Gold Moon Rising

"Gold Moon Rising"  6"w x 6"h

This cardinal may have a rich gold moon behind him lighting up the night sky, but the cardinal knows he doesn't need no rich gold moon to light up the forest with his brilliant red color and song that will soon hearken the return of spring. But for now, the snow quietly falls in the forests surrounding my home in Duluth, MN.

Cobalt Winter Birches

"Cobalt Winter Birches"  6"w x 6"h

This 6x6 inch piece, titled Cobalt Winter Birches, is part of a series of paintings I began several years ago. My intent with this series was to feature rocks and birch trees, with the emphasis on the birch trees growing amongst the rocks, almost as if anchored in and supported by the stones. The rich blues of the rocks, ridges, and winter sky all play against eachother to keep your eye moving, and while I don't quite remember the reasoning for this series, the series has pulled me back to itself many times over the years. Perhaps it's times like these when I'm fighting a nasty flu virus during the darkest week of the year that the significance of the birch trees and their stone anchors becomes apparent. -Aaron

Silver Moon

"Silver Moon"  6"w x 6"h

Painting the moon as a subject is so relaxing and intriguing all at once. A round object in the night sky with tiny stars sparkling and the reflection of the moon over the water and rocks is a subject I could paint for quite some time without tiring of it. Perhaps this has to do with my interest in minimalism, or how to communicate what I'm trying to say visually with the least amount of distraction. An analogy would be listening to someone speak to you in a quiet cafe, or trying to listen to someone speak with crowd noise distracting and distorting the message. So the soothing cool blues of the night speak volumes to me in a calm, quiet voice.

Singing Cardinals

"Singing Cardinals"  6"w x 6"h

On a cold rainy December day with a sore throat and fever of 102 degrees, I needed something to cheer me up and this piece is just the ticket. Singing Cardinals, acrylic on 6"w x 6"h canvas, features a familiar theme of mine that makes me smile ... evergreen forests, birch trees and tiny singing cardinals. OK, I'm headed back to bed with a cup of hot tea and lemon. :)

Colorful Sparkles

"Colorful Sparkles"  6"w x 6"h

This 6"w x 6"h painting, titled Colorful Sparkles, features a lake with several jewel toned autumn ridges. The color of the ridges reflects in the water in the foreground, giving that fun mirror image effect to this piece. The rocks on the water break up the plane and add some character to a painting which otherwise pushes the edges of abstract. -Aaron

Glistening Snow

"Glistening Snow"  6"w x 6"h

While you may notice the white snow and birch trees in this new piece, titled Glistening Snow, 6"w x 6"h, my favorite piece of this wintry puzzle is the blues. Winter landscapes can be stark, barren, void of life and filled with whites, grays, and leafless listless trees. Or, the landscapes can be filled with rich blues of ice, shadows, and distant ridges. While this piece doesn't use a complementary color, a warm sky often makes for quite a visual punch, giving color to the bleak midwinter landscape. This painting is part of my ongoing art show at Amity Coffee in Duluth, which will be available for viewing through early January 2015.

Summer Dream

"Summer Dream"  12"w x 4"h

In the midst of winter I couldn't help but reminisce about summer, if only for a few moments. I love the snow and changing seasons of Minnesota, but can't take the cold temps as I get frostbite within minutes at sub zero temperatures. So a summery painting was in order, this one titled Summer Dream, 12"w x 4"h. Seven birch trees in the foreground with a rich green ridge and deep cobalt blue sky in the background. The birch trees reflect a bit of this color in their bark, almost as if they're enjoying the warm colorful season as much as I am. This painting can be found in Grand Marais at Sivertson Gallery.

The Middle Man

"The Middle Man"

In the midst of holiday shopping season, I thought I'd poke a little fun at the distributors and suppliers of big box stores with a cardinal painting titled The Middle Man. This 6"w x 6"h piece also speaks of summer with it's green leaves, but the red and green combo also use the colors of the holiday season. I think the cardinal in the middle of this group of three is either trying to listen to two conversations at once, or thinking about a quieter birch branch to perch on. This painting can be found in Grand Marais at Sivertson Gallery.

