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 ... ;)

New cardinal paintings at Tree to Tree

"Green Ridge Cardinal", 8"wx10"h

"Blue Sky Cardinal, 8"wx8"h

 After the dust settled from setting up my September show at Beaner's I had that all too familiar post-show burnout. The point where you stare at a canvas and wonder if you'll ever want to pick up a brush ever again. I think the best thing someone with 'writer's block' or 'artist's block' can do is take some time to work on what you're passionate about. All too often putting the pedal to the metal or our noses to the grindstone can put out the flame of creativity and we turn into happy little worker bees. I put so much effort into my show that I just didn't want to paint for a while and ended up working on my kitchen remodeling project for a week.

"Autumn Cardinal" 10"wx8"h

I eventually returned to paint some familiar themes .. cardinals and birch trees. The result are a series of works that I'll be posting during the next several days that are rich in color and playfulness. I approached these works with no pre-conceived plan or objective. I just wanted to paint my red cardinal friends in the landscape and have some fun .. and I'm happy I did. Vibrant reds, blues, greens, and some fall color have worked their way onto the canvas once again. These little rascals are available at Tree to Tree in Two Harbors, MN.