Zinnia in the heat

6 x 8 Oil on Linen Panel

Zinnias hold a few memories for me such as my Mother's Garden, a late Neighbor's peace offering, and the State fair.  They stand proud and stiffly in the late August heat and the blooms last for an eternity.  I am glade I took some time to paint this one.  

Time of transitions

6 x 8 oil on Board

 I had the gut wrenching expierence of sending my sweet, creative, intelligent playmate and daughter off to kindergarten.   Thankfully it has been harder on me then on her.  I am proud and happy to see her growing into her own person.   In between the sobbing I managed to do some painting.  The Bee Balm went crazy this year in my garden.  I am not sure I did it justice but I tried to capture the way it glistened in the morning.  

12 x 16  oil on Linen Panel

  I painted this meadow a couple of times while on vacation in August.   I hope to make a larger piece utilizing the plein air paintings as reference. 

8 x 10 Oil on Linen Panel

Hackensack, MN

8 x 10 oil on linen panel

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to see me at Red Hot Art festival.  It was so encouraging to see people looking at and even buying my paintings.  With the help of my dearest Husband I was able to get out three mornings to paint some scenes near Tri-Birches resort in Hackensack, MN.  The yearly trip to Tri-Birches is a multi generational annual family vacation.  Sadly, due to serious illness our family was not complete this year.  

Framing Day!

Between summer park camps, Ballet class, and nap time, I am getting some paintings framed for Red Hot Art and Music Festival.  I also finished roughly 20 handmade journals / sketchbooks made with 100% cotton italian made paper.  These journals were the gateway for me to begin painting again.  They are also cheap therapy.  I am so excited to see what happens this weekend.    

8 x 10 oil on linen (sold)

8 x 10 oil on linen (sold)

9 x 12 oil on linen

I still have some journals left. Feel free to contact me if you are interested in one. ($25)

Lastly, here is a painting I did at an OPM (Outdoor Painters of Minnesota) paint out last Saturday.  The paint out was at the home of a talented gardener who combined Horticulture and Permaculture to create a beautiful and healthy landscape.

9 x 12 oil on linen

July Plein Airs

Lutsen, MN 8 x 10 (sold)

At the end of June I was lucky enough to take a plein air painting class with the talented Kami Mendlik.  The class of 16 worked on finding the big shapes and seeing the color of light.  I have been trying to lock in what I learned; trying to hone my eye for color and value. 

Hyland lake Park restored prairie
9 x 12 oil on linen

I had a lot of fun painting this.  I packed up and headed out at the last minute on a week day evening.  I had to choose my subject fast so I would not run out of light.  A couple of deer bounded by about an hour into painting.  

Poplar River Lutsen, MN
9 x 12 oil on linen

 This was very challenging as a plein air and I am not entirely sure I am happy with it, but I do like parts of it.  A woman walked by when I was about half done.  She stopped looked at my canvas and said,  "Well, it is not as bad as what I would do.... uh uh I mean it is better than anything I could do." I have so been this woman before aka foot in mouth syndrome.

Painting the Browndale Park pond

8 x 10 oil on canvas (sold)

Painting at the pond in Browndale Park this weekend.  The park is surrounded by houses.  It seems that one of the homeowners has a dog who has staked the pond as his claim.  He appeared behind me and kept barking and approaching in spite of me talking nicely to him and not making eye contact. Had to yell a few times, but the owners finally heard. They buzzed him with his electronic collar and he ran off towards the homes.
Wondering if this is preparation for the bears I may come across painting along the Northshore this Summer......  Bear spray anyone...... 

Portrait complete?

Here she is in full color. This painting has been so much fun to paint. I have left out some beautiful detail on the hat. (a tassel in the front and a string of beads going from front to back) I am still considering adding them.  I am concerned if I add too much detail it will overwhelm her and and make the painting about the Hanbok instead of her in her Hanbok.  

Here are a couple more progress pictures.

Here I laid in the forms of her face.

This was taken after adding the lights to the skin and painting the details on her eyes.  After this photo was taken I added the red piping around the hat, then the yellow sleeves.