Gabby Gathering

"Gabby Gathering"

Recipe for Gabby Gathering:
Acrylic on 12"w x 4"h canvas

Ingredients:
Red cardinals
Evergreens
Birch trees

Directions:
Combine ingredients until composition has reached completion. Repeat if you like the result.
Nutritional information is not available for this recipe.

Please contact Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais, MN for this and many other tasty visual treats.

Get Your Kicks On Scenic 61

"Get Your Kicks on Scenic 61"  16"w x 40"h

While this painting, titled Get Your Kicks on Scenic 61, may remind you of a classic song, this painting features a familiar landmark to those who travel north out of Duluth ... the Scenic 61. This road represents many things to many people, and to me it best represents nostalgia. From a childhood trip up to Lutsen resort, to many trips to Grand Marais ... Boy Scout adventures in the BWCA, and simple Sunday afternoon drives to a secluded picnic spot, this road has taken me away from the hustle and bustle of life and for that I'm grateful. As far as this particular painting, I thought quite a bit on this before attempting to paint. First of all, how to you make a road sign interesting? And how do you place it in the landscape? The sign is square, but I wanted to add more color to the painting, and so I featured autumn color behind the signpost. A lone cardinal sits atop the sign, balancing the color between the warm tones below and the red cardinal feathers. A cool cobalt blue distant ridge and sky finish off this piece, all color working in harmony with the blues and golds of the sign. Well it winds from Duluth to Grand Marais ... over 100 miles all the way ... get your kicks on Scenic 61. This painting can be found in Grand Marais at Sivertson Gallery. I suggest taking the scenic route. :)

Warm Winter Sky

"Warm Winter Sky"  30"w x 15"h

This piece, titled Warm Winter Sky, conveys a feeling of hope and warmth in the midst of an icy blue early winter landscape. The frosty trees, rich blue lake and icy blue stones complement the bright golds of the sky ... and the reflection of the sun in the lake ties the two color elements together. Perhaps this piece was inspired by the recently warming temps here in Duluth, MN after the freezing spell we recently went through. Every painting has a sweet spot, a place in the piece you enjoy, and for me, the sun in the sky does it for me. Maybe I just need to soak up some sun. :)
Please contact Siiviis Gallery in Duluth, MN for more information on this piece.

Cardinal In The Snow

"Cardinal In The Snow"

In honor of my 40th birthday today, I'm posting a new 4"w x 12"h  piece titled Cardinal In The Snow. I've mentioned here before about how I've viewed the cardinal representing those who choose to not follow the crowd, who aren't afraid to be who they're supposed to be. While I wanted to be an artist when I was growing up, I didn't know anyone who was an artist and was directed towards more normal occupational pursuits by teachers and friends. To this day, I still get made fun of for doing what I do, and often people ask what I do for work when I've just told them what I do for work. :) All this to say, at age 40 I'm glad I've chosen the path I've walked and don't have regrets. In many ways I'm that cardinal in the snow, wearing bright red while the rest of my fellow feathered friends blend in to the landscape. If that's what works for them, great. What motivates me to keep painting is perhaps summed up best by a quote from Morgan Freeman: "Get busy living, or get busy dying."
This painting is part of my Retrospective show at Amity Coffee here in Duluth, MN

Icy Forest Cardinals"

"Icy Forest Cardinals"  6"w x 6"h

I love complementary colors. Green and red, blue and gold, orange and blue, and in this case red and blue. In this 6"w x 6"h painting titled Icy Forest Cardinals, these bright red cardinals are probably oblivious to their beautiful icy blue background, because they are busy talking about rising property taxes. Ha ha, I often place elements into compositions as if they are relating to each other, perhaps it's the human emotion that I'm always wanting to address in the landscape ... that powerful emotion that a certain landscape can bring out. Not everyone is as visual, many people have a favorite song or food that will trigger a strong memory. For me, the cardinal will always trigger the response I had when I first observed a cardinal in the woods. The vibrant red color and song of the cardinal is second to no bird in my opinion, and their vibrant color speaks volumes to me in terms of being who you're supposed to be in contrast to a culture that wants you to conform. Perhaps that's what these guys are gabbing about today, it's for you to decide. Please contact Your Art's Desire Gallery in Minnetonka, MN for more information on this piece.

