Stars

'Stars'

Today's painting is titled Stars, and is a new 8x10" acrylic on canvas recently delivered to Siiviis Gallery in Duluth. This piece is a playful take on a moonlit lake. Stars are scattered across the sky and the full moon shines bright and reflects on the lake, illuminating the rocks and birches in the foreground. I'm off to the races ... enjoy your day ... and night.

I'm available for custom work. Please email me if you'd like to order a special painting or print.
www.aaronkloss.com

Christmas Sky and book signing at Zeitgeist

"Christmas Sky"  Acrylic on 20"w x 16"h canvas

This is a painting titled Christmas Sky which is 20"w x 16"h, acrylic on canvas. This piece is featured in the book I collaborated with author Chuck Haavik to create and this evening I'm pleased to announce that I will be signing books at the Zeitgeist Arts center in downtown Duluth. Joining me is the author of the book I illustrated titled Christmas Here in Northern Lands. We will be signing books from 7 - 9:00 p.m., please stop by and say hi if you're in the area. There will be live music, treats, and the original paintings from the book will be displayed. Be there or be square! ;)
The book may be purchased online at the following link: http://www.chuckhaavikauthor.com/

Colors of the Wind

"Colors of the Wind"  15"w x 30"h

Colors of the Wind is the title of this new 15"w x 30"h acrylic on canvas, part of some new work brought in to Lizzards Gallery in Duluth today. I love the calm color in this piece, the large areas of rich deep blues really pop the fall colors off the canvas. And then there's that irresistible moon glowing in the center, radiating across the sky while the distant stars sparkle. It's a place I'd like to call home, a quiet place full of color and light. Please contact Lizzards Gallery for more information.

Lakewalk Night Lights

"Lakewalk Night Lights" 20"w x 16"h, Siiviis Gallery

Today's painting, titled Lakewalk Night Lights, is a view of lake Superior by night at the spot on Duluth's lakewalk where the boardwalk meets the concrete path that takes you out to the lighthouse featured in the lower right of the painting. The lighthouse is lighting up the night sky with golden sparkles, but the moon is not to be outdone by shining brightly and reflecting off the waters. Stars twinkle in the sky, and the lights on the lighthouse walk are shining on the distant path. Just one of those warm summer nights that you wish could last just a bit longer. Please contact Siiviis Gallery in Duluth, MN, which is located just a block this lakewalk location, for more information on this piece. 

Moonlight Brilliance

"Moonlight Brilliance"  12"w x 24"h

I'm not much of an astronomer, but I do enjoy an evening sky. When the moon is full in the northwoods, it glows through the trees, casting shadows of trees, and truly is a joy to behold. There is also something particularly interesting about a full moon during the fall, it seems to glow brighter, and around this time every year I feel compelled to paint the moon, especially with deep blues such as are used in this 12"w x 24"h piece titled Moonlight Brilliance. The crisp white birches radiate the brightness of the moon, while the cool blues of the ridges and sky add the contrast that gives a night painting it's punch. There are also stars twinkling in the sky, lighting up the night. Please contact Your Art's Desire Gallery for additional information on this piece.

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.

Twilight Gathering

I painted male cardinals almost exclusively for at least a year before I added in a female cardinal. It had more to do with the striking red color of the male cardinal, but when I add in the the more muted colored female cardinal, there seems to be even more color, and more interest in the composition. In this 12"w x 9"h piece, titled Twilight Gathering, the dark starry sky behind the cardinals in the birches cause the birds to really pop off the canvas. It catches your eye and draws your interest, just like that woodpecker did this morning as I was walking my dog through the deep snowy deer trails this morning. The forest was filled with birches, white pine, cedar and large blue outcroppings. Everything was quiet, the sky was overcast, and it was just peaceful and beautiful. And then there was that woodpecker, banging away as if he wanted to make sure everyone was awake. And after all his racket, everyone was. :)

This painting is part of a small collection of paintings and framed prints collectively called "Lights" that can be viewed at Bixby's Cafe in Duluth at 1608 Woodland Ave now through the end of April, 2014. The works from the show can also be viewed online on my personal website here.

Night Lady

"Night Lady" 4"w x 4"h, Sivertson Gallery, Grand Marais, MN

...just another lady cardinal perched on a birch and out enjoying the stars. This piece, titled Night Lady, is part of a series of female cardinals. Please contact Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais, MN for more information on this painting.

Cardinal Star

"Cardinal Star" 4"w x 4"h

The cardinal beak and head shape with it's distinctive sharp point make for quite a directional element. With it, you can point interest in a composition in regards to where the cardinal happens to be looking ... or talking to. In this piece titled Cardinal Star, the cardinal is looking up, gazing at the stars, perhaps wondering as I often do how many stars are out there and how far away they are. The vastness of space ... in a tiny 4"w x 4"h painting.  Please contact Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais, MN for more information on this painting.

Luscious Autumn Lake

"Luscious Autumn Lake" 10"x 10"

"Blue Night"x 4" x 4"

Today as I'm wrapping up a new series of paintings that feature the sun, moon and stars ... I thought I'd share a couple recent pieces that have similar subject matters, compositions and colors. There's an element of simplicity that runs through my work like an undercurrent in a stream. When I look back at my work, I can see where I'm fascinated by a sky or other element and work hard to get it just right ... to get that depth of color that comes from countless brush strokes of intensifying pigment and color value. In the case of today's painting, I was fascinated by the sky and found satisfaction in the outcome, even though the subject of the piece is the moon reflecting on the lake, along with the rows of brightly colored autumn ridges. It's just a reflection of mine on my work, what attracts my eye and makes me smile to many may be unnoticed, and that's ok as long as they connect with the piece visually. I find worth and accomplishment in the simple things ... and hope to continue that through my work until it achieves the purpose of art ... to convey the message in a way that is clear and singular in purpose, thought, and execution ... and in a way that is completely unique to the artist and comes from within. Simple, right? :)

Simply contact Siiviis Gallery in Duluth, MN for more information on these pieces.

Cobalt Night

"Cobalt Night" 10"w x 10"h

"Blue Night", 4"w x 4"h

Last week I dropped off a large selection of smaller canvases at Siiviis Gallery in Duluth and Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais, MN. This group of work is very colorful and vibrant. Several new compositions including these two pieces featured here today. These are rich in cobalt blue and have that mysterious night color and lighting to them. The skies are filled with tiny stars and the moon sparkles off the lake. Please stop back soon as I'll be featuring new work this week ... including a new bird. :)

Please contact Siiviis Gallery in Duluth, MN for more information on these paintings.

Hello Mr. Moon

"Hello Mr. Moon" 

I couldn't help but think of this painting last evening as the coldest weather rolled into Duluth yet this season dropping the temp into the single digits. There's something fascinating and inspiring about the evening sky ... and when it's reflected in water it becomes even more mysterious and captivating. Crimson reds of a distant maple forest across the lake reflect into the ultramarine blues of the water while stars twinkle in the sky. Hello Mr. Moon.

Star Sprinkled Sky

"Star Sprinkled Sky" 12"w x 12"h

This piece is a continuation of the series I've been working on that features trees in the shapes they have when viewed from a distance. The nighttime sky is also a recent endeavor of mine to capture, one that is challenging and rewarding at the same time. There is a deep saturation of color with this series, especially the works like this one. If you like color, you'll love this series.

Please contact Blue Lake Gallery in Duluth, MN for more information about this piece.

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