Little Rascals & Go Green

"Little Rascals Triptych" 12"w x 4"h

"Go Green" 4"w x 4"h

Here's a few cardinal paintings on a beautiful sunny Saturday morning. This weekend's forecast looks to be 70 degrees with full sun both days. These little rascals were sent up to Grand Marais last week and the cardinal series continues to be collected and enjoyed by many ... Who doesn't just love bright red birds?

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

Autumn's Golden Moon Triptych

"Autumn's Golden Moon triptych", Acrylic on 18"w x 12"h canvas

I'm lovin' painting these triptychs! They are more time consuming than a traditional canvas, but I feel they are well worth the effort, and I also feel they cause the viewer to spend more time taking in the image. As a young aspiring artist, I wanted to create work that was different than everybody else, work that people didn't just glance at in passing, but would pause and reflect on the work. In some ways I feel as though I've accomplished this, in other ways I'm still chasing after the perfect painting that will most likely elude me my entire life as we are all human and imperfect. You can reflect and be thankful for all the blessings in your life, or you can reflect on everything you've messed up, every misstep and stumble bumble and fall. I don't know about you but my glass is half full ... life is short ... embrace the chase!

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

Jewel Tones

Jewel Tones, 12"w x 12"h 

This piece is currently available at Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais, MN.

Autumn Rays & 3 Ridges

"Autumn Rays" Acrylic on 12"w x 12"h canvas

"3 Ridges" 4"w x 4"h

Two more paintings currently available at Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais, MN. I'm on an autumn roll ... lovin' this time of year ... it's difficult to concentrate while driving around Duluth as the hillside is all lit up in reds, oranges, yellows and greens. My 5th grader took a whole bunch of colorful fall photos during her field trip to the Spirit Mountain area today, it was so sweet that she was thinking of finding photo references for me to paint. 

Autumn Moon and Red & Gold Rocks

"Autumn Moon" 12"w x 12"h

"Red & Gold Rocks" 4"w x 4"h

Today's post features two new works currently available at Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais, MN. This new body of work really 'zings'. I don't know if that's the right word or not, but it this work has a real punchy feel to it ... almost like 'I dare you to look at me' lol. With this colorful feel comes with the deep blues that I'm drawn to which can be seen in the sky and rocks. Speaking of the blues, I'm loving a new shade of cobalt blue I recently purchased from Golden. The paint has a depth to the color that I've been very excited to see on the canvas, along with a saturation of the cobalt hue which I could go on and on about ... I suppose I should just say I love the blue. Please stop back soon this week as I'll be posting a few more images from this collection. God bless. -A

New cardinal paintings at Tree to Tree

"Green Ridge Cardinal", 8"wx10"h

"Blue Sky Cardinal, 8"wx8"h

 After the dust settled from setting up my September show at Beaner's I had that all too familiar post-show burnout. The point where you stare at a canvas and wonder if you'll ever want to pick up a brush ever again. I think the best thing someone with 'writer's block' or 'artist's block' can do is take some time to work on what you're passionate about. All too often putting the pedal to the metal or our noses to the grindstone can put out the flame of creativity and we turn into happy little worker bees. I put so much effort into my show that I just didn't want to paint for a while and ended up working on my kitchen remodeling project for a week.

"Autumn Cardinal" 10"wx8"h

I eventually returned to paint some familiar themes .. cardinals and birch trees. The result are a series of works that I'll be posting during the next several days that are rich in color and playfulness. I approached these works with no pre-conceived plan or objective. I just wanted to paint my red cardinal friends in the landscape and have some fun .. and I'm happy I did. Vibrant reds, blues, greens, and some fall color have worked their way onto the canvas once again. These little rascals are available at Tree to Tree in Two Harbors, MN.

Red Maple Triptych

"Red Maple Triptych" 18"w x 12"h

Today's painting features a convergence of ideas that I've been pondering some time. I've been sketching out compositions that incorporate maples and birches but haven't painted many of them. This painting is one of those ideas. I love the red, gold, and yellow combinations. The lake is visible in the background of this piece, but it really isn't the focal point, yet it offers a deep complementary blue background. the shadows are deep in this piece, I'm happy I took on the challenge of combining many elements that I love into one piece ... almost like a 'greatest hits' painting. :)

This painting is part of my Awesome Autumn show at Beaner's Central Coffeehouse which runs throughout the month of September 2012.

