind me of home in Minnesota.

Bittersweet II is a 24" x 30" acrylic painting on 3/4" stretched canvas. Available http://www.etsy.com/shop/TownsdinPaints
soon!

Homebody [finished]

It might have taken me a little while but "Homebody" is finished and off to its new home. I started "Homebody" this Winter [see February "In Progress" post] and have had it hanging on my mantel. I noticed the colors changed throughout the day with this painting so I would add color with the changing light until I found it satisfied me in all the light from morning to evening. "Homebody" is an acrylic painting on masonite. 

Wind in a Wheat Field

Wind in a Wheat Field is the largest painting I have ever created and I am loving working large scale. The color feels so much more dramatic and my brushes love the long sweeping motion. The is a commissioned painting for Gabe and Nicole Ripley. Gabe and Nicole recently remodeled their house and invited me to their lovely house to see what I thought would be a nice piece for their bright entrance. After some discussion and seeing the color flow and feel of the rest of their house I did a few graphite sketches and they picked the wheat as their choice to bring into paint. This is where we are after several hours at the canvas. If they like the direction I am going I will add some richness to the color and bring in detail to the wheat "whispies." I have a feeling I will be painting large scale more often after this. My neighbor Piper is checking out my work and gives scale to the 48" X 48" acrylic painting.