Forest Breath

 I painted - Forest Breath - with a palette knife which gives it a nice thick texture. The texture also picks up the light differently depending on the time of day. I started out thinking this would be a summer scene but hints of autumn snuck in giving it a late summer feeling. This large painting would do well in an entryway or in a room with high ceilings. 

Forest Breath is an acrylic painting on deep edge, professionally stretched canvas with cross braces and painted edges. This piece measures 40"x60" and is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. for $3,400.00 | 218-547-3729

One Thread One Drop One Light •SOLD

 If you have ever stood up on a paddle board - on a calm day - you know this feeling. A calm meditation on water begins. The sounds around the lake relax you, the motion of the paddle revives you and the feeling of standing on water is like nothing else. You feel the beauty of the light and colors around you - dancing off of the water. 

I have this vision of painting a paddle series from above. With the help of my brother's drone flying skills, I have a collection of photos to help inspire this series. This is the start of a series of painting from above, as the paddle shapes the water and the light dances from above. 

One Thread One Drop One Light - is an acrylic painting on stretched canvas with painted edges. I used palette knife for most of this piece so the paint is thick and loose. Size is 30" square. This piece will soon be available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. | 218-547-3729

Lead the Way *SOLD

 I am beginning to see a pattern in color with my palette knife paintings. I do love to mix cobalts, teals, cerulean and sky blues with a touch of yellows and reds. The sailboat stands apart with clean whites and ivory. There are 3 sailboats in this painting. I hope you can feel the sun, wind and water from this painting.

Lead the Way is a 24"x24" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with 1.5" thick stretcher bars and cross brace. The edges are painted. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN.  | 215-547-3729

Let There Be Days Like This •SOLD

When working on a Palette Knife Painting - my vision is always about color, feel and movement. I wanted this piece to feel like light dancing across the lake - highlighting the fishermen who are content in their surroundings. I pictured 2 buddies who enjoy each others company, they laugh easily and have a healthy competition for the biggest fish. They meet, at the end of the day, to circle their favorite fishing holes as the sun goes down and they clear their heads and think only about the fish that might be hungry below. 

Let There Be Days Like This is a 40"x30" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with painted edges and cross bars. This is a deep edge canvas. I used thick layers of paint which does give this painting some weight. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN.  | 218-547-3729

New Morning Paddle *SOLD

I wanted this piece to be about color, elegant blues and rich texture. My vision was for the kayakers to be visible but secondary - enjoying the elements - a small part of their big environment. It took many color combinations to achieve this vision. 

New Morning Paddle is a 30"x40" acrylic painting on stretched canvas. It is custom framed in a beautiful mahogany frame by Stanley Townsdin woodworking. Final size is 31.25"x41.25". This piece will be available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN | 218-547-3729

Essence of Summer *SOLD

I have a lot of respect for the sailors who can read the wind and guide their boat to where they want to go. I am NOT a sailor but have been on several very memorable sailboat adventures.  This is a skill I admire. This painting was inspired by a couple I could tell were well practice at reading the wind and sailing together. Imagine the early August sunshine and ease of sailors in their element dancing across the clear blue lake. 

Essence of Summer is a 36"x36" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with 1.5" thick painted edges and cross braces. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN | 218-547-3729

Seasons Collide •SOLD

This past October brought some amazing golds, ocher and reds to the trees in the north woods. One day I went for a walk thinking how gold everything was. The next day brought snow and the contrast of the white against the yellows and birch tones was so striking I had to try and capture it. 

My final piece feels more like a warm fall day than the first snow...I'm ok with that. This piece is created with palette knife and brush. The layers are thick with some fine detail in the bark and branches but overall it is a loose painting with the focus on color.

Seasons Collied is a 30"x40" acrylic painting on stretched canvas. Stretcher bars are 7/8" thick with cross braces. Edges are painted. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN (professionally framed). | 218-547-3729

Time Well Spent *SOLD

I contemplated titling this one: First, Biggest and Most. I think a lot of you would understand the title. Fishing with my family we always turn it into a friendly competition. The more I thought about fishing - the final title came to mind. I have never had a bad day fishing. Fishing could be a prescribed therapy for the mind.

Time Well Spent is an acrylic painting on stretched canvas. This is a palette knife painting with many layers. I did use brush work for the boat and fishermen details. Size is 30"x40".  Canvas is professionally stretched with cross bars and painted edges. Edges are 1.75" thick. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3729

Paddle Rhythm & Water Reflection *SOLD

Impressionism colors were dancing in my head as I painted this canoe scene. I wanted to create a piece that felt like a memory of canoeing on a sunny day. I thought back to paddling with my Mom, with my friends, with my sisters. This is about a light hearted afternoon enjoying the company in your boat and rhythm of the water. 

Paddle Rhythm and Water Reflections is a 36"x12" acrylic painting on stretched canvas. Stretcher bars are 1.75" thick and painted. The is a palette knife painting so paint is thick and textured. This piece is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3729

Take the Long Way Home *SOLD

Do you know the feeling of being on the lake - alone - with the whole afternoon to yourself, a bucket of bait and a fishing rod by your side? Do you know the feeling of shedding layers because the sun feels so nice?  Do you know the thrill of checking fishing holes until you time it just right for the hole that just keeps producing keepers? Then you know about taking the long way home.

Take the Long Way Home is a 30" x 30" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with cross braces. 1.5" thick stretcher bars and painted edges. 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

Warmth *SOLD

For this latest painting - I pictured warm tones - a day where the sun warms your face and hair - a light breeze keeps you from getting too hot. I picture a content tone and inspired thoughts. When I picture these things I picture these colors.

This piece is not going to appeal to everyone but some will feel it like I do and it will warm their eyes and fill their thoughts with summer breezes, evenings on the lake or a mind clearing walk....at least I hope it will. Sometimes we need a  piece that relaxes our minds and brings us to a clearer space. This pieces will be at home surrounded by open windows, candles, wine and music.

Warmth is a 30" x 40 acrylic painting on stretched canvas with 1.5" thick stretcher bars, painted edges and cross braces. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $675.00 | 218-547-3729

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

Reaching Light *SOLD

Reaching Light is a multi layered painting-inspired by the sweeping motion of the leaves from an Ash tree. Trees have so many inspiring elements that sometimes I have to focus in on one section to really capture the detail of their beauty. Other times I step back and feel the power of these towering beauties.

Reaching Light is a 30"x30" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with painted edges and 1.5" thick stretcher bars. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $975.00

Sun in Your Sails *SOLD

Imagine the wind pushing your boat at a steady speed and the sun warming your skin. These days are coming again soon. Similar to my larger sailboat - palette knife paintings - this piece is about color, mood and movement.

Sun in Your Sails is an acrylic painting on canvas. It is framed to a final size of 12.5"x15" and available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $145.00 | 218-547-3729

Middle of the Afternoon *SOLD

Can you feel the lake calling - "take a long lunch break and come out to play," she says. This loose palette knife painting is about leaving the routine behind for an afternoon, slipping on some sandals and heading for the lake. 

Middle of the Afternoon is 18"x24" acrylic painting on stretched canvas with 1.5" thick stretcher bars and painted edges. It is available at the Artist Mall and Heritage Framing of Walker | 218-547-3545 for $335.00