Pine River

"Pine River" 18"wx18"h, Sivertson Gallery, Grand Marais, MN

I titled this painting Pine River after it was complete due to the distant pine ridge in the background. The title is a bit ironic as I had some fancy birch river type of title in my head as I was working, yet the background becomes the subject and title as it so often happens in my work. The rocks in the piece have some variation of color hue, size and shape, and the river sparkles in ultramarine blue tones. The light source is a bit on the subtle side, with the evergreen shadows on the different parts of the riverbank give a glimpse of distant ambient light. My work has been becoming more intricate as of late as well, something new for me ... but I enjoy the challenge of new subjects and styles. But running thoughout this piece and others of mine as well is the concept of minimalism. How do I paint this subject as simply and clearly as possible? That's a question I often ask myself as I work. I endeavor to answer that question with a singular brush and limited color palette. Please contact Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais, MN for more information on this piece.

Rock On

"Rock On", 18"x 18", Sivertson Gallery Grand Marais, MN

Spending so much time at lake Superior and the local creeks this summer has influenced my work. The rocks that line the waters have such interesting forms and colors, and the reflections in the water is also very visually interesting. I haven't been trying to capture what I see realistically, but I paint more of the lasting impression the landscape makes upon me. The rocks are scattered all across the canvas in this piece, and the rocks feature a wide range of grays and cobalt blues. The sun sparkles in a straight line across the canvas vertically, and it reflects across the exposed land. The water is a bit more subtle in this piece too, the sparkles are there, but don't compete too much with the golds and yellows of the sun. Rock on.

Please contact Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais, MN for more information on this piece.