Northern Lights Triptych

"Northern Lights Triptych"  12"w x 4"h

Featured today is a fun little piece titled Northern Lights Triptych. While the subject matter is the night sky filled with the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, there is a playful abstract feel to this painting. From the the three panel format, to the bright green squares dancing across the sky, this painting was a joy to paint. Night paintings are always a joy because there is a mystery to them, and a natural contrast of light and dark ... not to mention endless shades of my favorite color which of course is blue. The northern lights have been brilliant this year, hopefully as we get closer to autumn I can catch some dancing across the night sky. For now,  I'm content to paint the mystery of the aurora borealis in the northern Minnesota night skies. 

Please contact Siiviis Gallery in Duluth, MN for more information on this piece.

Aurora On The Lake

"Aurora On The Lake"  20"w x 16"h, Sivertson Gallery

Today's painting, titled Aurora On The Lake, is 20"w x 16"h, acrylic on canvas, and available at Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais, MN. Wow, there was a lot of commas in that last sentence. Anyways, this painting is a playful take on the aurora borealis, otherwise known as the northern lights that are frequently visible here in northern Minnesota. In this piece, the distant rocky shoreline breaks the plane of the sky and water, causing a mirror image of bright green against a ultramarine night sky which is framed by the birches and rocks in the foreground. Who knew the night could be so colorful and full of life? What an amazing subject to paint, the aurora. Please contact Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais for more information on this piece.

Descending Lights

"Descending Lights"

With this painting, I wanted to capture the northern lights descending as opposed to ascending as they frequently appear in the landscape. It's good to challenge yourself as you work ... and this one was a challenge ... a rewarding challenge.

Please contact Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais, MN for more information aboutthis painting.

Aurora Rising

"Aurora Rising" 9"w x 12"h

Another northern lights painting, this one pushes the light dark relationship even more towards the light. Night paintings are not easy. I know most people will only see the finished product and not all the pondering behind the color values and composition, and maybe that's a good thing. :) Frequently, when people stop by I say 'you can't see it .. it's not done yet!' But much of life is about the journey, so it's good to hear some feedback on works in progress. Today's painting is finished, but I'm not done yet, I have lots of landscapes to explore ... and capture on canvas.

Please contact Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais, MN for more information about this painting.

Lights Across The Lake

"Lights Across The Lake" 10"w x 8"h

This is the first of a three-part series of works featuring northern lights. All I can say is that when I paint these lights in the sky, I almost feel as if they're too sacred to be painted ... perhaps something that should be viewed in person. When I've observed the northern lights in person, they've always been a greenish white color, and they move across the sky in almost a serpentine fashion. It's the most amazing thing, the lights along with the stars and the silhouettes of pines, birches, and maples. It's a sight you will never forget.

Please contact Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais, MN for more information about this painting.

Saturday morning landscapes

I thought I'd take a break from the easel and post some landscapes that were completed and sent out this week. These feature autumn colored trees as they appear from a distance. It's been a fun challenge working with these forms and how they interact together. It's 39 degrees and light rain here in Duluth today ... it's kind of a stay inside, wrap yourself in polar fleece and drink coffee kind of day. :)

Please contact Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marias, MN for more information about these paintings.

"Jewel Ridge" 6"w x 6"h

"Aurora" 6"w x 6"h

"Lake Jewels" 6"w x 6"h

"Tiny Jewels" 4"w x 4"h