Early Winter

"Early Winter"  12"w x 4"h

The title of this 12"w x 4"h acrylic on canvas piece, Early Winter, sums up the piece well, along with the weather here in frosty northern Minnesota. This morning we were at -10f with a -25f windchill. Brrr. Hopefully temps moderate here soon so we can play outside in the snow. For not, I'm cooped up in the studio, painting a winter wonderland filled with thousands of shades of blue and white.
Please contact Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais, MN for more information on this piece.

Thanksgiving Birches

Thanksgiving Birches, 12"w x 4"h, at Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais, MN.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Frost on the Lake

"Frost On The Lake"  6"w x 6"h

On a cold November morning I thought this 6"w x 6"h piece titled Frost on the Lake would be a fitting blog post. Birches, stones and a snowy foreground are witness to a light purple lake and distant purple ridge. The sky is a lazy hazy shade of winter, but all these elements combine for one interesting cool blue composition. I recently read that Lake Superior is starting to freeze over the earliest in the winter ... at least in the last forty years. I believe it, with the January weather we've had for the past several weeks. At least we're supposed to have a more moderate mid winter. There's always hope ... in the meantime, there's always frost on the lake in November. Please contact Sivertson Gallery in frosty Grand Marais, MN for more information on this piece.

Frosty Forest Cardinals

24"w x 12"h Frosty Forest Cardinals

On a frosty November morning here in Duluth, MN, I thought I'd post an appropriate landscape featuring cardinals, birches, and deep shades of ultramarine blue titled Frosty Forest Cardinals. These little fellas don't seem to mind the cold, but it takes me longer to get used to winter. By the time I get used to winter it's time for spring. Ha ha. Well, for now I'll enjoy painting in cool blues, capturing the captivating blues of winter while adding in complementary colors for interest ... like cardinals. :)
Please contact Your Art's Desire Gallery for additional 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.

Evergreen Cardinal Playland

"Evergreen Cardinal Playland"  36"w x 36"h, Sivertson Gallery, Grand Marais, MN

Fresh off the easel is a new major work titled Evergreen Cardinal Playland which is 36"w x 36"h and just made it's way up the Scenic 61 to Grand Marais, MN this morning. My vision for this piece included cardinals and the color green. That was it, and from that vision, a painting filled with birches, cardinals, and layers of green amongst a bright green sky emerged. The composition is anchored by soft stones, of which you'd find in the forest anywhere in northern Minnesota ... except now you'd have to dig through the snow to find them. :) There is some symbolism to this painting as well, and that is out of the stones grow birches filled with tiny cardinals. I found myself laboring to get them positioned just right, but then thought of the playground at the elementary school filled with kids at recess. There's just something right about a playground filled with laughing children, and something desolate and wrong about an empty playground. So I filled the birch trees with the creatures that bring song and color to the forest ... the cardinal. I even included myself amongst this jovial group of guys .. I'm on the far left, at the bottom, gazing at the brilliant sky while listening to the friendly chatter of the bird that complements the forest and brings complementary color to this composition ... the cardinal. Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be. - Whitney Houston
Please contact Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais, MN for more information on this piece.

Serenity

"Serenity"  6"w x 12"h

Here is a lovely little landscape titled Serenity featuring five golden birches, and the shadows in the foreground have a nice almost transparent quality to them .. almost like rustling leaves. Every painting has a sweet spot as I like to call it, a place in the painting that draws attention, or accomplishes something. I'd compare it to a carpenter finishing a piece and noticing a nice woodgrain that wasn't obvious until the final varnish was applied. Sweet.
Please contact Your Art's Desire Gallery for additional information on this piece.

