Spin, Glide and Fly *sold

The flight style of a woodpecker is so cheerful and lively. I can't help but love the little beacons of happiness. This 11 x 14 painting is acrylic on a linen stretched canvas. The color is vibrant and I used loose lines to reflect the light hearted feel of this piece.

Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $62.00

Cork Handle & Classic Reel *sold

Sometimes a frame inspires a painting. That was the case with this 3.5" x 17" painting. There is a great little frame shop in Walker called Heritage Custom Framing. Joel, the framer, keeps a few odd sized and beautiful frames hanging to entice us painters. This one caught my eye and I thought for a day, after seeing the frame, until I came up with the idea to paint my Grandfather's classic fishing rod. The frame has a solid classic look to it and so does Grandad's fishing rod. It might look like a fly reel at first but look close and you will see the classic detailing of a traditional casting rod with cork handle. I think this little painting, which measures 5.5" x 19" in its frame, will make you smile.

Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN 

Lean Into It *SOLD

"Lean Into It" is a large 48" x 36" acrylic painting on stretched canvas. I have had this painting in my mind for a long time. A friend once described the pure joy of leaning into a slalom spray and this is what I pictured. The skier is silhouetted except for a few highlights to make him feel like the sun is going down in the background. He is out for a refreshing evening ski on a calm lake. Can you imagine the smile. 

This would be a fun piece to hang over the mantle and remind you of the warm summer evenings playing on the lake.

Available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. 

218-547-3729

Fly In •SOLD

Fly In is a 16" x 18" graphite sketch with watercolor in the red areas.  How many birds do you see? There are 4 - one is doing a sharp dive. This piece was inspired by a conversation I overheard recently. A float plane pilot was discussing a fly in that happens on Lake Bemidji. I wondered, to myself, "Do birds have fly ins?" In the spirit of an organized woodpecker "Fly In" this drawing was born.

Fly In is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN. Framed

Boats and Bare Feet *sold

Boats and Bare Feet is the second painting inspired by a story told by a woman I recently met from Wisconsin. See the story inspiration in the next post titled "From work to Play."

Boats and Bare Feet is a 30" x 30" acrylic painting on stretched canvas. It is available at Peculiar Painter art supply and gallery in Walker, MN. 218-547-3729. 

From Work to Play

From work to Play is a graphite drawing with Derwent Inktense blocks on 140 lb watercolor paper.  Since opening my art supply and gallery I have met a lot of great people with fun stories about traveling the world and all the people they encounter. One story was told by a woman from Bayfield, WI. She described her days living on Madeline Island. She said she had 2 friends that were always there with a phone call when the wind was up. She said they would call and she would go straight from work to the boat, "It didn't matter if I was in heels and a skirt, we were ready to sail." It has been a month since Sally shared this story and 2 new paintings have come about from it.

From Work to Play is framed in an elegant frame by Heritage Custom Framing in Walker. See Peculiar Painter's facebook page for photos of the final work framed and matted.

From Work to Play is available at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN for $395.00
405 Front St W - 218-547-3729

Shores of Leech Lake *sold

It has been some time since I have painted on a cradled wood panel. Wood panels keep the paint on the surface and really let the layers stand out. This panel is 1.5" thick which really adds a nice dimension to the final piece as well. 

This is a small 8" x 10" acrylic painting. The inspiration is from the Walker Bay Regatta. The Shores of Leech Lake Yacht club is the center for activity during the regatta. This scene captures the boats as they prepare to head into the big lake. Since moving back to Minnesota I have been inspired, once again, to paint sailing scenes. 

The cradled panel is by Fox Haase Mfg out of Wisconsin and is made with Baltic Birch. Fox Haase sent me a panel sample to test for my store - Peculiar Painter. I am happy with the panel and plan on carrying these panels in the store soon. It is nice to carry a fine product made in the midwest. 

Shores of Leech Lake is available to view or for sale at Peculiar Painter in Walker, MN.