Hidden Blue Jay

"Hidden Blue Jay" 8"w x 8"h

"Tiny Jay" 4"w x 4"h

Today's piece features a blue jay who thinks he's hidden himself amongst the cobalt blue forest, skies, and birches ... but he can't fool us, we can see him. :) Such an interesting form the blue jay is, the markings, the color, they are such a striking bird. If it ever stops snowing here in Duluth, MN I'll get more paintings finished! lol, I'm off to work. -A

For more information on these paintings, please contact Z Place Gallery in Ironwood, MI.

Vertical Birch Blues

"Vertical Birch Blues" 6"w x 12"h

"Crimson Birches" 4"w x 4"h

I thought a 'snowscape' (as I like to call them) would be appropriate for today. The snow is falling in buckets in Duluth, MN today. I just shoveled 4" and I bet I'll be doing the same thing again later today. The snow sure is pretty, covering the forest like a soft white blanket. Rabbit and deer tracks are visible and the depth of blue color in the twilight is just amazing. Yesterday, a small coyote ran across the street ... at first I thought it was a fox or wolf, but now I'm thinking it was a coyote. He probably had spring fever lol. I know I do. It's off to the studio now, several horizontal birch forests are in the works, to be posted next week. Cheers. -A

For more information on these paintings, please contact Z Place Gallery in Ironwood, MI.

Autumn Layers

"Autumn Layers" 12"w x 6"h

Here is one more piece from my Daily Paintworks site. This one features a distant cobalt ridge that is about as subtle as a distant cobalt ridge could be! The birch trees are the focus and subject of this piece, but I enjoy studying works and finding subtle things to enjoy ... a certain brush stroke, a color, a depth of texture ... that's what I enjoy the most. The subject is important, but so is the skill of the artist and the execution of the work ... and the subtle shades of color and texture that bring a smile to the painter's face. :)

For more information on today's piece, please visit:
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/aaron-kloss/autumn-layers/129795

Birch Forest Blues

"Birch Forest Blues" 10"w x 10"h

This night painting has a very calming effect on me. Life has been a little too fast and the cobalt blue skies and deep foreground shadows make me want to pause and take it all in. This piece is featured on my Daily Paintworks page ... which is an online artist community. I don't frequently post there, I just enjoy the fellowship and will add work every so often so they can get a feel for my style. That's all for now, happy Friday!!
-A

For more information on today's painting, please visit:
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/aaron-kloss/birch-forest-blues/129399

Gold Moon

"Golden Moon" 8"w x 8"h

These's just something special about the night. The deep blues of the skies and waters, the mystery of the cool and the quiet ... the shadows and the sounds ... on a secluded lake somewhere in northern Minnesota the full moon lights up the night and the distant golden birch ridges. It sparkles and dances across the waters.

There's just something special about the night.


For more information about this painting, please contact Stone's Throw Gallery in Bayfield, WI.

Birch Forest Sentinel

"Birch Forest Sentinel" 10"w x 10"h

"March Forest", 4"w x 4"h

There is an underlying current that runs through my work and that current compels me to set boundaries and limits while I'm working. I frequently feel drawn to do this and I'm not sure why at this point. Since I paint from memory and emotion/experience ... I often complete a painting and then view it over time .. learning more about myself, my artistic voice, why the painting turned out the way it did. For today's Birch Forest Sentinel, the boundary set was to paint with two colors only ... titanium white and cobalt blue. The depth of color that can be achieved amazes me ... and I'm already thinking ahead to another piece in this theme on a larger scale where the contrast is pushed even farther in the deep areas of the cobalt blue. Cold and sunny here today ... good day to be productive in the studio. :) -A

Please contact Siiviis Gallery in Duluth, MN for more information on today's pieces.

Autumn Blue Jay

"Autumn Blue Jay" 8"w x 8"h

"Birch Jay No. 2" 4"w x 4"h

Who doesn't like complementary color? I know Van Gogh's bold colors weren't always well received by his fellow Parisian painting pals, but I'm sure glad he paved the way and wasn't afraid to express what he felt he had to say via the brush and the canvas. There is an element of meaning in these bird paintings I often create and I know I've mentioned it before here on this blog. It's the determination you need if you want to be an artist. You can't be afraid to express yourself, and even go against the grain of what other artists are doing if that's what you need to do to communicate what's in your heart. Blue jays often scare away other birds in the forest, but they also warn when predators are nearby and they aren't afraid to take on other animals bigger than themselves. Perhaps this is the vibe I'm getting from today's warmly lit blue jay piece. No fear here. :) -A

Please contact Siiviis Gallery in Duluth, MN for more information on today's pieces.

Trés 'Jays

"Trés 'Jays", 10"w x 10"h

"Birch Jay No. 1", 4"w x 4"h

Please contact Siiviis Gallery in Duluth, MN for more information on today's pieces.

Winter Birches

"Winter Birches" 8"w x 8"h

"Little Red" 4"w x 4"h

Just a peaceful birch forest for Saturday, March 9, 2013 .. as the snow quietly falls in as I type this in a quiet little city set on a hill in northern Minnesota named Duluth ... while a little red rascal watches from his perch on a birch. If he's at all like me he's ready for Spring. :)

Please contact Z Place Gallery for more information on today's pieces.

Blue & Gold Cardinals at Z Place Gallery

"Blue & Gold Cardinals Triptych", 18"w x 12"h

"Gold View" 4"w x 4"h

Today's post is a timely one for you hockey fans. The Minnesota State High School Boys Hockey Tournament is a highlight of winter for me, and during the tournament nothing seems to get done around the house. :) My high school is in the tournament (Wayzata) and they defeated Centennial High School last night to advance to the second round of the tournament. What does this have to do with painting you may ask? Well, not much really. Except that the Wayzata Trojans school colors are blue and gold, and the triptych featured here today is titled Blue & Gold Cardinals Triptych. I didn't plan it this way, it just kind of worked out that I wanted to post some new work at a wonderful new gallery in Ironwood MI called Z Place Gallery. There's a nice selection of cardinals and some other landscapes at Z Place ... and they'll be receiving a handful of blue jay paintings early next week as well.

Please contact Z Place Gallery for more information on today's pieces. 

... And if you'd like to follow the hockey tournament, here's a link that will give you all the info: Hockey Hub

Have a great weekend!
-Aaron

Cranberry Capers

"Cranberry Capers", Acrylic on 8"w x 8"h x 2.25" deep canvases (4)

This series is a one-of-a-kind. The blue jays were painted on deep 2.25" museum profile canvases and have quite a presence either on the wall or on a display shelf. While they were painted in a series, I thought it best to sell them individually.

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