Colorscapes

"A Colorful Place" 8"w x 8"h

"Colorscape No. 1" 4"w x 4"h

"Colorscape No. 2" 4"w x 4"h

"Colorscape No. 3" 4"w x 4"h

...Just a nice selection of small colorful landscapes for today.
Please contact Your Art's Desire Gallery for more information on these colorful pieces.

November Woods

"November Woods" 12"w x 4"h

I have to chuckle a bit as I post this painting, titled November Woods, on a single digit temperature morning here in northern Minnesota. Usually, we get some snow that melts right away this time of year but we've been 20-30 degrees below normal for the past few weeks. We may get a one day break this weekend when temps spike above freezing before dropping down again. Strange weather pattern we are in .. all this to say that the November forest usually is fun to hike through, with all the leaves off the trees and crisp 30-40 degree weather. That's the memory that inspired today's piece ... birches with a bright blue sky and distant cranberry ridge. The forest floor is covered in brown leaves with a hint of twilight casting golden shadows in the foreground. Alas, the landscape is covered in white today, and people hurry about all bundled up, heads down against the sub zero windchill while the wildlife are hiding from the early winter. Please contact Your Art's Desire Gallery in Minnetonka, MN for more information on this piece.

Golden Evening

"Golden Evening", 10"w x 10"h

Bright cadmium leafed birches and rich cobalt blue skies ... accompanied by rocks and shadows ... what more could you ask for in an autumn landscape? This 10"w x 10"h piece, titled Golden Evening, is part of a group of new works currently on display at Your Art's Desire Gallery in Minnetonka, MN.

By The Moonlight

"By The Moonlight" 10"w x 10"h, Siiviis Gallery, Duluth, MN

By The Moonlight is a new 10"w x 10"h painting I brought in to Siiviis Gallery here in Duluth this past week. A lone cardinal rests on a birch branch and is backlit by a silvery moon. An ultramarine night sky complements the brilliant red cardinal. 'Nuff said. Please contact Siiviis Gallery in Duluth, MN for more information on this piece.

Vertical Endeavor

"Vertical Endeavor" 8"w x 24"h

This piece, titled Vertical Endeavor, is the last of a series of fall themed landscapes featuring the 3-1 format (three times as high as wide). This format allows for me to capture the height of the birch tree, which often only has leaves on the top 1/4 of the tree. This format also allows for many layers. The title sums up the feeling this painting gave me upon completion, and also is a good name for the group of works posted to my blog in the past week.  

Please contact Your Art's Desire Gallery in Minnetonka, MN for more information on this piece.

The Least of These

"The Least of These" 40"w x 16"h

Even though the northland is covered in a fresh blanket of snow, I just keep rolling on the autumn themed works. Since I love complementary colors, in this case blues and warm reds and golds, it just makes sense that I'm drawn to the this particular season. This piece features many different colored ridges seen through birch trees of varying widths. The background once again is the subject of the painting, drawing you in before you realize you're viewing the color through the birches. Outside today the birches are camouflaged by the white snow, and perhaps I'm a bit like the birch tree. I love spring, summer and fall, and tend to hide during the winter. :)

Summer Encore

"Summer Encore" 36"w x 36"h, Sivertson Gallery, Grand Marais, MN

As winter has officially begun here in Duluth, MN with several inches of snow, and low temperatures approaching zero by early next week, I thought I'd fight back with a summer themed painting. This piece is titled Summer Encore and is available at Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais, MN and measures in at 36"w x 36"h. While this piece incorporates some familiar themes of mine, it also has a hefty dose of cadmium yellow, a color I often refer to the color that makes me smile. :) I'm sure I'll paint some winter paintings soon, but for now I'm reminiscing of summer, missing the hiking, biking, walking and swimming with family. I could go for a summer encore right about now. Now where did I put those Vitamin D tablets ...
Please contact Sivertson Gallery for more information on this piece, which will arrive in Grand Marais later this week.

