Summer Fare

Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas - 12x16 inches, contact the artist if interested

This painting has been excepted in the Bon Appetit exhibition at Studio Pintura Gallery in Minneapolis, MN.  Opening reception is November 17, 2018 at 5:30 pm if you are in town and interested, then the show runs through January 5th.  The theme of the show is food, anything that includes food.  I had this reference photo from the Minnesota State Fair this year and loved the light.  Since the fair is all about food it worked perfect for this exhibition, plus I painted the sides with more fair inspired imagery and food.

Due to the limitation and inconsistencies of various display monitors, the colors you see on your screen may not be a totally accurate reproduction of the actual painting.

(c) Deborah Ann Kirkeeide

Beginnings

Acrylic on stretched canvas - 12x16 inches, contact me if interested

This is more an imaginative painting where I explored drips and splatters in the background.  The bird nest had fallen from under my deck with blue eggs scattered around, there were at least 6 to 8 eggs laying in front of the nest.  No wonder the nest fell, the birds were definitely over achievers!  I felt bad for the robins but it was a great photo opportunity for me.  After dripping and playing with the background I notice a bird shape appear in the upper righthand corner and added some soft detail to enhance it.  Mom or Dad robin will always be watching over their nest.

(c) Deborah Ann Kirkeeide

Rum River Reflections

Click Here To Buy It Now - $100, Acrylic on Museum gessobord panel

Painted on location, this is a typical Minnesota summer scene, you know land of 10,000 lakes and who knows how many rivers.  It's all about the water here in the summer so I loved the pontoon sitting at the dock waiting for a fun cruise.  It was an overcast day but the reflections in the water were great.

Due to the limitation and inconsistencies of various display monitors, the colors you see on your screen may not be a totally accurate reproduction of the actual painting.


(c) Deborah Ann Kirkeeide

Dancing Boots

Sold - Acrylic on museum gessobord panel, 6x6 inches

Who wouldn't want some pink dancing boots?  I want some!  My brother's little neighbor loved posing for me, she loved her boots and I loved painting them.



(c) Deborah Ann Kirkeeide

Crossing The Headwaters

Not For Sale - Acrylic on gessobord, 8x10 inches

I painted this for my Grandson who is walking across the headwaters of the Mississippi with his Grampa.  Fun day, great memories!  He's 18 now and in the army, it's true how time flies!

Due to the limitation and inconsistencies of various display monitors, the colors you see on your screen may not be a totally accurate reproduction of the actual painting.


(c) Deborah Ann Kirkeeide

Friend Reflections

Not For Sale - Oil on museum gessobord panel, 8x10 inches

We spent a lot of time at the beach in northern California when I visited my daughter a few years ago.  She was totally embarrassed when I took photos of people unaware so I promised to get permission.  This man with his dog was very obliging, he even asked what I wanted him to do, which of course was just to be himself.  The people at the beach were nice and not suspicious of me, maybe because there are a lot of artists and art communities in the area.  I think California would be a very cool place to live, if I could afford it. 


Due to the limitation and inconsistencies of various display monitors, the colors you see on your screen may not be a totally accurate reproduction of the actual painting.


(c) Deborah Ann Kirkeeide

Passing Storm

Click Here To Buy It Now - $100, acrylic on linen panel, 8x8 inches

A few weeks ago I was meeting some people to paint at an outdoor theater where a concert was going on.  These huge clouds were rolling in and I thought for sure we would get rained out.  I sat on a small hill with the theater behind me and found this great view.  I love the movement going on in this little painting, maybe it was due to the music and the storm rolling through or I was just in a hurry to finish before the rain started.  What ever the reason I love the feel of this little painting.

Due to the limitation and inconsistencies of various display monitors, the colors you see on your screen may not be a totally accurate reproduction of the actual painting.


