Bluestone Birches

Acrylic on 12"w x 12"h x 1.5"d canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.
SOLD
 

There's just something special about bluestone rock formations, birches, and deep blue skies. Maybe it's just the letter 'b' or it's the color and texture. I would opt for the latter, as I feel like exploring this theme with some larger compositions in the near future. :) Today was quite a productive day as I worked on a 24"x36" landscape and came close to finishing off a 24"x48" vertical landscape. While I anticipate wrapping both those works up tomorrow, I'm prepping a triptych of 10"x30" canvases which will feature cardinals on a rich green background ... and birch trees, of course. Now if I can just finish off my studio so I'm not spread all over my house with my artwork ... perhaps Friday will be the day I move into the new studio space ... can't wait. :)

Snow Falling in a Birch Forest

Acrylic on 48"w x 24"h x 1.5"d canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.
Please contact Lizzard's Gallery for purchase information.

I was so inspired by the first snowfall of the year that I just had to paint a picture of the snow. I chose a Birch forest on a cobalt blue background to feature the first flakes of frigid November. I had to laugh as I finished up this painting and the temperature hit 50 degrees, effectively melting whatever snow we had. But Winter is well on it's way, set to return soon, and even though I signed this work on a rainy day, I know that soon more snow will be falling in the Birch, Maple and Evergreen forests surrounding this beautiful little town I live in called Duluth.


I'm finishing up some highlights and shadows on a couple more paintings which will be posted in the next day or two .. please stop back soon. God bless. :)
-A

What's on my easel...

It seems as of late that I haven't been posting as much. Art can be a hobby, a career, a side job, a therapy ... for many people art is beneficial, bringing healing and a sense of peace and purpose to their lives. For me, the latter would be an accurate summary of why I feel the need to create. Art is interwoven with my DNA and I couldn't exist unless I was creating. You could say it's a passion of mine, but really it's just me. That's all. :)

I've been painting pretty much non-stop lately, and I've been working on a 2' x 4' vertical piece titled 'Three Trees' that has been for me a chance to create just for myself. Sometimes artists need to do that, and now that I've almost completed that painting, I'm feeling as though I'd like to share it with whoever reads my blog or stops by my website. So look forward to that painting being posted this week, along with a fun little 12"x12" birch landscape I've titled 'Mossy Rocks'. What's currently on my easel is another 2' x 4' Birch landscape, this one is titled 'Snow Falling in a Birch Forest'. I hate to admit it but this painting has really hit me and I've found myself pausing to let the adrenaline stop while I've been working on it. I feel as though it's the light hitting the edge of the Birches and the contrast with the deep blues and crisp whites. It's a painting that I can't wait to finish, yet I'm being cautious with it at the same time, wishing to finish it correctly, letting the painting present itself and not overwork it. Lots of exciting works coming soon, and with the studio remodel project taking shape ... it will be a short winter. :)

Please stop back soon! God bless,
Aaron

MNartists.org

I've recently joined MNArtists.org. While this site doesn't offer a comprehensive selection of my work, it does allow me to feature several works and offer more information about who I am and what I do. I hope this website will allow me to network with other Minnesota artists, collectors, and galleries. Please stop by my home page at MNartists.org for more information.  http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=301462

Photo reference for Aerial Lift Bridge Painting

I've been working on a 24"x36" (approx.) vertical canvas that I'm thinking will have the simple title 'Duluth'. I took this photo while standing on the shore by the Great Lakes Aquarium. I've been working hard on my last large scale work titled 'Solace Triptych' and also working on my new studio space, and I wanted to work on a simple composition and just relax and enjoy painting. Watch for this painting to be completed soon ... due to the complex nature of the bridge, this painting may take longer, but I want to get it right. I have a couple of other smaller works on my small easel that will be posted later in the week that show by their subject matter that snowflakes will soon be in the air and the Northland of Minnesota will once again be covered in a thick white blanket of snow. Time to find those wool socks....

Solace Triptych

Acrylic on three 12"w x 36"h x 2"d canvases
Click on image above to enlarge. 
Please contact Lizzard's Gallery for purchase information.

Solace has a few different meanings in the dictionary, but the best definition that relates to this triptych is 'cheerful place' or 'place of deep peace'. For long periods of time I've sat and viewed this painting and it has been very calming to me during a time of busyness. In this piece the last light of the day is visible in the upper left over the distant rock ridge and casts shadows across the foreground. I was very careful with this painting to keep the color darker and I spent countless hours adding texture with subtle highlights and shadows. Hope it brings you peace. :)

Cardinal No. 2

Acrylic on 4"w x 4"h x 1.5"d canvas
Click on image above to enlarge. Please contact Lizzard's Gallery for purchase information.

I'm lovin' the color punch the deep reds and blues are creating. The crisp white Birch helps make these 4"x4" paintings grab your eye. And the should ... cardinals are one of the most easiest birds to spot. I know if I was a cardinal, I'd sure have a tough time playing hide and seek with the other birds. :)

Cardinal No. 1

 Acrylic on 4"w x 4"h x 1.5"d canvas
Click on image above to enlarge. Please contact Lizzard's Gallery for purchase information.
 
