Tiny Red Maple Sunset No.1 and No. 2

Acrylic on 4"w x 4"h x 1.5"d canvases
Click on images to enlarge.
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Two pieces from the Prøve Collective Gallery Tiny Art show.

These two red Maple landscapes were painted in succession. I found myself stepping back as I worked on them, feeling like there was something to be accomplished by adding more color. I finished them, then went back later and added yet more red, and at first I thought I'd pushed them too far, but then I realized that the red color was needed. I just had to know how they would look ... and I'm glad I put forth the effort.

Tiny Red Maple Leaf

Acrylic on 4"w x 4"h x 1.5"d canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.
$20.00, please email me to purchase.

Another piece from the Prøve Collective Gallery Tiny Art show.

I was remembering fondly my hikes with my family this past fall through Lester Park and Lincoln Park in Duluth, exploring quiet riverbeds filled with fall foliage. I took many photos, which have helped me immensely with the color and composition of recent paintings. All of these tiny paintings have me thinking of expanding on the themes and ideas each painting represents. I'm already placing several leaves together in my mind, envisioning them as they would appear in a larger composition. So many ideas ... so little time ...

Tiny Red Sunset Rays

Acrylic on 4"w x 4"h x 1.5"d canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.
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Another piece from the Prøve Collective Gallery Tiny Art show.

This painting packs a punch for being so small. Perhaps it's the old phrase 'The smaller the person ... the more space they occupy.' I just love the red sky, for a red sky at night is an artist's delight. 

Tiny Cardinal

Acrylic on 4"w x 4"h x 1.5"d canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.
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This piece continues the red theme of my 'Tiny Art' pieces from the Prøve Collective Gallery Tiny Art show. The cardinal is looking up toward the sun, perhaps this piece conveys a longing for Spring in my own heart. The composition makes for nice movement, and the reds and greens compliment each other. I'm envisioning a large format piece, perhaps even a triptych, featuring many cardinals 'in conversation'. We'll see. I have a few more tiny art pieces to share through this week, then I'll be posting new work next week, I've been painting some 11"x14" birch landscapes which will be framed canvases that will be displayed at my upcoming show in April at the Blue Lake Gallery in Duluth.

Tiny Winterberry Diptych

Acrylic on 4"w x 4"h x 1.5"d canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.
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There's quite a bit of movement in this tiny diptych that features winterberries. Repetition is created by the branches following along the same line created by distant evergreens in the background. The sky follows suit, sunlight sharing space with cool blues that compliment the bright red berries makes for a fun painting.

Tiny Cranberry Bog

Acrylic on 4"w x 4"h x 1.5"d canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.
 
$20.00, please email me to purchase.

This tiny painting was a big stretch for me subject wise as I've always said that I paint landscapes of Northern Minnesota, but I did a little research and found out that there are cranberry bogs in Minnesota, a nice sized one near Aitkin, not to mention people who grow cranberries on their land all around Northern MN. I'm captivated by the sea of red cranberries floating in deep blue waters with the distant skyline ... and even though I was constrained to a 4x4" canvas, I could envision cranberry bogs on a 48"wx36"h canvas ... perhaps in the future I'll paint a larger scale cranberry bog, but only after I've made sure I have a lot of crimson paint. :)

Tiny Cranberry Birch Triptych

Acrylic on Three 4"w x 4"h x 1.5"d canvases, totalling 12"w x 4"h
Click on image above to enlarge.
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I thought I'd share the tiny paintings currently in Duluth's Prøve Collective Gallery individually on my blog in the next week in addition to featuring a selection of them as a collage. First off, taking photos of tiny art is not easy, but I did the best I could and this first painting is a fun 12"w x 4"h painting on three separate 4" square canvases. Each painting carries the color red as an undercurrent, tying them all together.

Tiny Art Show at the PROVE Gallery, Duluth

Last night my family and I visited the PROVE Collective Gallery in Duluth to view the opening reception of a wonderful show at the gallery titled 'Tiny Art.' The show was amazing, such a diverse collection of art from sculpture to painting to music and more. My work was so compelling at the 4"x4" scale of each canvas. What a wonderful experience, and great turnout for the opening.

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. :)

 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!

Twilight Maples: Five Shadows

Acrylic on 4"w x 4"h x 1.5"d Canvas
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Another small canvas, I'm really enjoying the transparent quality I'm getting out of the paint. It's a challenge as I'm varying the pressure with the brushwork, but it's getting the depth I'm looking for ... a layering of texture and color. Just like a late-Autumn forest floor. :)

Twilight Maples: Larger Than Life

Acrylic on 4"w x 4"h x 1.5"d Canvas
Click on image above to enlarge.

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I couldn't resist giving this painting the title Larger Than Life as this is the smallest size I've ever worked in. Weighing in at a whopping four inches by four inches ... I must admit I struggled with my brushstrokes and found myself concentrating more than usual with this painting. As I view this work on screen, I find I can see the texture of the canvas, and I'm enjoying the depth the texture is giving to this work. This is why I wish people could view my art in person and not on screen as they are missing a wealth of detail on screen, but my show is coming up soon where people can view my work in person and also I'm hopeful to work with a local gallery or two to display my work on a regular basis. I enjoyed the challenge of this painting though, and will post a few more of these little guys before beginning my next challenge in a couple weeks ... a 5'w x 3'h painting. That size is definately larger than life.