Harvest Moon

"Harvest Moon" Acrylic on 18"w x 18"h canvas

There is usually one painting that stands out in a show ... a painting that says 'here .. look at me!' and this is the one. The moon is centered in the composition and to be honest I didn't like this painting as I was working on it. But as it drew near to completion, the softness of the elements in this landscape gave me that warm fuzzy feeling inside and I was glad I pushed through and finished it. When there is a full moon, it grabs your attention, and this piece does just that.

This painting is part of my Awesome Autumn show at Beaner's Central Coffeehouse which runs throughout the month of September 2012.

Into The Distance

"Into The Distance" Triptych, Acrylic on 30"w x 30"h canvas

This piece is one of two major works completed for my Awesome Autumn show at Beaner's. With this painting I felt I had accomplished something with the light as it dances across the leaves in the foreground. I spent quite a bit of time viewing this piece as I fell I'm inching closer to a goal. I can't explain the goal at the moment, it's more of a feeling or emotion ... The light in this piece dances across the leaves, the rocks, and the golden leaves of the birch trees, and I love the deep red ridge and rich cobalt blue skies that calm as you gaze into the distance.

Autumn Escapade

"Autumn Escapade", 18"wx12"h

Today's painting features more layers. As I've been reflecting on the work in this show, the theme of layers seems to run through all the works. Birch trees in the foreground, followed by blue stones, birches, a red hedge and distant evergreen ridge ... all complemented by the cobalt blue sky. I'm quite fond of this work, to be honest, this show was difficult to finish during a busy time in my life. But as the dust has settled, I find that the works have such a nice depth of color, and the compositions are very interesting. I find something new every time I view the paintings from this show. Hope you can stop by Beaner's some time in September ... and don't forget to sign my guest book! 
Cheers,
-A

This painting is part of my Awesome Autumn show at Beaner's Central Coffeehouse which runs throughout the month of September 2012.

Everbirch Diptych

"Everbirch Diptych", 12"wx18"h

Sometimes paintings speak volumes when they are simplified. While this one features gold leafed birches, I love the evergreens in the background. I think I'll keep this post simple today, too. :)

This painting is part of my Awesome Autumn show at Beaner's Central Coffeehouse which runs throughout the month of September 2012.

Rays of Autumn Triptych

"Rays of Autumn" Acrylic on canvas, 18"wx18"h

This painting captures my heart. The distant cranberry ridge and deep emerald green background complement each other and draw you in. The birch trees with their golden leaves are anchored by the gold ridge in the middle of the piece and the golden foreground shadows. I just love the hill theme with the rocks and trees ... I feel as though I could paint this composition for the rest of my life and never tire of it. The blue stones feature dappled lighting, something you find in nature, yet find difficult to capture on canvas. 

This painting is part of my Awesome Autumn show at Beaner's Central Coffeehouse which runs throughout the month of September 2012. 

Layers of Autumn

"Layers of Autumn", Acrylic on 20"wx16"h canvas

This painting, titled Layers of Autumn, is from my Awesome Autumn show at Beaner's Central Coffeehouse which runs throughout the month of September 2012. This painting is so rich in color, it just has to be viewed in person. One aspect that every work has from this show is color saturation. Just like Autumn colors, I wanted these paintings to be blazing with color. I incorporated many areas of blue sky and water to complement the works from the show which I'll be posting here on this blog in the next couple weeks. Today's painting endeavors to capture the colorful ridges you find in northern Minnesota in the fall ... yellow, orange and red maples, birches, poplars, oaks, etc... complemented by the rich greens of the evergreens. What a feast for the eyes.... Autumn is Awesome.

Awesome Autumn Reception Tonight!

If you're in the Duluth area please stop by Beaner's Central Coffeehouse from 6:00-9:00 p.m. to view my new work titled 'Awesome Autumn'. I have a nice selection of work in various sizes and they are all autumn themed landscapes. There is a nice cohesiveness to the work in color and feel, and the warm colored walls of the gallery space at Beaner's make for a nice display. There will be cupcakes, truffles, live jazz and singer/songwriter Greg Tiburzi ... plus Beaner's has a great selection of coffee and treats. I'll be there and I hope to see you there!

Orange Maple Ridge

This painting is a nice beginning to the autumn season. I know we still have a couple weeks of summer, but in order to have work ready for the changing of the leaves, I need to begin painting with warm colors now. I was just talking with my wife the other day about when we went hiking along a ridge in Duluth last fall. I took many photos, and the steep ridges along with the colorful trees are etched into my memory and find their way onto many canvases. Bring on the autumn season ... I won't miss the heat and humidity but I will miss the sunshine and color of summer ... not to mention the longer days. I'm in the final stretch of painting before I hang my show at Beaner's in Duluth. :)