I'm working on some cardinal paintings for a future larger scale painting. The nice thing about the 4" size is that it brings the complete composition into view as I work on it .. as opposed to working on a small section of larger painting. This small size is also fun to set on a miniature easel and display on a shelf. The large painting I'm currently working on has been named 'Solace' and it will be ready in the next day or two. I'm finishing the final highlights now, and the painting is a triptych of three 1'w x 3'h canvases.

The Lone Leaf

This photo combines many of the elements I've been enjoying on my recent hikes through the woods. You can see bluestone, water, leaves, color and texture. I just had to take this photo as I was jumping across the stream on various stepping stones. Last time I slipped and fell in, this time I was more careful. :) This little leaf is saying 'look at me!' He's a resilient little guy, keeping his color when all his friends have faded to brown.

Work has been continuing on the studio, and the latest canvases on my easel. My triptych forest painting is well underway, the burnt sienna undertones already in place. I can't wait to unveil this painting later this week, as well as several small robin paintings. For fun, I've decided to chronicle my studio remodeling adventures on another blog which you can find here.

God bless
-A

The last of the leaves

We went for a nice hike yesterday, revisiting some areas I'd taken some reference photos of before. I noticed I could get a better feel for the highlights and shadows with the leaves all on the ground. That aspect was helpful, but I found myself longing for the leaves to be back on the trees for just another week or two or three. The Autumn color is so intense and beautiful that it is difficult to see the leaves all over the ground. We took a few nice family photos, jumped across rocks to the other side of the stream, a feat that could never be done in the Springtime when this river is raging. But for now all is quiet and the leaves fill the stream which preserves their color for people to come by and enjoy before all is blanketed in snow.

For now I continue my large landscape triptych painting and just for fun a few red robins on small canvases to be posted later in the week.
-A

Hello Russia!

One of the features of blogging I enjoy most is the stats feature. You can see how many people have stopped by, and it keeps track of what posts are the most viewed. If you were into marketing, this feature would be immensely valuable to adjusting products to consumer demand. But in my case, it's just fun to see how many people have stopped by the blog. While the stats information is generic, you can still see what countries people have visited from, and I've noticed today that somebody from Russia stopped by so I just thought I'd say hi to whoever visited. Hopefully you'll stop back soon and see my greeting. Feel free to leave a comment. :)

I suppose I should give some information regarding painting too :) My next piece is ready to go, it's a triptych of 1'x3' canvases and it will be a landscape inspired by the moment I was standing at the base of the mountain staring through the trees at the setting sun. I'm hoping to have it finished this weekend.

My studio should be closer to completion next week as well. I'm taking some in progress photos of the project to share in the next couple of days, please stop back soon and say hi ... even if you're not from Russia. :)

Lester Park Inspiration Photos

Hiking in Lester Park was filled with rugged trails with moss covered stones and lush vistas of Autumn golds and greens. The sunlight was filtering through the dense forest as we made our way along Amity Creek. The creek is was made famous by Samuel Snively who built a series of bridges in the early 1900's. When the seven bridges were complete they obtained the name Seven Bridges Road and the rest is history. Hiking along this creek past it's many rock formations, Birch and evergreen forests, and waterfalls ... I could imagine Mr. Snively having the same awe as I had. We have technology and modern conveniences like no other generation in history and yet I find joy in the simple pleasure of the forests. Perhaps that's why I live here in Duluth ... perhaps that's why I paint.

Rock Quarry

Acrylic on 6"w x 6"h x 2"d canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.
Please email me at aaronklossartwork@gmail.com for purchase information.

This painting makes me chuckle as I've been busy digging up my backyard, removing an old storm shed over a 12' x 24' tuckunder garage attached to my house. The garage had a asphalt driveway and block retaining walls on either side that were leaning precariously in. So after calling in some help from my folks, I've managed to make some progress digging and landscaping the entrance to my new studio space. I've unearthed at least 40 80 lb. concrete blocks and hauled them to the recycle center.

Duluth is full of rock quarries such as the one I painted ... it's just that no mere mortal man with a shovel and pickaxe could ever move them, and they shouldn't be moved, but left for all to enjoy.

Golden Glow

Acrylic on 4"w x 4"h x 1.5"d canvas
SOLD

More backlit Maples, I was experimenting with making the sky look like it was yellow leaves off in the distance. 
I've been busy working on my 'new' studio, pics coming soon. :)

 Acrylic on 4"w x 4"h x 1.5"d canvas
Click on image above to enlarge. Please contact Lizzard's Gallery for purchase information.
 
This theme has featured large rock outcroppings which are scattered all over the landscape here in Duluth. I found myself focusing on the rocks, working to give them a rich textural quality while keeping their edges soft. I want the rock formations to complement the soft leafy shadows in the foreground, not contrast them. While the small size of the canvas is a challenge, the composition is simple. I'll work on these rocks a few more days before adding in more elements ... almost like a chef adding ingredients to a delicious dinner ... bon appétit!

Golden Shadows

 Acrylic on 8"w x 10"h Canvas Panel
Click on image above to enlarge.
Please email me at aaronklossartwork@gmail.com for purchase information.

At first I was going to feature the gold toward the horizon but decided to go big and cover the sky with gold. Sunsets can be captivating with their range of color in varying degrees of intensity. I often wonder if things were reversed and the sky was sunset colored all day and turned sky blue at sunset if we would be so captivated by the blue because it's different. We'll never know the answer to that thought but I find blue skies and sunset skies both captivating. :)