Solar Lanterns & Barn-Wood Backdrop *SOLD

Light and texture - circles and wood grain - these lines and colors have been going through my mind. I thought watercolor would work best for my vision but I wanted this piece to be large - a centerpiece. My vision also include the space I envision this piece hanging. A dining room with dark walls, a large slab wood table and minimal decor is where I picture this piece thriving. I kept the piece light so it would hold it's place on a dark wall. 

Solar Lanterns & Barn-Wood Backdrop is a watercolor painting on watercolor primed canvas. I used the Golden watercolor ground to give the piece a plaster feel under the watercolor. This piece is 36"x36" with 1.65" thick stretcher bars, cross braces and painted edges. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3729

Modern Scandinavian Garden - Iris Blooms *SOLD

I knew these wild irises would inspire more than one painting. This - watercolor version of my Modern Scandinavian Garden series - has a completely different color palette than my acrylic version. These colors may be closer to the actual blooms.

Modern Scandinavian Garden - Iris Blooms - is a watercolor painting on arches cold press 140 lb. watercolor paper. You can see the arches stamp in the top left corner - I like to include the stamp whenever possible. This piece is 16" x 6.5" and available - framed - at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $215.00 | 218-547-3729

Cafe & Boutique Afternoon *SOLD

I feel like the end of February and early March are my favorite time of year for sketching.  When the mood hits I enjoy turning on inspiring music, preparing a hot beverage, lighting some candles and enjoying the peace of graphite and paper. Sometimes I will sketch for days before turning to paint. 

With this little piece titled: Cafe & Boutique Afternoon - I decided to turn it into a watercolor with warm tones. The subject for this painting was a women - shopping along with a group of ladies - last summer. She was wearing a flowing wrap, carrying her coffee, hand-bag and shopping bags - looking like she was enjoying her afternoon.

Cafe & Boutique Afternoon is a 9" x 4.5" watercolor on arches 140 lb hot press paper. It is framed to 12.25"x8" and available soon at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN  | 218-547-3729

Path of Inspiration - SOLD

I started this piece at the end of 2017. I had a vision of a simple cerulean and navy blue wash - a calm piece with white space - very modern. This is a large watercolor 22.5" x 22.5" with a nice clean white boarder. As with most of my pieces - I set it where I could visit it everyday. I felt it wasn't complete although it was what I had envisioned. As we entered 2018 my mood changed. My energy and inspiration grew and I decided this piece needed more movement - more color - more depth. Orange, Paynes Grey and splatters of ink put the finishing touches on this piece.

I hope this piece represents the light and color I feel the new year brings. Path of Inspiration will be completed when I have it professionally framed. I'm still trying to decide what the perfect compliment frame will be. Final framed price and size to come. This painting is watercolor and acrylic brushed ink on 140 lb. cold press arches watercolor paper. 

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

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

Sassy Sunflower *SOLD

Sunflowers just have a certain sassiness about them - wouldn't you agree? The tall creatures of color begged to be painted. 

Sassy Sunflowers is a watercolor painting on 140 lb watercolor paper. It is professionally framed and matted to a final size of 9"x15". It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $98.00 | 218-547-3729

Open Air Market *SOLD

Farmer's Markets are the best places to find inspiration in color, fabrics, light, hats and earthy-flowy people. ...not to mention the fresh veggies, flowers, herbs, candles, knit-goods. etc etc etc. I stocked up on inspiration at the Wisconsin Farmer's Market and this painting is one of my creations from a bright sunny August day.

Open Air Market is a watercolor painting on 140 lb. cold press paper. It is professionally framed and double matted in a shadow box style with conservation glass. Final framed size is 10"x13" - Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $179.00 | 218-547-3729

Afternoon Reflection *SOLD

You might notice a theme with my figurative watercolors. . .they often hold a ceramic mug. When holding a warm beverage everything just falls into place. We slow down to savor our drink and reflect on where we are. This women is cozy in her sweater, relaxed and enjoying a break in the sunshine. 

I sketched Afternoon Reflection on the train while headed out west and finished it when ....I wasn't on a moving train. It is a small 5" square watercolor on 140 lb. watercolor paper. Final framed size is about 11" square | $179.00 | 218-547-3729

Milkweed Pods *SOLD

I started this piece with the frame. The frame caught my attention at Heritage Framing and with it's odd interior size of 7.5 inches square - I decided watercolor would work best. The background was the color I applied first - to compliment the frame. 

Daniel Smith watercolor has a gorgeous mineral paint called Fuchsite Genuine which shines, especially when mixed with other colors. The earth tones of the milkweed were then painted to stand out from the light background. The final piece has a summery feel. I do like to start with the frame so I can lay the artwork in it's frame - along the way - to make sure it sings together. 

Milkweed Pods is framed to a final size of 12"x12". Material is watercolor on 140 lb. hot press watercolor paper. Available after it is finished with conservation glass. $145.00 | 218-547-3729

Modern Scandinavian Garden - Thistle *SOLD

It's time for another colorful Modern Scandinavian watercolor. The bright thistle dotting the fields inspired this little whimsical piece. Over-exaggerated shapes and colors give this piece a Scandinavian feel. 

Modern Scandinavian Garden - Thistle is 9"x16" framed. It is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $160.00 | 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

Milkweed Tales *SOLD

As I painted Monarch Sanctuary - an acrylic painting on canvas - I thought the same subject would be fun to paint as a watercolor. I started out this watercolor in pale grey, washed blues and ochers but it took a turn for a brighter palette as I continued. Many transparent colors layer in this piece. I used a combination of loose washes - for the background - and tight detail for the front pods. 

The final size will be approximately 22"x26" framed and matted. Milkweed Tales will be available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $315.00

Sunflower MoonSprinkle *SOLD

How can you not love a sunflower with their floppy heads and bright petals? I tried a new technique of sprinkling masking fluid over my drawing - before adding paint. The technique felt less like water drops and more like floating wishes to me. Since evening is the best time to send wishes in the air - I titled it MoonSprinkle. 

Sunflower MoonSprinkle is a 10" x 10" watercolor painting on Arches 140 lb cold press paper. It is framed and available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $66.00 | 218-547-3729

Fiery Maple *SOLD

Fiery Maple was inspired by a lively Maple that lives on the south side of Leech Lake. I used a combination of Caran d Ache Technalo graphite pencils along with M. Graham watercolors and Pebeo drawing gum on this piece.  With Maple trees it is fun to exaggerate the colors - hence the name Fiery Maple. The tree that modeled for me was dressed in it's full green glory, at the time, but I can just picture her dressed in with flair for the Fall. 

Fiery Maple is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, Minnesota.

The Classic

I very rarely paint the same subject twice but this rod and reel has called to be painted a second time...and just might be painted a third and forth. My Grandfather's old rod and reel has a classic good feel to it. That might be because I know he once carried it on his way to the boat and his favorite fishing holes. I feel like this classic reel has stories to share.

This little watercolor is 6" x 10" - painted on 140 lb watercolor paper. Framed - $78 or unframed for $38. Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. 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