Yours Truly

Acrylic on 8"w x 10"h canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.
$65.00 Please contact Blue Lake Gallery in Duluth to purchase.

This painting was part of my Tremendous Trees show at Blue Lake Gallery.

This is the last post for the work I created for my Tremendous Trees show. I could paint these birch tree compositions all day. I just love the blues, grays and golds. I had a little fun with this title too, knowing it was the last painting I created for the show so it's only right that it's the last blog post from the show as well.

Yours truly,
Aaron Kloss

Birches in Blue Diptych

Acrylic on two 12"w x 16"h canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.
$300.00 Please contact Blue Lake Gallery in Duluth to purchase.

This painting was part of my Tremendous Trees show at Blue Lake Gallery.

A peaceful birch two canvas composition in a favorite theme of mine. I have many reasons why I return to this theme, and I know I've talked about it in previous posts .. it's the feeling of safety and solitude this composition gives me. The rocks are a natural protective barrier, the birches are a fence, and the chocolate colored foreground a warm invited place to rest. The multiple shades of blue in the background calm the soul in the midst of a storm.

I have three more works to share from my Tremendous Trees show ... then I'm excited to start sharing my recent work from my Urban Oasis show which is at Jitters Coffee in Downtown Duluth during the month of June, 2012.

Red, White & Blue

Acrylic on 12"w x 16"h canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.
$165.00 Please contact Blue Lake Gallery in Duluth to purchase.

This painting was part of my Tremendous Trees show at Blue Lake Gallery.

Just so ya know, the title of this piece reflects the colors and doesn't aim to make a statement about the U.S.A. Now that I have that off my chest, I can say I love the bold complementary colors in the background. The birches are expressive, and the reds and blues include many shades that move throughout the piece. Interesting how some birches are more expressive while others are more realistic, I suppose it's just how I'm feeling that day. I feel pretty good today. :)

Peaceful Birch Forest

Acrylic on 12"w x 16"h canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.
$165.00 Please contact Blue Lake Gallery in Duluth to purchase.

This painting was part of my Tremendous Trees show at Blue Lake Gallery.

The title of the painting says it all. :)

Serene Birch Forest

Acrylic on 12"w x 16"h canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.
$165.00 Please contact Blue Lake Gallery in Duluth to purchase.

This painting was part of my Tremendous Trees show at Blue Lake Gallery.

I've noticed myself returning to this theme quite a bit in the last several months. I've painted a couple diptychs in this theme as well as several vertical compositions. I don't feel so much as though I'm trying to get this theme just right ... I feel as though I'm enjoying the effect this composition has on me. The deep blues of the skies and stones quiet my soul and give my eyes rest. The birch trees and bluestones provide a natural break between the foreground and background, and the trees and stones also give a feeling of safety and protection. It could be something from my childhood triggering this need for a safe place to rest, or when life gets kinda crazy, it's nice to know you have a place to go ... ya know.

Tiny Autumn Triptych

Acrylic on Three 4"w x 4"h canvases
Click on image above to enlarge.
SOLD

This painting was part of my Tremendous Trees show at Blue Lake Gallery.

Just a cool blue sky composition with colorful candy colored leaves cascading carelessly off into the distance.  :)

Seven Maples

Acrylic on 20"w x 16"h canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.
$250.00 Please contact Blue Lake Gallery in Duluth to purchase.

This painting was part of my Tremendous Trees show at Blue Lake Gallery.

If you've been reading my thoughts on this blog in the recent past, you know a recurring theme I'm working on is what can be seen through the trees ... essentially focusing on the background. Or as us painters prefer to call it, the negative space of a painting. It's the part of the painting that often gets passed over to get to the subject of the painting. In this case, this painting is titled Seven Maples after the seven colorful maple trees that are ... you guessed it ... in the background. The foreground features seven birch trees. Now you see them, right? If you're like me, you viewed the colorful foliage of the maples against the bright blue sky, followed by the rich burnt sienna tree trunks and ground accented by golds. Then you noticed the foreground. Cool, huh? :) I've painted several canvases in this theme recently ... I know I'm on to something, and I'm happy with what I've accomplished so far, but I know there is something I'm searching for, a look or feel that I'd just love to see emerge on the canvas ... It'll happen, I just need to keep painting. :)

Maple Forest Shadows

 Acrylic on 20"w x 16"h canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.
$250.00 Please contact Blue Lake Gallery in Duluth to purchase.

This painting was part of my Tremendous Trees show at Blue Lake Gallery.

Blue Lake Gallery has graciously extended the time of my Tremendous Trees show at their gallery for a couple weeks. It's been so fun to see all these works together in such a unique space. I just realized that I didn't have a whole lot of good photos of the show, I'll have to get some and post them here soon.

