Forest Kaleidoscope

"Forest Kaleidoscope"  40"w x 16"h

Just like a hike through a familiar wood, this piece, titled Forest Kaleidoscope, is a familiar walk through a favorite subject matter. Crisp golden maples against a rich cobalt blue sky, framed by foreground birch trees and ancient gray stones. Watching my kids skip across large stones as we explore the woods is a treat, reminding me of trips I took through familiar forests as a kid. This painting is part of show titled 'Birch Forests' at Vanilla Bean Restaurant in Two Harbors MN, now through the end of July 2015.

Last Leaves of Autumn

"Last Leaves of Autumn"  20"w x 16h

While I'm enjoying the heat and humidity of the summer season, I'm also thinking ahead to my favorite season ... autumn. During the fall, the colorful leaves fill the landscape with warmth and color, but one particular event is a powerful memory over the years. That memory is laying on the grass while the leaves drop off the trees in a gentle wind. One morning I was drinking my coffee on the deck and the leaves were dropping off the maple tree and it was an event I had to be there at that time to experience. Painting from memory can sometimes be more powerful than painting en plein aire, and today's piece titled Last Leaves of Autumn is a friendly reminder of that. Don't forget to visit the Vanilla Bean restaurant in Two Harbors during July to view this piece and my show titled Birch Forests. 

Summer Morning & Birch Forests Show at The Vanilla Bean

"Summer Morning"  20"w x 10"h

Getting back in the swing of things is tough after being on vacation especially considering the flurry of activity prior to vacation. New work was delivered to galleries, new shows were hung, and commissions completed. The studio is a mess, there are half a dozen canvases being prepped for new paintings and I'm sitting at the computer sifting through emails and images of paintings created during the last couple weeks of June and early July.

This painting featured today, titled Summer Morning, is 20"w x 10"h and is part of a show titled Birch Forests at The Vanilla Bean Restaurant in Two Harbors, MN. The show is titled appropriately, as there are 21 originals and framed prints available for purchase that feature the birch forests in all their seasonal splendor. Summer Morning is such a calm, peaceful painting, and considering the humid weather this piece really reflects the spirit of the season. Beautiful blue skies and green leaves greet you in the forest, along with the songbirds and the wish that this season could go on forever. Please stop back soon as I'll be posting new works daily ... and enjoying the summer mornings too.

Whispering & Serene Summer Cardinals

Whispering Cardinals, Acrylic on 10"w x 8"h canvas

Serene Summer Cardinal, 10"w x 10"h

Two cool cardinal compositions from my Intimate Landscapes show at The Vanilla Bean. Whispering Cardinals is one of my favorite cardinal paintings as of late, I wonder what they are whispering about? If they are like me they are most likely wondering if summer is just about over. The Serene Summer Cardinal painting features evergreens and blue skies in the background which I had fun playing with the color value while I was painting. The birches also have a nice range of size, something I've been experimenting with. Basically, I want the birches to resemble the real thing, and in any given birch forest you'd find a wide range of tree sizes.

Shades of Green and three others

Summer Pines, Acrylic on 4"wx4"h canvas

Shades of Green, Acrylic on 4"wx4"h canvas

Summer Selection, Acrylic on 6"wx6"h canvas

Here's four new paintings from my Intimate Landscapes show at The Vanilla Bean. These four were painted together and so it's only fitting that they are posted together. So far, the show has been a huge success for me, ten paintings have sold and there is one weekend left. My intention with this show was to feature some new themes, which I did with paintings like these today, and to make work on a smaller scale that people could take with them as they travel up the shore. It's fun to know my work will be in new homes all over the state or farther depending on where people live. One thing's for sure, this show proved to me several things: People still purchase original art, they love landscapes, and there's something in my work that they identify with. I haven't had the chance to speak to many people about what they see in my art, hopefully down the road I'll have that chance as I continue painting. Feel free to post a comment on this blog, I'd love to know your thoughts. God bless, -A

Tiny Pines, Acrylic on 6"wx6"h canvas

Cool Lake Cardinal

Cool Lake Cardinal, Acrylic on 10"w x 10"h canvas

Part of my Intimate Landscapes show which can be viewed July 25-Aug 20, 2012 at The Vanilla Bean in Two Harbors, MN. 

This is one of many new cardinal paintings at my show. This one loves the lake .. just like me. :) I heard Lake Superior is 20 degrees above normal for this time of year which is not surprising due to the record heat we've had here in Duluth.

Cardinal Companions Triptych

Cardinal Companions Triptych, Acrylic on three 4"w x 4"h canvases

Part of my Intimate Landscapes show which can be viewed July 25-Aug 20, 2012 at The Vanilla Bean in Two Harbors, MN. 

I've grown fond of this cardinal theme in the last several months. I wonder what would happen if I only painted cardinals. My work would be easily identified, and if that's the purpose, that would be great. But then I enjoy new subject matters too. What I do know is my cardinals disappear off gallery walls at a rate that surprises me. I'm grateful for the sales but more importantly, I'm grateful that people enjoy the cardinals and desire to collect them.

