Painted Poodle

This last spring I was asked to paint a poodle sculpture for the Bemidji Sculpture Walk. I was inspired by the work of Gustave Klimt and this was the result.  The Sculpture Walk raffled it off to one lucky recipient at their 20th anniversary celebration in June.

I titled the piece “Hide and Seek — Homage to Gustave Klimt”  Within the patterns I used some of Klimt’s imagery but also added hidden images and symbols for the viewers to find. There are over 50 things that people can find on this sculpture. It took me a long time to paint, but it was fun and people enjoyed looking at it!

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So much for good intentions…

So here I am with a whole year flown by and not many posts. It seemed that I was always going to post something as soon as I finished _______, and then I was immediately busy with something else.

I completed a few dog portraits — two were commissioned works, and the other I did just because I wanted to paint that dog.

 

The other thing I have been spending time on was a large metalwork commission — a double gate for a client’s home.   I just got it finished and installed!

Tomorrow I’m off to an annual art benefit event in Grand Forks North Dakota. It is a fantastic event that raises funds for deserving organizations in the community, and showcases lots of wonderful artworks.

Hoping to have more art to share this year.  Now that spring has finally arrived (we had a long, long winter!) I expect some creative energy to come along with it!

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Last Day of 2014

This year has certainly gone FAST. I have been busy enough to neglect posting new things and hope to do better in the year to come. I have been working on a grant, learning new metal sculpture techniques, and will have those to share in the new year. I have also been doing paintings for shows, and commissions and will share a few of them today.

This piece is entitled “Knock, knock …Whoo’s There?”  Won 2nd place in Super Gold category at the annual Artists of MN spring show.

“Harley”

One of my dog portrait commissions. Here is another:

“Ella”

and one more:

“Lulu”

Here I am, working in the metal shop.

“Me. at work on a new project”

and a goodby for now shot of Groucho under our Christmas tree.

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News from the North

We survived the winter! It was one of the coldest I can remember, and hard to live with the seemingly never-ending subzero temps. In March, my husband and I enjoyed a reprieve — we went on a road-trip through Missouri, where we enjoyed a visit with family, and then to Florida, where we stayed with gracious friends and enjoyed the warmth of sun and sand. It was -30 the morning we left, and in the 70’s in Florida — over 100 degrees warmer! On the way home we went through New Orleans, spending a tourist day in the French Quarter. I’ll post a couple glimpses of our trip:

 

A scene at the beach we visited (several times)

One of MANY birds we saw — especially pelicans.

One view from our day in New Orleans.

We were welcomed home with 10 inches of new snow — but it has since melted, and we are hopeful that spring is truly here.

Art busy-ness started right in — hanging new shows at the RavenRock Gallery, entering the annual Hawley open judged show [I won a 2nd place!] and preparing for the annual Artists of Minnesota show, coming up in May. I also had a dog portrait commission to work on, which I completed this week. Here is a look at the finished painting:

Alaskan Malamute “Charlie”

I’ve been reading up and researching metal sculpture techniques. This year I plan to learn to work with copper, aluminum, stainless steel, bronze, and other metals in addition to the steel I already work with. I received a grant to help me with this goal. Should be fun [and lots of work, too]. I am excited to see what I can learn, and create this year.

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Happy New Year to all.

Hard to believe it is 2014! It is starting out as the old year ended — bitterly cold. We had around minus 36 this morning, and that is not wind chill, just the actual temp. So glad I have a house to keep me warm — how the pioneers and Native Americans lived here in ‘the old days’ is hard to conceive of.

Well, we are sure to have some warmer days and good times ahead. I like to look back at summer pictures about this time, and some of my paintings of fall — which I think is my favorite season, because the colors have so much energy! I’ll post a few of my “Autumn Glory” series.

“Color and Sunshine”
10″x10″Acrylic on canvas

“Reds I” 9″x12″ Acrylic on canvas

“Look Up!” 16″x 20″Acrylic on canvas

“Glory Days” 12″x16″ Acrylic on canvas

“Fall Birches” 10″x10″Acrylic on canvas

These were all painted in what I consider a ‘backwards’ technique: I start with the lightest color, which I paint over  the whole canvas except the areas I know will be tree trunks or branches. I then layer on more colors to create the sunlit leaves. Next are the tree trunks/branches. Then most of the mid-size and smaller branches. Finally I add the sky, which is what gives form and dimension to the leaves, and perhaps a few tiny twigs. This is the total opposite of my usual method of painting the background first, and then giving attention to the subject. It is actually quite fun to do things in a different way once in a while, and it helps me loosen up on these landscape subjects, which really don’t need to be photo perfect. It is the mood and the energy of the season that I’m trying to convey. Every one of these paintings were based on trees in my own yard. I am so fortunate to live in a beautiful place!

