Autumn at the Depot

"Autumn at the Depot" 36x24

It's a new year and along with changing the calendar I have some new paintings ready to go, and endless ideas to explore this coming year. I thought I'd start this year off with a special piece, this painting is titled Autumn at the Depot, and is 36x24, acrylic on canvas. This piece is my contribution to the Duluth Art Institute's annual membership exhibition. The show is always a fun assortment of emerging artists and grumpy old professional artists like myself .. and everyone inbetween. If you're in the Duluth area anytime between Jan. 26 and Feb. 24 2017, please stop by the Depot to view this piece and many more interesting pieces from the other members. I had fun painting this one, reminiscing on my many trips to the Depot with my children when they were younger to see the trains and play at the children's museum. I used my imagination on this one as well, painting the depot in Autumn while using a winter reference photo I had taken, and also using a night setting which allowed the golds of the foliage and the light cream color of the building to pop against the night sky. The roof is a greenish grayish color, and I also didn't want to try to pair that color against a light blue or gray sky. Otherwise, I slaved away on this piece as the roofline and window details kept me making constant adjustments, but I didn't mind as I wanted this to be a memorable piece, which it is. Here's to a wonderful 2017 filled with life, laughter, color, and joy ... and many more memorable trips to the Depot.

Glensheen Memories

"Glensheen Memories" 8x8" acrylic on canvas

Today's post is titled Glensheen Memories, and is an 8x8" acrylic on canvas. This piece is the last in a three part series from the Plein Aire week last week. This painting is of a small building on the Glensheen grounds, and the building caught my eye with the unique architectural details and blooming hollyhocks on the right. Perhaps this is a front door I'd enjoy arriving home to every day, especially with it's close proximity to the lake. The Plein Aire week was fun, and I'd like to take another shot at painting outside, especially when not pressed for time. And after last's weeks devastating thunderstorms took out power in wide swaths across northern Minnesota, I have some catch up work to do but I'm thankful the power has been restored. Have a great week.  This piece is part of three new works on display at the Duluth Art Institute now through Sept. 9, 2016 in the upper gallery.

Duluth Art Institute Annual Membership Show

Every year the Duluth Art Institute offers a show to it's artist members that is exhibited in the Great Hall of the Depot. I've participated for about five years now, and every year I enjoy browsing through the show to view the wide variety of artwork on display. It's fun to see art by kids, people who are just starting out and on up to full time professional artists. My wife took a photo of yours truly standing next to this year's featured work of mine titled To You I Will Always Return (Acrylic on 36"w x 24"h canvas). If you'd like to read my blog about this painting from this past October please click here. Please stop by the Depot to view the show now through February 21 2016.

Also of note are two additional shows at the Duluth Art Institute that I've had the pleasure of viewing already. The shows are Land of Wonder by Shawna Gilmore, and Public Domain: Photographs by Ken Bloom. Shawna's work is full of color, life and whimsy, and her work can be viewed online at her website. Ken's photographs are a collection of black and white prints from the 70's in Asia. Very cool. Speaking of cool, the thermostat was 20 below zero this morning in Duluth, so make sure to bring warm clothes. :) Have a great weekend.
-A

The Tavern on the Lake

"The Tavern on the Lake" 36"w x 24"h

Here is a new painting which is 36"w x 24"h and the subject is the familiar business located on Superior Street in Duluth named Sir Benedict's Tavern on the Lake. This painting is a donation to the Duluth Art Institute's annual fundraiser called Artistic Duluth. The event is held Saturday, October 18, 2014, 7 - 10 PM, at the Kitchi Gammi Club here in Duluth, MN. Ironically, the Kitchi Gammi Club is right next to Sir Ben's, which wasn't planned by me, but interesting nonetheless. I've thoroughly enjoyed painting this piece, and I'm confident it's new owner will enjoy it for years to come, it literally lights up the room just like Sir Ben's warms up a cold rainy autumn evening with the familiar warm glow of light, music, and fellowship which emanates from the building like warm crackling fire. On the donation form, I was asked to write a description of this piece, which I'll include below. For now, please contact the Duluth Art Institute to inquire about tickets to Artistic Duluth if you're interested in this piece, or many other beautiful works of art by other local and regional artists for auction.

All my best,
–A.Kloss

The Tavern on the Lake (acrylic on 36”w x 24”h canvas) is a painting inspired by a familiar restaurant on the shores of lake Superior. While I'm not a frequent guest at Sir Benedict's Tavern on the Lake, I enjoy the architecture and color of the building every time I pass by. During my college years I would stop by and listen to the music coming from over a dozen guitar, fiddle, mandolin and tin whistle players who were packed into a small space off in the corner. This music was spontaneous and the warmth and joy of the place made me remenisce of my ancestral country Ireland which is known for it's music … and taverns.

Winter Forest Cardinals

"Winter Forest Cardinals" 30"w x 24"h, $600, Duluth Art Institute

Here is my painting for the Duluth Art Institute's Annual Membership show. This piece is titled Winter Forest Cardinals and features six bright red cardinals perched on birches at a lake. The snow covered shoreline has large bluestone boulders scattered across it's icy blue and white speckled surface. There are several underbrush visible in the foreground and background, and I have fun playing with the color value of the cobalt and ultramarine blues to give the depth I was after. The moon is offset to the left and sparkles across the lake which is rich in deep blue color. The moon radiates across the sky with gradually intensifying color value and is the focal point of the piece. There is also a subtle distant ridge if you look at the sky closely. This landscape is reminiscent of the endless subzero weather we've had  here that's been giving all of us cabin fever. Winter's icy grip won't last however, and soon spring will arrive and old man winter will have to move north. I'm already anxiously awaiting the spring trout run in Amity Creek and Lester River, can't wait to teach my kids how to fly fish ... and since we're stuck inside a couple more months ... how to paint. :)

Autumn At The Lake Triptych

"Autumn At The Lake Triptych" 30"w x 20"h

This piece will be available through the Duluth Art Institute's Artistic Duluth fine art auction  November 3, 2012 at the historic Kitchi Gammi Club in Duluth.

This painting incorporates trees in the forms that I've been viewing them in with all their seasonal color. With the trees decked out in reds, yellows and oranges, their foliage form is very interesting ... something you don't pick up when they're all in their summer greens. Soon snow will cover the ground and the trees will be barren but 'til then I'll enjoy their festive color.