Autumn in Northern Minnesota

"Autumn in Northern Minnesota", 8"w x 24"h NFS

Here is a piece inspired by the season it was painted in. This was for some friends who reside in Washington D.C. who are originally from northern Minnesota, and I thought this piece would remind them of home. We left Minnesota in upper 30 degree temps, as was pleasantly surprised by summer in D.C. I wasn't reminded of home as we arrived and felt the mid seventy degree temps and pouring rain, coupled with humidity, we must have looked like tourists in our cold weather gear. :)

More ironic today is the 10 plus inches of blowing snow currently outside. Sometimes I imagine the autumn season lasting six months, with summer lasting four, and winter and spring taking one month each. (Can't skip Christmas and Easter!) What would it be like to live in a landscape that is in perpetual warm vibrant color? Each year, we get to experience this season of harvest for a couple short weeks where I live before we get blasted with six months of winter ... I can't live in autumn color indefinately but I can capture it on canvas and make it last forever.

Autumn In New Hampshire

"Autumn In New Hampshire" 8"w x 24"h NFS

For the first time in forever (OK, my kids might be influencing me a bit with their silly soundtrack songs they like to sing) I painted a scene based on what I thought something might look like. Recently, on our vacation, as we made our way north from Virginia to New Hampshire, the leaves went from lush green to full autumn color along the route. Before we left I finished this piece for some folks we visited, and I looked at reference photos and realized the land in New Hampshire was very similar to what I see around my home here in Duluth, MN. Lots of water, hills, rocks, trees ... I felt right at home there as opposed to our time spent in New York City rush hour traffic. I may not be much of a city boy, but the experience was worth the time spent with family and friends.

Frosted Trees

"Frosted Trees"  30"w x 15"h

This painting, titled Frosted Trees, is a new favorite of mine, could be because it features my favorite (or favourite if you're Canadian ;) ) color blue. The trees this week have had a layer of frost on them, it won't be long until the snow flies and winter is upon us. But until them the lakes are a rich shade of blue and the frosty trees sparkle and shine off the water along the lakeshore here in northern Minnesota.

Sing Down The Moon

"Sing Down The Moon" 12"w x 24"h

A book my daughter was reading inspired the title of this 12"w x 24"h piece which is titled Sing Down The Moon ...  I happened to be painting the moon in this painting, then walked through the living room where the book was and the title just piqued my interest. I haven't read the book yet, but if I could sing down the moon, I wouldn't ... I would rather the moon stay in the sky right where it belongs so I can paint it. :) Last night, the moon was full and bright, there's just something special about a moonlit landscape. Please contact Your Art's Desire Gallery in Minnetonka, MN for more information on this piece.

Evergreen Cardinal Symmetry

"Evergreen Cardinal Symmetry" 24"w x 12"h

Here is a fun cardinal painting titled Evergreen Cardinal Symmetry whose title came to me as I was working on it and noticed there was a natural symmetry to the piece. Symmetry is a no no for artists, as symmetry is boring, or at least that's what I was taught in art school. But I didn't care much for the rules in art school, which didn't always bode well for my GPA, but in the end you have to be true to yourself, and I love symmetry ... and apparently, so do cardinals. These little fellas have no doubt arranged themselves in two groups of three to the left and right of center, with the two cardinals in the middle perhaps giving instructions to their friends as they are probably going to play a friendly game of baseball, but only one team can be the Cardinals ...
Please contact Siiviis Gallery in Duluth, MN for more information on this piece.

Pumpkin Pie Spice

"Pumpkin Pie Spice" 4"w x 4"h

Here's a tiny painting titled Pumpkin Pie Spice. I'm going to be posting some more works from my Landscapes show this week now that I'm back from vacation. Oh, and for your information, this painting is not edible. :)

This piece is part of my Landscapes show at Lizzards Gallery Sept. 25 - Nov. 8, 2014. 
Please contact Lizzards Gallery in Duluth, MN for more information on this piece.