(c) Deborah Ann Kirkeeide

Plein Air Painting 2018

I've been enjoying some plein air (on location) painting this summer.  Above at an Art Festival where it was so hot I thought I'd die.  Below I'm painting with Acrylics which turned out not to be a problem due to finding Masterson's Stay-Wet Handy Palettes which fit perfect in my plein air easel box.  They are super for keeping your acrylics from drying out and then I clean them up so they don't mold. I have tried freezing my left over paint which works but paint gets runny.

Birthday Bouquet

Click Here To Buy It Now - $400, Acrylic on museum gessobord panel, 9x12 inches

When I receive flowers I have a hard time not painting them and this birthday bouquet was hard to resist.  Because flowers are so short lived I feel good about capturing them with paint, allowing them to live a little longer.

Due to the limitation and inconsistencies of various display monitors, the colors you see on your screen may not be a totally accurate reproduction of the actual painting.


(c) Deborah Ann Kirkeeide

Serenity Garden

Click Here To Buy It Now - $150, Acrylic on museum gessobord, 6x6 inches

I was invited to paint in a friends garden, it was a beautiful day, the yard filled with lovely gardens and statues.  It's hard to capture the color of some flowers and the purple ones were gorgeous but difficult to render the correct color.  I came close and once I popped the background orange in, the painting came to life.

Due to the limitation and inconsistencies of various display monitors, the colors you see on your screen may not be a totally accurate reproduction of the actual painting.


(c) Deborah Ann Kirkeeide

Once Upon a Time

Click Here To Buy It Now - $150, Acrylic on museum gessobord panel, 6x6 inches

This is another plein air painting done on site at an antique shop.  The shop had a yard out front and this little red wagon was sitting in a garden.  I loved the rust on the sides and it's fun thinking of all the children that played and took rides in the little red wagon once upon a time.

Due to the limitation and inconsistencies of various display monitors, the colors you see on your screen may not be a totally accurate reproduction of the actual painting.


(c) Deborah Ann Kirkeeide

Old Friends

Click Here To Buy It Now - $200, Acrylic on Museum gessobord panel, 8x10 inches

More vintage vehicles from the old car yard in Kingman Arizona.  Again I'm exploring acrylics by using drips.  Someone told me that this painting looked as though the viewer was looking through a dirty car windshield, I like that image.

Due to the limitation and inconsistencies of various display monitors, the colors you see on your screen may not be a totally accurate reproduction of the actual painting.


(c) Deborah Ann Kirkeeide

Retired

Click Here To Buy It Now - $200, oil on museum gessobord panel, 8x8 inches

I found this great old car yard in Kingman Arizona when traveling and the owners graciously allowed me to walk around photographing these vehicles from another era.  I will be painting and posting more of these soon.

Due to the limitation and inconsistencies of various display monitors, the colors you see on your screen may not be a totally accurate reproduction of the actual painting.


(c) Deborah Ann Kirkeeide

Once Was a Town

Click Here To Buy It Now - $200, Acrylic on linen panel, 8x10 inches

On one of my travels out west there was this cool ghost town, unfortunately it was not open to the public at the time.  I skirted around the fence taking as many photos as possible and so sad I couldn't see more.  I love working with drips you can create in acrylics, they especially lend themselves to old or vintage subject matter.  

Due to the limitation and inconsistencies of various display monitors, the colors you see on your screen may not be a totally accurate reproduction of the actual painting.


(c) Deborah Ann Kirkeeide

Mixed Media Workshop

I just finished helping teach an 8 week mixed media class with my teacher friend Maryleah at the Rum River Art Center in Anoka MN.  We had a fun time playing with paint, print making, collage, papers, mediums and discovering new creative friends. The photo to the left is a clipping from the Anoka County Union Harold newspaper.

It's always a little sad when a workshop is over and those people you've drawn close to head out the door for the last time.  It's also exciting to see how they've grown, learned new things and are excited to keep creating. 

More photos of the class below.

