Moon Sparkle

"Moon Sparkle" 6"wx6"h

When winter was on the doorstep I was going through a 'painter's block' and couldn't figure out what to paint. I went for a few weeks just struggling to find some spark, some creative drive and felt like a listless sailboat on Lake Superior with no wind to get me going in a direction. I spoke with one of the owners of a gallery that represents my work and they gave me some ideas. Not what to paint specifically, but more general direction and some of the words were like 'snowscapes', 'moonlight' and 'night magic'. I took these to thoughtful consideration and a wide range of compositions have resulted, today's post titled Moon Sparkle just one of many. From a listless boat to a passionate painter ... can't wait to get back to the easel and get to work. I wish I always had this creative spark, this passionate flame to sustain me ... but life isn't about riding the winds on a warm sunny day, it's about enjoying the journey through the calm times, the waves, the sun and the night. Peace. -A
 
Please contact Lizzards Gallery for more information about today's painting.

Bluestone Winterland, Blue Ice & Winter Blues

"Bluestone Winterland" 12" x 12"

"Blue Ice" 4" x 4"

"Winter Blues" 4" x 4"

If you love cobalt blues (like me), you'll love today's post which features three new originals currently available at Siiviis Gallery in Duluth, MN. These were painted in a familiar theme of mine, that being birch trees amongst a twilight blue sky and blue stones. I decided to feature them together as they were painted simultaneously. I have a large scale work in mind featuring this theme in the future as I'm drawn to this color and subject matter. It also fits this time of year when the days aren't quite as long, and the forest floor resembles the blue ice that I used to title one of the smaller works. I'm off to work on some new canvases that feature a new theme I've never tried before, but it will be a challenge and will be posted next week. Have a great day! -A

Please contact Siiviis Gallery for more information about these paintings

Gold Guys & Golden Sky Guy

Gold Guys, Acrylic on 6"w x 6"h canvas

Golden Sky Guy, 8"w x 8"h

Today's cardinals have a background color that I've never used before. The gold is more of an ochre color and less of a yellow color. The result is a warmer, more calming feel. I really like how it plays with the reds of the cardinals, and disguises their beaks, as if they don't want you to know what they're saying. :) I've also been thinking about the edge of the canvas. In the past, I've worked to the edge and cropped the photos of the works to the edge with a crisp, straight line. Lately, I've been stopping my brushstrokes before the edge of the canvas, and I'm working to capture that with the camera as well. It brings a more uniform feel to the works, and so far I'm enjoying the effect, especially where the birch trees meet the edge of the canvas, such as in these pieces available at Siiviis Gallery in Duluth, MN.

Please contact Siiviis Gallery for more information about these paintings.

January Maples and Maple Snow

"January Maples" 4"w x 4"h

"Maple Snow" 4"w x 4"h

Here are a couple of fun little winterscapes. I started with the maples and fully intended to add more color and texture to the trees, but after I painted the snow I realized that they should stay dark to give the snow contrast. This is the end of the spectrum so to speak ... white and black. I can't increase the contrast any more than that, and the snowflakes are titanium white by Golden straight out of the tube. I love to glaze my paints in multiple shades that are thin and semi-transparent, but not the snow. I also had some fun with the shadows, adding in some cobalt blue over burnt sienna ... basically giving the impression that the snow is falling over the forest floor.

Please contact Lizzards Gallery for more information about these paintings.

Red Winter Ridge

"Red Winter Ridge", 8"w x 8"h

I stopped into Lizzards Gallery yesterday to drop off 13 new works on canvas. There is nice selection in the gallery already of larger works on canvas, and the holiday season had depleted the selection of smaller works, so I focused on the smaller sized canvases. I just love the square sized canvases, so if you visit the gallery you'll get to see the bright new work featuring snowy landscapes and cardinals. All the new work is also on my website if you'd like to view it there. My daughter is asking to go ice skating ... gotta get outside and enjoy this beautiful winter weather this weekend! Stop back soon. :)

Please contact Lizzards Gallery for more information about today's painting.

Three Part Harmony

"Three Part Harmony" 12"w x 12"h

Who doesn't just love harmony in music? There's rhythm and harmony in painting. When you have it, you feel like you can paint forever and every brush stroke sings and dances across the canvas like the sun on a sparkling lake. When you lose it, you pace around the studio wondering if you'll ever be able to lift a brush again. The ups and downs of being an artist ... at least I have these little guys to cheer me up. :)

Please contact Siiviis Gallery for more information about this painting.

By the Bright Moonlight

"By the Bright Moonlight" Acrylic on 12"w x 12"h canvas

Here's a cool blue winterscape titled By the Bright Moonlight, which is 12"w x 12"h and currently available at Siiviis Gallery in Duluth, MN. Siiviis now has a Facebook page, here's the link.

All my new work at Siiviis can also be found here.

Please contact Siiviis Gallery for more information about this painting.

January Cardinals

"January Cardinals" Acrylic on 3-6"w x 18"h canvases totaling 18"w x 18"h

My blog may have been a little quiet as of late but there's been a flurry of activity in the studio. Over  a dozen new works have been created for a gallery called Siiviis in Duluth, MN. I'd have been posting beforehand, but then, I wanted to start posting as the works are available at the gallery, hence the lag in blog posts. Tomorrow, I'll be braving the sub zero weather yet again in Duluth to bring in a selection of cardinals and other winterscapes in a large range of sizes and prices. I can't wait to see them all hung in the gallery ... the cardinals in this group are painted in such a vibrant red they literally grab your attention and say 'look at me!' ... but isn't that what cardinals do? Please stop back soon as new work will be posted daily. Gotta fly. -A

Riverwood Gallery display wall

Riverwood Gallery display, Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Riverwood Gallery in Eau Claire, Wisconsin is now featuring a nice collection of my work. Any blog readers in the area may want to stop over there and check out the beautiful display the gallery made. A freshly cut Aspen is mounted to the wall and the artwork is creatively spaced and features many colorful cardinals and other landscapes in multiple sizes. I've posted all the work on my website along with the gallery contact information here. If you see something you like please give the gallery a call or email as they offer shipping.
Here's the contact info:

Riverwood Gallery
3402 Mall Drive, Eau Claire, WI
Phone: (715) 833-2111
Email
Website

Riverwood Gallery

My work is now featured at Riverwood Gallery in Eau Claire, Wisconsin! I'm so excited to see how people from a new area respond to my work and it connects with them. I've just sent a shipment of works to the gallery, and uploaded the new work to my website as well, click here to view it in a new window.

Please check it out and stop back soon ... lots of new work will be featured in January ... gotta get back at it, there are twelve works in progress waiting for me. :)