All in a row

Here is a new piece from my Landscapes show titled All in a Row, 16"w x 12"h, at Lizzards Gallery available for viewing now through Nov. 8, 2014. The cardinal makes it's way into many of my landscapes, and these cardinals have a nice warm ambience to them, provided by the gold and brown foliage surrounding them. Perhaps the thought of warm and cozy in the midst of cool rainy weather inspired this piece. Or the vibrant red feathers of the cardinal .. or both.
Please contact Lizzards Gallery in Duluth, MN for more information on this piece which is part of my Landscapes show Sept. 25 - Nov. 8, 2014

Cherry Ridge

"Cherry Ridge"

Here's a delightful little painting titled Cherry Ridge, 4"w x 4"h, featuring a brilliant red ridge and a cool northern Minnesota lake. The shoreline has scattered rocks, and the bright sky sparkles. Hard to believe all this fits on such a small surface! 

Please contact Lizzards Gallery in Duluth, MN for more information on this piece which is part of my Landscapes show Sept. 25 - Nov. 8, 2014

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.

Landscapes show at Lizzards Gallery opening reception

Please stop in to Lizzard's Art Gallery & Framing this evening from 5 - 7:00 pm for the opening reception of 'Landscapes & Pots'. There will be beautiful 2D and 3D art by amazing local and regional artists, along with refreshments and the largest collection of my landscapes ever assembled. Be there or be square! -Aaron

p.s. - You may also view the show online at:
http://www.aaronkloss.com/landscapes-show.html

Walk With Me A While

"Walk With Me A While"  36"w x 24"h

Today's piece is a take on a familiar theme of mine which harkens back to my earliest work. While I was pondering what to paint as an aspiring landscape painter, I took frequent hikes with my family in the wilderness around my home in Duluth, MN and came across some breathtaking vistas that would would guide me on my artistic path for years to come. I was drawn to the warm colors of fall and especially to the shadows cast across the forest floor from the setting sun. The rich warm colors and complementary deep blue skies have frequently found their way onto my canvases, and this piece, titled Walk With Me A While, which is 36"w x 24"h beckons you to visually walk through the maple and birch forests and get awestruck by the color and beauty ... who knows, maybe it will inspire you to paint too!

Please contact Lizzards Gallery in Duluth, MN for more information on this piece which is part of my Landscapes show Sept. 25 - Nov. 8, 2014

Where it all began

 

Here is a new piece titled Where It All Began, 7"w x 5"h,  which is part of a large group of smaller work brought in to Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais recently. This piece features maples and the color gold, along with a blue sky. This color combination is what really caught my eye as I began painting years ago, and whenever I paint in this palette I have fond memories of the good old days, hence the title of this piece. Please contact Sivertson Gallery for more information on this piece and many others.

Retrospective show at Amity Coffee in Duluth, MN

Please stop by Amity Coffee in Duluth, MN to view my latest show titled Retrospective, on display now through October 2014. This show features many of my favorite landscape paintings from the last several years that I've held onto for various reasons ... so in other words, most of the walls at my home are empty! But the walls at Amity Coffee are filled with color, and the coffee shop is opening tomorrow, Saturday September 6. Another aspect of this show is that is shows a progression in style from some of my earliest works where I developed my signature style. Hope you can stop by! ... and the chai lattes are deeeeeeelicious too!
-Aaron

Superior Stones No. 1

"Superior Stones" 6"w x 6"h, Sivertson Gallery, Grand Marais, MN

I have a new shipment of small works heading to Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marias, MN and this piece, titled Superior Stones No. 1 in one of twelve new pieces. The new works contain many paintings done in series of three. While I love to paint multi panel pieces, I like to offer my work to people who are traveling and/or looking for small pieces to add to their collections as well. This piece originally began as a night painting, but I just couldn't leave it alone as I was finishing and thought to add the golds in the distance and reflecting on the waters. The effect is that now a warm gold sunset complements the many shades of blue in the waters, distant ridge, rocks and sky. The birch trees quietly observe this northern lake scene, and like me, wish the warmth of the sunset would last just a bit longer ...
Please contact Sivertson Gallery for more information on this piece.