Perhaps that in itself would be reason to paint them for the rest of my art career.

More me, the cardinals have meaning, and I'm not exactly sure yet what that is, but I do know I see them representing true friendship and fellowship. In our modern world we have grown connected and disconnected at the same time ... and viewing these cardinal companions in the landscape, gathering together as they always have without the aid of computers and technology gives me a warmth and nostalgic feeling.

Emerald Birches

Emerald Birches, Acrylic on Canvas, 6"w x 6"h SOLD

Part of my Intimate Landscapes show which can be viewed July 25-Aug 20, 2012 at The Vanilla Bean in Two Harbors, MN. 

This is one of several new works at the show that feature summer greens. Such a relaxing color scheme to work with. 79 and sunny here today, much like this birch forest. :)

Calm Cardinal

At right: Calm Cardinal, Acrylic on Canvas, 4"w x 4"h, $25

Part of my Intimate Landscapes show which can be viewed July 25-Aug 20, 2012 at The Vanilla Bean in Two Harbors, MN. 

Just a calm little cardinal. Perhaps today's post represents me at the moment. Last week I dropped off ten new works at Blue Lake Gallery in Duluth, then hung my show at The Vanilla Bean which features thirty works on canvas. Now I'm calm, finishing off a series of cardinals to compliment the work already hanging at Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais. Art is an interesting combination of hurry up and wait ... but that makes it interesting, challenging and rewarding. I'm sure it won't be long until I'm in the midst of a flurry of activity, but for now, I'm calm, resting, reflecting on the work I've finished recently and thinking ahead to future paintings.

Red Rocky Ridge

Red Rocky Ridge, Acrylic on Canvas, 12"w x 12"h, SOLD

Part of my Intimate Landscapes show which can be viewed July 25-Aug 20, 2012 at The Vanilla Bean in Two Harbors, MN. 

A return to the simple Autumn landscapes that I love so much. The blue stones, red maples, evergreens in the background, and golden birch trees all work together to pack a color punch. I loved this one so much I also painted an 8x10 and 10x10 canvas along the same theme that will be posted here too in the coming week or two.

Captive Audience

Captive Audience, Acrylic on Canvas, 18"w x 6"h, $100

Part of my Intimate Landscapes show which can be viewed July 25-Aug 20, 2012 at The Vanilla Bean in Two Harbors, MN. 

This painting is on a 3 to 1 horizontal scale which is a new size for me. I thought I would have some struggles with this scale, but this painting seemed almost too easy. Perhaps I was just having a good day painting, sometimes that happens, where you're in a natural rhythm and don't want to stop. This painting is one of the last to be painted for the show, and I imagine having a great time working in this scale down the road. The title, Captive Audience, refers to the two cardinals which apparently are very interested in what the cardinal on the right has to say. For me, I'm just enjoying the crisp white birch trees on the rich deep green background and the complimentary colored cardinals. Perhaps I'm one of the captive audience. :)

Emerald Birchland

Emerald Birchland, Acrylic on Canvas, 12"wx12"h, SOLD

Today's painting is the first of 25 new paintings from my Intimate Landscapes show July 25-Aug 20, 2012 at The Vanilla Bean in Two Harbors, MN. The show features many familiar landscapes that I've enjoyed painting over the last year such as bluestone birches, twilight maples, cardinals and more. The name of the show, Intimate Landscapes, comes from the small sizes of the paintings in this show. I've also incorporated many works that feature the color green. Today's post is an interesting take on the birch landscapes that I've grown so fond of. The evergreen ridge in the distance anchors this piece and the emerald green birch leaves in multiple layers of opacity complement the green foreground. I'm especially happy with the foreground, I love the shadows set off by the green on the burnt sienna colored forest floor. This is the first piece I started for this show, and ironically, it was the last one to be finished. Perhaps that's why I'm so happy with this painting, I put a lot of thought and effort into this one.

Intimate Landscapes

This afternoon I'll head up the Scenic Hwy. 61 from Duluth to Two Harbors to hang my show titled Intimate Landscapes at The Vanilla Bean Café. This show is unique in that it features a large selection of smaller work ... or intimately sized work. The idea is that people can view a nice selection of work in recent themes of mine and also take the work with them as it will be easy to transport and there is a wide range of prices.

While the work is smaller is scale, there is a lot going on. I have many new subjects and colors and there is a unique cohesiveness to all the work. It will be fun to hang the show ... I've worked hard on this show through some of the hottest July weather I can ever remember and I'm looking forward to viewing the work all hung together ... and then sitting in a nice comfy chair in the shade with a large glass of lemonade. :)

The show can be viewed July 25-August 20 at the Vanilla Bean Café in Two Harbors, MN.

Vanilla Bean Art Show

Many thanks to The Vanilla Bean for hosting my art show in their gallery space. Here's a few images, please stop by sometime between now and Nov. 2 2011 to view the show.