Gold Sunset Maples Triptych

"Gold Sunset Maples Triptych" 12"w x 4"h

"Gold Sunset Ridge"

 

After painting so much with cobalt blues and bright titanium white colors it's nice to paint with a warm palette especially after all the cold weather we've had here lately. The crimson leafed maples with their burnt sienna trunks and matching foreground along with the cadmium gold skies and shadows warm the soul. I'm itching to paint this theme on a grand scale, perhaps 30x40" or so .. we'll see. I have to get caught up on what's in progress then I'm going to enjoy the challenge of large scale painting. To me, painting large vs. small is the same as viewing a 80" plasma TV vs. the 20" TV for the couch potato. :) I like potatoes, and couches, but I'm no couch potato. :) I'm off to the easel, next week this blog will be full of new works. Can't wait! -A

Please contact Z Place Gallery in Ironwood, MI for more information on this piece.

Birchscape selections at Tree to Tree

"May Birch Forest", 18"w x 6"h

"Tiny Blues", 4"w x 4"h

I've been busy finishing off some new works lately that will soon be sent up to Grand Marais but I wanted to make sure I posted some new works that I painted a couple weeks ago for a neat little hammock shop in Two Harbors, MN called Tree to Tree. They have the most interesting hammocks in their store, and I also have a huge problem with their hammocks. The problem is, their hammocks are so comfy they are impossible to get my kids out of whenever I stop in the store! They've set up some nice displays both outside and inside with their hammocks available to test drive. The fabric color selection they use is also quite creative.

"Tiny Golds", 4"w x 4"h

Next time you're heading up the shore be sure to stop by .. they are right on the highway, next to The Vanilla Bean. This is the second year they've displayed some of my paintings for sale as well. These paintings today are an example of repetition. Repetition of color, subject, form ... one of the elements of design that is important to continuity especially from a visual artist. If you want to make your artistic voice known, you need to be consistent.

"Tiny Greens", 4"w x 4"h

Please stop back soon, I'll be consistently posting new work.

That is, if I can stay out of the hammock ... ;)

Bright Autumn Sky

"Bright Autumn Sky", 12"w x 36"

Yet another piece created on a rainy day. The darker, grayer, colder & wetter the weather outside, the brighter and warmer the paintings get in the studio. :) On the easel now are several green birch scapes that I'm eager to share next week. For now, the sun is shining, it's Friday, and life is good. Have a great weekend! -A

Please contact Jeff at Lizzards Gallery if you'd like some more information on this painting.

Night Light

"Night Light" 12"w x 36"h

Today's painting titled Night Light is based off one of my favorite times of year, Autumn. It's also influenced by moonlight, one of my favorite times of the day when the moon is full and sparkles and dances across the lakes and woodlands. I added just a little burnt sienna to the stones, and softened them up a bit, and liked the outcome. They seem to be warm and inviting as opposed to cold and sharp, as I often paint them. The golds are vibrant, most likely due to the rainy weather as I frequently ratchet up the contrast, color and brightness of my work when the days are gray. Warm sunshine today though, can't wait to feel it on my face. Please contact Jeff at Lizzards Gallery if you'd like some more information on this painting. :)

Little Guy in Green

"Little Guy in Green"

"Spring Cardinal No. 4", 4"w x 4"h

The birds have been so fun to watch as of late, it's as if they all arrived at once and are busy telling tales of their winter adventures in their warmer climates. I want to give them a hard time for flying south for the winter, yet I know I would probably do the same if I had wings and didn't have to work for a living lol.

The rain keeps a'falling here in Duluth, MN .. the sun is supposed to come out tomorrow, until then, I'll enjoy the birds dodging raindrops and calling out to each other .. what cheerful little creatures they are.

Please contact Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais, MN for more information on these paintings.

Spring Rock Shadows

"Spring Rock Shadows"

Here's a glimpse of the birch forest on a bright spring day. When I was a kid I remember jumping between large rocks in the woods, and now I get after my kids for doing the same thing lol. It's much easier to paint the rocks then to jump across them now, but I have many fond memories of rock jumping nonetheless. Pouring rain here in Duluth today, can't wait to see mr. sun soon .. perhaps Thursday. :)

Please contact Z Place Gallery in Ironwood, MI for more information on this piece.

Spring Maples

"Spring Maples", 6"w x 6"h

The rain is coming down in buckets today here in Duluth, MN ... along with 40 degree temps, it's a good day to stay inside. It won't be long before the sugar maple forests are leafed out in emerald greens like today's painting titled Spring Maples. I've enjoyed ratcheting up the color value lately in my work, especially in the skies and distant ridges. I've kept other areas darker and the contrast is very interesting. Lots of works on the easel to finish off this week, I'm off to the races. Have a great day!
-Aaron

Please contact Siiviis Gallery in Duluth, MN for more information on today's painting.

Spring Cardinal in Green

"Spring Cardinal in Green" 6"wx12"h

"Spring Cardinal No. 3" 4"w x 4"h

Layers and layers of green ... watching the leaves and flowers bud this time of year with their multiple shades of green has me inspired to capture the colors on canvas. No matter how many hundreds of shades of green I add to a piece I always feel like there could be more. I have many more on the easel at the moment, so exciting! Please stop back soon and have a great weekend!

Please contact Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais, MN for more information about these paintings.

Red Maple Sunset

"Red Maple Sunset" 12"w x 12"h

I don't know if other artists do this ... but I enjoy changing my palette on almost a daily basis. Paintings will be cool and loaded with cobalt blues, greys and ultramarine blues ... then it's on to deep evergreens ... then high contrast cardinals only to return to the colors that began it all, the colors of autumn. Hiking through the woods in the autumn season is something I long to do all year round. It brings back warm childhood memories and the colorful leaves and crisp cool air make the experience one to remember. Times like that influence my work year round, such as this piece featuring warm golds and crimsons along with burnt sienna. Red Maple Sunset ... a piece that warms my soul and brings a smile to my face. :)

Please contact Z Place Gallery in Ironwood, MI for more information on today's piece.