Hope your year is off to a good start!

 

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Studio Cruise is here again

We are almost ready for this year’s studio cruise! This year I am participating as a guest artist at a friend’s studio — this is an experiment to see if being closer to town gives me a bigger audience and is it worth the extra work of having to transport all of my work, display materials, and refreshments, etc. to town. I will be at the studio of Pat Shough, who lives in the Lavinia area on the east side of Lake Bemidji. If you are in Bemidji, or can arrange to come here, be sure to stop and see us this Friday, Saturday or Sunday. There will be 3 artists there, so lots of art for one stop, and you will have a good time!

I have worked hard to have some new pieces for this show — I have over 20 brand new paintings that have not been exhibited before. I will post a few of them here, but remember, they always look better in person.

“Barnyard King” Original Watercolor/mixed media

I started a series of pet portraits called Canine Cameos and Feline Faces. Here are a couple from that series:

“Household Tiger” Original Acrylic 10″x10″ on canvas

“German Shepherd” Original Acrylic 10″x10″ on canvas

I have also departed from animal subjects for a few of my new works, and have enjoyed portraying some of the beautiful nature found here in northern Minnesota. Here are a couple from my “Nature Close-up” series:

“Yellows I” Original Acrylic 11″x14″ on canvas

“Minnesota Twins” Original Acrylic 10″x10″ on canvas

That’s all for now — I’ll put up some of my other new works soon. I’ll leave you with a funny view of my cat, Groucho. He is always good for a laugh.

Groucho, lolling on the floor, as usual.

 

 

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How can summer be almost over!?

It is hard to believe that the all too short summer is already drawing to a close. It has been busy, as it always is. We have had nights in the 40’s already, and the back-to-school sales are on in full force. I  had many fun art times this summer with my Studio 10 group and at various classes and exhibits I’ve attended. Especially fun was a workshop of Karen Knutson’s that was held at her home studio in Eden Prairie, MN. It made me want to do more watercolor painting! Thanks Karen! It was great!  Here is one of the paintings I did at her workshop.

“Moonlit” Watercolor and mixed media 11″x15″

I also finished two commissions this summer, and both of the families were happy with my depiction of their pets. [That always makes ME happy!] Here is “Jessie”

“Jessie” 20″x16″ Acrylic on canvas

And here is “Ruthie”

“Ruthie”” 12″x9″ Pastel on velour paper

Another piece I did was a bit of a challenge — working from my imagination instead of a photo of a real animal. My critique group put up an exhibit called ‘Dragons’ at Brigid’s Pub in Bemidji. It turned out to be a really great exhibit, which challenged us all. There is still time to see it if you are in town before Labor Day. Here is my painting:

 

“Legendary Beast” 20″x16″ Acrylic/mixed media on foamcore.

I showed this one with the frame because I thought the frame really enhanced this work. It was one I had in my inventory for a long time, waiting for the right painting to go with it. Speaking of dragons, we participated once again with the Buena Vista ski patrol to run the annual dragonboat races in Bemidji. It was another fun and successful event. If you have never watched, or been in a dragonboat race, you should try it!

Before I sign off, I want to share a couple paintings by two of my summer art students. Here is an acrylic landscape by Jenny:

And here is a pastel painting done by Mattie:

I have the BEST students! They do some wonderful work and I am proud to be their teacher.

I hope to squeeze some more good times in before the snow flies. (And we must get a new roof on the house too — not so fun, but needed!) Hope all you readers are having a wonderful summer.

 

 

 

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Summer is here at last!

Whoa! Time has a way of getting away from me. So much has happened since my last post. I will catch up on the most memorable parts —

Right after finishing my High School class in April, my husband and I took a road trip out west to visit two of our kids, and some family and friends along the way. This is one big country! Lots of miles, lots of good times. I brought a pastel portrait of my son’s dog, Kuna and gave it to him as a surprise. He said it looks just like her, so that made me happy.