This painting was completed in a flurry of activity just before the show was hung. I never had a chance to view this piece and take it in. Looking back through my work, I can see that this painting stands apart from the rest. It has a presence all it's own. The long shadows cast by the barren maples has a calming effect on me. The bright sun in the distance, along with the emphasis on the foreground no doubt were influenced by the Van Gogh books I was studying at the time. I just love Van Gogh's work and his letters ... His successes ... and his failures are preserved for all to see for all time. Some of my paintings are success, some are failures. Most will never know the difference unless I tell them, but I'm my biggest critic, and often wrestle with my paintings, chasing after a look and feel that so often eludes my grasp. Perhaps this painting reflects that struggle. I've come so far, yet have so far to go. There is no visible path in this piece, beckoning the viewer to stay and explore for a while. Which direction to go? It's so easy when there's a path to follow. But I must admit, my greatest adventures traveling the woods happens when there is no trail to follow. The thrill of the exploration spurs me on ... And the joy is found in knowing who's waiting at the end.

Golden Skies

Acrylic on 6"w x 12"h canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.
$60.00 Please contact Blue Lake Gallery in Duluth to purchase.

This painting was part of my Tremendous Trees show at Blue Lake Gallery.

This birch forest features perhaps the brightest yellow sky I have ever painted. I love the golden leaves and textured forest floor. The three areas of yellow and gold form a nice repetition of color. The bluestone rocks in the foreground anchor the composition and the with all the golds goin' on, the blues look cool in the sky and stones. I also enjoy the vertical scale of this piece, I'm sure I'll work in this theme and scale again soon. Golden skies can't help but make you smile. :)

Blue Sky Birches

 Acrylic on 12"w x 6"h canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.
$60.00 Please contact Blue Lake Gallery in Duluth to purchase.

This painting was part of my Tremendous Trees show at Blue Lake Gallery.

A simply stated landscape deserves a simply stated blog post. I love birch trees. I love deep twilight blue skies. Enough said.

Good As Gold

Acrylic on 16"w x 20"h canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.
$250.00 Please contact Blue Lake Gallery in Duluth to purchase.

This painting was part of my Tremendous Trees show at Blue Lake Gallery.

Yesterday it was seven birch trees, today it's seven maple trees. Imagine the maple syrup you could make from these! OK, I must be getting hungry. :) Today it's 73 and sunny in the Banana Republic of Duluth, MN. When the weather gets like this, it's virtually impossible to do anything inside. I've been outside three times already, and I just can't seem to bring myself to paint today. Today I'm working on some urban themed artwork for my next show which you'll be reading about here in a couple weeks. So exciting, and challenging at the same time!

This painting featured today titled Good As Gold wasn't challenging ... it was very calming and peaceful to paint. Who doesn't just love a golden sunset in a maple forest? I mean, come on now, don't you wish sunsets would last forever? I had fun playing with the golds in this one, they dance across the sky, the maple leaf covered ground, and the trees themselves are basking in the glow of the sun. So am I today, Thank God for warm sunny days.

Cool Blues

Acrylic on 16"w x 20"h canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.
$250.00 Please contact Blue Lake Gallery in Duluth to purchase.

This painting was part of my Tremendous Trees show at Blue Lake Gallery.

Seven birches in a twilight lit forest displaying their golden foliage for all to see. The ground's deep yellow hues reflect the leaves, and the landscape has a curvature that has been finding its way into my work in the last several months. With this work, I intentionally painted the birch trees thin in form so that the background would be more visible. With the large sky in the background I ended up keeping it a cool blue hue. I'm trying to come up with another word that rhymes with blue but I'm not coming up with anything, so I'll head back to the easel for now. I think I'll paint something new. :)

Vertical Gold

Acrylic on 8"w x 10"h canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.
$65.00 Please contact Blue Lake Gallery in Duluth to purchase.

This 8x10" painting for my Tremendous Trees show at Blue Lake Gallery was created at the same time as the paintings in my last previous couple of posts and as the show has been hung and viewed the last week, I've enjoyed reflecting on my work for this show. So much time and creative energy goes into the work that I find myself enjoying the work and noticing things for the first time. Such is the case with this piece titled Vertical Gold. The depth of blues in the background gives me the feeling that I can see off into the distance. The bright gold sunset captures my imagination and the birches in the foreground are the icing on the cake.

Glowing Forest

Acrylic on 12"w x 16"h canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.
$165.00 Please contact Blue Lake Gallery in Duluth to purchase.

This painting for my Tremendous Trees show at Blue Lake Gallery was painted at the same time as yesterday's post titled Maple Glow and I wanted to feature them together. Both works have that look and feel of a painting that was created from the heart vs. a painting that was well planned. Many times I paint from images in my memory of places I've been. They are always memories that have stayed with me due to the color and overall feel of the place I'm thinking of. Today's post is titled Glowing Forest but it could also have been titled From the Heart.