Spring Rocks

"Spring Rocks" 6"w x 6"h

Today's painting titled Spring Rocks may be a play on words, but it's also a simple, honest view of what I view on a daily basis here in Duluth, MN. My studio is located at the base of a steep hill that's covered with huge outcroppings of bluestone and thick birch and maple forests. I went for a hike through the neighborhood this morning and enjoyed the woods and wildlife as I went. My cocker spaniel did a good job of pulling me up the hill as usual ... and I did a good job of pulling the pooped out pooch back down the hill. The view at the top is amazing ... endless miles of lake Superior. I paused to watch a 1,000 freighter pulling into the harbor through the aerial lift bridge and also enjoyed the sun sparkling off the great lake. It's an amazing place to call home. I'll have to post some pics of this place in the future .. in fact, it would be fun to start a blog about this area to chronicle the photos I like to take. We'll see. It's going to be a beautiful sunny day, it will be hard to stay in the studio. Spring rocks. :)

For more information about today's piece, please contact Siiviis Gallery here in Duluth, MN.

Spring Sprang Sprung

"Spring Sprang Sprung" 18"w x 12"h

"Spring Cardinal No. 2" 4"w x 4"

I thought some bright spring cardinals would be in order for today. I'm getting over a nasty flu virus and it's good to get back on my feet again. It's been quite a winter, sometimes you want to put on a smile and tell everyone life is great, but honestly it's been a bit of a battle as of late. Perhaps that's the mountains and valleys of life. I remember hiking through Wyoming's Bliss Creek Valley as a Boy Scout. The mountains were incredible, hiking up and down switchback trails that weren't fit for a horse. We'd get to the base of the mountains where the creeks and rivers ran and it was cool and shady. The water was refreshing and I wanted to stay there, yet I knew we would soon depart yet again to climb another mountain. If you can find a way to embrace those mountains, the valleys are just icing on a cake ... that'll put a smile on your face. :)

Please contact Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais, MN for more information on today's pieces.

Spring Shadows Triptych

"Spring Shadows Triptych" 12"w x 12"h

Here in northern Minnesota the trees are just beginning to bud and the grass has finally started popping out of the ground. The anticipation of the season has people doing all kinds of activities outside, walking through the garden centers, thinking about what they'd like to plant in their flower beds and gardens. I've been thinking along these lines as well ... glancing into the endless birch forests around my home in Duluth as I drive and go for walks. Dreaming about what I may paint next ... so many ideas, so little time. :) One thing I do know ... greens, golds, cobalts, burnt siennas and the occasional crimson will be making their way onto the canvas. I've just completed a large series of spring themed works and sent them off to the galleries. Now the studio is empty, waiting for the next canvases to come to life. I'm thinking I'll begin another major work .. perhaps 30"x40" or so .. we'll see. Happy Sunday! -Aaron

Please contact Siiviis Gallery in Duluth, MN for more information on today's painting.

Spring At The Lake

"Spring At The Lake", 18"w x 18"h

Here in Duluth we've struggled to reach 40 degrees lately while everywhere else in the region is in the 60's and even 70's. That's life by the big lake, it keeps you cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Normally I enjoy the cooler weather in the summer but during the spring and fall it is a little on the chilly side. Nevertheless, the lake has inspired this piece ... birches dressed in green spring leaves along the lake along with a distant evergreen ridge. The golden sun sparkles in the sky and all the elements familiar to the northern Minnesota landscape are included ... rocks, water, trees. Get out and enjoy the spring ... and if you're in Duluth, bring warm clothes lol. :)

Please contact Z Place Gallery in Ironwood, MI for more information on today's piece.

The Gift of Gab

"The Gift of Gab" 20"w x 16"h

"Spring Cardinal No. 1" 4"w x 4"h

Today's painting titled The Gift of Gab features a theme that always brings a smile to my face. Birds looking towards one another as if in conversation. their beaks and feathers spiked on top of their heads is a natural arrow, directing the eye. From purely a visual standpoint, I've enjoyed painting the cardinal as the bright red captures your eye even from a distance and I find people talking about the cardinals probably the most of any theme I've worked with. From a more personal view, the collection of birds on the canvas could be my response to the long quiet hours in the studio. Part of me loves the quiet solitude, part of me longs for fellowship and that's the life of the artist. Like it or not, the you have to learn to embrace the quiet solitude as it's here where the thoughts and ideas come from. I suppose I'd better stop before I get too deep and introspective. :) My plan is to alternate between cardinal compositions and landscapes on the blog for the next couple weeks to keep it interesting.

Please stop back soon ... I'm off to the quiet solitude. TGIF. -A

Please contact Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais, MN for more information on today's pieces.

Spring Forest Shadows

"Spring Forest Shadows" 16"w x 20"h

It's soooooooooo nice to be painting with green again! I've been on a green binge here as of late ... completing 20 new works on canvas which will be uploaded here over the next couple weeks. Today's piece features shadows formed from the multiple layers of green on the burnt sienna foreground. Also the birches and maples together is a rare theme for me ... perhaps I should explore this theme more often ... perhaps I should go hiking and explore some more landscapes ... perhaps ... I should just get back to the easel.

It's difficult to explain, but I go through creative phases, almost like mountains and valleys ... and I'm on the mountain now, painting like there's no tomorrow. When the creativity hits, you just have to run with it.  :)

Please stop back soon ... and if you'd like more info. on today's piece, please contact Siiviis Gallery in Duluth, MN

-A