These next two paintings were my entries in the Artists of Minnesota show this spring. The one titled “Be Alert” got a merit ribbon in the Super Gold category.

“Be Alert” 30″x30″ Acrylic mixed/media on canvas. [There are 5 wolves hiding in the background – can you see them?]

“BFF” 20″x16″ Acrylic/mixed media on canvas.

Right after returning from the trip, I attended a week-long workshop taught by Karen Knutson. It was so fun! Learned a lot and had good visits with fellow artists. Below is one of my paintings from the workshop, taken during the final critique.

Watercolor and collage painting at Karen Knutson workshop

That brings me up to the end of May, and I will have to continue in the next post from there. I am glad to report that the snow did finally melt and the leaves came out. [Of course, now we have mosquitoes, but that is a whole ‘nuther story!]

 

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Last Day of August reflections

Here it is the Labor Day weekend already! This summer flew by like the wind, with lots of things happening every week. It was a busy time for my art life that is for sure! I was very happy to complete two benches which will be at First Lutheran Church in Bemidji. It was challenging to get them done because of the unusually hot weather this year, and the frequent thunderstorms when it wasn’t hot! Here is a picture of the benches the day we delivered them.

“Northwoods Evergreens” benches. They will be installed at First Lutheran Church in Bemidji.

The art group I belong to “Studio 10”, has an exhibit at the Wild Hare cafe for the month of August. Our theme for the show is “Moods and Foods”.  This was a challenge for me, as it was a bit out of my normal subject range — but challenge is good, and here is what I created for the show:

“Hot Trio” (Coffee, Tea, Cocoa) I wanted to portray the different moods that these 3 beverages evoke in this triptych. It was a fun challenge for me.

In the middle of the month I attended our Region 2 Arts Council board retreat. It was located at Ruttger’s resort here in Bemidji, and was a fun way to meet our new board members and get tuned up for the busy year of grants and art support ahead. How is this for a nice meeting room?

Meeting locale at Ruttger’s resort, on Lake Bemidji.

We’ve been having family and friends visiting now that the kitchen project is done, which is so nice after 2 years of chaos! We also were involved with two dragonboating events, in Bemidji and Duluth. I still managed to finish a pet portrait commission of Kit, a sweet little Border Collie. I also participated in the first ever ‘Art Extravaganza’ hosted by the Art Center for kids from 7-14.  Looking ahead now, I’m preparing for the annual Studio Cruise in October. I hope to get some new works painted for that event, so plan to come out and see me!       Here’s Kit:

“Kit” 9×12 Pastel on Velour Paper

 

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Summer in Minnesota

Summer is always a busy time in Minnesota. Since it is so short, we have to squeeze a lot of busy-ness into it! This summer is no exception. We have put many hours into finishing up the kitchen project, and we are almost done. Just have to install the kitchen bar on the back of the center island, and hook up the dishwasher. Here is a peek at the project that has kept us busy for so long.

Our new kitchen island, with cupboards and stove beyond it.

We had to take some time to put a steel roof on the shop — the shingle roof was leaking, and since we were getting a lot of rain, we had to get that taken care of right away!  I have been out in the shop working on a commission of two steel benches, which I will post when I get them put together. I am still cutting the designs into the pieces, then I will be able to start construction.

Tomorrow my art critique group, Studio 10, will be hanging an exhibit at Dunn Brothers in Bemidji. If you are in town on Friday, we will have an opening reception from 2-4 pm. The exhibit will be up for the whole month of July. Then on Tuesday I will be helping install the “We all Love Paul” exhibit at Neilson Place, which is in celebration of the 75th birthday of Paul Bunyan as an icon in the town of Bemidji. Should be a fun exhibit, with art and photos from many artists. The opening reception for that one is also on Friday, from 3-4:30 pm. This exhibit will be available for viewing through October.  Here is a look at my entry in the exhibit: “Paul and Babe, the Early Days”

“Paul and Babe, the Early Days” Acrylic/Mixed-media on canvas, 24″x18″

The hot weather has arrived along with the beginning of July. We won’t complain too much since so many are dealing with such difficult problems — flooding in Duluth, wind damage out east, and huge fires  out west. Hope all that gets resolved soon.

We had a cute visitor in our backyard the other night — I will share a picture!

Evening visitor in the backyard. Mom and twin were there too, but they stayed back in the brush. This little guy came out on the lawn where we could get a good look at him. 🙂

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