Maple Glow

Acrylic on 8"w x 10"h canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.
$65.00 Please contact Blue Lake Gallery in Duluth to purchase.

Another painting for my Tremendous Trees show at Blue Lake Gallery in a theme running through many of my works for the show. The theme features golden sunset skies and shadows in the foreground. Each work has a different degree of contrast, mostly due to the shade of the blue sky in the background. This work has a nice deep blue which to me represents the last light of the day, right before the sunset fades to twilight. The maple leaves are a rich golden yellow and they sparkle and reflect the leaves on the ground as well. I may live in an urban area but my heart is in the maple forest where all is quiet and peaceful and beautiful.

Blue Ridge Birches

Acrylic on 10"w x 8"h canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.
$65.00 Please contact Blue Lake Gallery in Duluth to purchase.

This triptych for my Tremendous Trees show at Blue Lake Gallery is one of many that uses deep blue pine ridges. This blue ridge element is yet another theme running through my work for this show like a common thread. The distant bright sunset complements the deep blue and the five foreground birches cast their shadows across the golden leaves covering the ground like a nice warm Autumn blanket.
'Nuff said. :)

Tiny Sunset Triptych

 Acrylic on Three 4"w x 4"h canvases
Click on image above to enlarge.
SOLD

This triptych for my Tremendous Trees show at Blue Lake Gallery used repetition as a design element. This painting has an unexpected element as well. Many times in painting, you have a plan and you try to execute that plan to the best of your abilities, but then something happens. The paint takes on a look and feel that surprises you and you find yourself 'wowed' by the result. With this piece, the yellows rising in the background have a transparency to them that wasn't planned. The yellows fade into golds that I would love to be able to replicate. The background sparkles and glitters, much like a sunset in the birch forests of northern Minnesota. :)

Midnight Sun

Acrylic on 16"w x 20"h canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.
SOLD

This painting for my Tremendous Trees show at Blue Lake Gallery features the moon as a central object to the composition. The distant deep blue pines and sky complement the bright yellows of the moon as it casts shadows on the foreground. The neat thing about this painting was watching people react to it the weekend that my show began. People were drawn into this painting, the moon just beckoned people to come closer. This piece has a calming effect and an energetic burst of energy all at the same time. I was a little more edgier with the brush strokes, intentionally wanted more of the black underpainting to be visible to add to the depth of color especially in the trees and sky. The original vision featured three birches but when this one was finished I realized the background was the subject matter and the foreground birch trees are just innocent bystanders, their bright bark shining in the late Autumn moonlight in the land of the midnight sun.

Watching & Waiting

 Acrylic on 6"w x 12"h canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.
SOLD

This painting for my Tremendous Trees show at Blue Lake Gallery is one last study that I painted before completing my large triptych titled 'Cardinals in Coversation'. With this piece I had the thought that I wanted to see how a bird would 'feel' if it were in the landscape by itself. Due to the size of the triptych I was going to paint, I knew that the birds would be spaced apart and that some would feel more isolated as opposed to two or three birds looking at each other. I also wanted the cardinals to have a human element to their positions in the landscape. When people get together, there are always little groups or circles and some individuals. That's just the way it is in life, some people thrive in group settings while others, like myself, thrive in solitude. Don't get me wrong, I love people, but I also love peace and quiet. That's not always easily accomplished with three grade school age kiddos at home lol! This cardinal was a favorite of mine, and it was to the person who purchased it. :)

Cardinals Carrying On

Acrylic on 3-6"w x 12"h canvases
Click on image above to enlarge.
$200.00 Please contact Blue Lake Gallery in Duluth to purchase.

This painting for my upcoming Tremendous Trees show at Blue Lake Gallery was a study that I painted before completing yesterday's post 'Cardinals in Coversation'. I wanted to get a feel for the blue pine ridges and the twilight blue sky in the background to see how well they complemented each other. I knew the cardinals were going to pop off the canvas due to their red feathers, but I also wanted just the right shade of blue and I was very happy with this triptych. Color is so key to any painting, so naturally painting something blue that's supposed to be green can be challenging. As I was painting the blue pine ridges in the background I was reminded of a Colorado Blue Spruce tree in the neighbor's yard where I grew up. As a child I would count how many times I could say 'Blue Spruce' before I minced the words and I couldn't quite get past 3 times.

How many times can you say 'Blue Spruce?'

Go ahead, try it. I'll wait. lol.

Perhaps the cardinal on the right panel is annoyed at his two friends who have been able to say 'Blue Spruce' more times than him. :)