Placid Lake Triptych

"Placid Lake Triptych" 90"w x 40"h, Sivertson Gallery, Grand Marais, MN

Today's piece is titled Placid Lake Triptych and is available at Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais, MN. This painting is the largest I've ever attempted at 90"w x 40"h. I worked on this painting over a two week period and I've excited to share it and so happy it's finished all at the same time. :) I've been working in a recent compositional theme of birches in the foreground, and smaller birches across a lake, with the two blues of the skies and waters complementing the warm golds of the birches. I found myself staring at this painting quite a bit as it was nearing completion, feeling the effect of the thousands of brushstrokes and wondering at what it all means ... so I looked up placid in the dictionary and in closing, I'll share some meanings of this word with you ...

Placid:
calm and peaceful, with little movement or activity.

"the placid waters of a small lake"

synonyms:

quiet, calm, tranquil, still, peaceful, undisturbed, restful, sleepy "a placid village"

A Little Slice of Heaven

"A Little Slice of Heaven" 8"w x 24"h

 

What can I say about this piece? It was so easy to paint, the composition and color just appearing effortlessly on the canvas, making me wish the painting continued on. Some paintings are quite a struggle, as any artist would know, but this piece was just meant to be I guess. The summer greens with the sun shining off the lake amongst a bright cobalt blue sky and lush birches. With the heat and humidity we've had here, maybe I'll just go jump into this lake, a little refreshing swim in a secluded lake ... a little slice of heaven.
Please contact Siiviis Gallery here in summery Duluth, MN for more information on this piece.

A Far Off Forest

"A Far Off Forest" 24"w x 8"h

Here is an interesting piece titled A Far Off Forest which features birch trees with a distant gold ridge and background. What makes this painting interesting is the glazing of the cadmium gold paint in the background which really gives the piece depth. Another important element that I work to incorporate into my work can be best described by me as simplicity. With art, you often find people trying to put artists into boxes called 'realism', 'impressionism', 'abstraction' etc. With me, the box people try to put me in is 'pointillism'. I don't see my work as pointillism, though, as I paint with brush strokes, not points of color as pointillists have done. 'Minimalism' is another ism that I shy away from, as I'm trying to speak my mind visually as clearly as possible, not just take things out of my work to be more minimal. All this to say I'd rather not have to live in a box as it has to be dark and stuffy. I'd rather enjoy the journey of expressing myself on canvas with paint and blaze my own trail ... not to be stuck in an ism box. Perhaps I'd like to walk in a far off forest, with rich golden distant ridges providing sparks of light...
Please contact Siiviis Gallery here in summery Duluth, MN for more information on this piece.

Ahhhhh ... Summer

"Ahhhh Summer"  36"w x 24"h Siiviis Gallery, Duluth, MN

The title of this piece, Ahhhhh Summer, describes this piece much better than I can with a paragraph. It's that time of year where people wish the days would never end, days filled with beautiful weather and memories of outdoor adventures with family and friends. This is also the time of year you'll often hear the question asked 'why can't every day be like this?' ... I wish I could answer that one, but here in northern Minnesota where you have literally a few weeks of hot sunny weather in any given year, you have to take advantage of the summer weather and get outdoors to soak up that vitamin D from the sun and enjoy the season for all it has to offer. Ahhhh summer ... why can't every day be like this?
Please contact Siiviis Gallery here in summery Duluth, MN for more information on this piece.

Summer 'Dee No. 2

"Summer 'Dee No. 2" 6"w x 6"h

Here is the companion piece to yesterday's titled Summer 'Dee No. 2. Just like bookends, these paintings are almost meant to be displayed together. We'll see if someone in Grand Marais agrees, or if these cute little chickadees find separate homes. The chickadees sure like my new thistle feeder in back, and I've moved the suet feeders away as the noisy starlings take over the block whenever they're eating. Nature's pecking order, I guess. This painting is available at Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais, MN, please contact the gallery for more information.

Summer 'Dee No. 1

"Summer 'Dee No. 1"

Just a happy little chickadee, this is part one and I'll post part two tomorrow. The late start to summer has influenced my work as I titled this one Summer Dee No. 1 and there are no leaves on the birch tree. That has changed now though, as things are growing here in Duluth, and hopefully the lettuce plants and apple tree bears fruit for us, provided we keep up the nice warm sunny weather. This painting is available at Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais, MN, please contact the gallery for more information.