       

Riverside Willows

Sold - Acrylic on linen panel, 8x10 inches

My first plein air painting working with acrylics!  I love my Masterson Stay Wet Palettes, they make all the difference in keeping the acrylics from drying up on the palette.  Plein air painting is a challenge and this day I was so cold my teeth were chattering, towards the end I could hardly keep my hand from shaking to lay paint.  Yesterday's plein air painting I was wearing capris and sandals, crazy spring weather!

Due to the limitation and inconsistencies of various display monitors, the colors you see on your screen may not be a totally accurate reproduction of the actual painting.


(c) Deborah Ann Kirkeeide

The Perfect Spot

Click Here To Buy It Now - $200, acrylic on gessobord, 6x8 inches

Visiting California a few years ago I ran across a group of plein air painters on the beach, how my heart longed to be painting with them.  This gal was very friendly, allowing me to chat and take photos then I just sat among them soaking up the sun and creative vibes.  Now that the weather is improving I will be out there soon with easel, umbrella, birds, sun and breezes - can't wait!

Due to the limitation and inconsistencies of various display monitors, the colors you see on your screen may not be a totally accurate reproduction of the actual painting but I work to get the best likeness possible.

(c) Deborah Ann Kirkeeide

Lakeside Snack

Not For Sale - Acrylic on linen panel, 8x8 inches

I painted this for an art competition with the theme "Artists In Flight".  I went searching through my photos of birds with no luck then remembered a trip with my daughter and grandchildren years before when they fed the gulls.  I took elements from several photos to come up with this composition then experimented with a red underpainting.  The lake is actually Lake Superior in Duluth MN which really feels like being at the ocean, even has a lighthouse.  I loved the expression on my grandson's face, he was mesmerized watching the gulls.  

Due to the limitation and inconsistencies of various display monitors, the colors you see on your screen may not be a totally accurate reproduction of the actual painting but I work to get the best likeness possible.

(c) Deborah Ann Kirkeeide

Valentine Bouquet

Click Here To Buy It Now - $300, acrylic on gessobord, 8x8 inches

Flowers from my hubby for Valentines Day!  I've been yearning to paint flowers again but a little afraid due to unsuccessful attempts from previous flower paintings.  Time is a good healer, allowing me to forget past failures.  I love the leaf shapes in this bouquet, they were begging to be painted.

Due to the limitation and inconsistencies of various display monitors, the colors you see on your screen may not be a totally accurate reproduction of the actual painting but I work to get the best likeness possible.

(c) Deborah Ann Kirkeeide

A Place To Sit

Click Here To Buy It Now - $300, Acrylic on gessobord, 8x10 inches

I am yearning for summer but it was the shapes from the house and umbrella that caught my interest.  The photo reference is from a friends patio a few years ago; it had a big dark planter behind the table that ruined the cool shape on the house so I removed it.  Creative license is so great!  Anyway I had fun with this, and looking forward to sitting in a warm place again to soak up the sun.

Due to the limitation and inconsistencies of various display monitors, the colors you see on your screen may not be a totally accurate reproduction of the actual painting but I work to get the best likeness possible.

(c) Deborah A. Kirkeeide

Winter plein air painting in MN

Yes I really did paint outdoors this February morning with my plein air group from the Rum River Art Center (Anoka, MN) using my oil paints.  Not sure of the temp but it was in the teens; the high for today will only be 28 degrees with snow coming in late afternoon.  It was calm out, no frigid wind blowing to make it intolerable.  We dressed warm and had a building we could warm up in.  It was great fun and only my toes complained a bit about the cold, otherwise no problems except trying to open tubes of paint with gloved hands.  Now I can say I've painted outdoors in a Minnesota winter, I'm truly a plein air painter!  I even like my little painting. 


(c) Deborah Ann Kirkeeide

Succulence

Click Here To Buy It Now - $300, acrylic on linen panel, 8x8 inches

This is one of the paintings where I experimented with high flow acrylics for an under painting (see below).  I used the high flow acrylics as a washy value study which turned out pretty fun all by itself. I tried to save some of that cool drippy texture in the completed painting leaving the background very sketchy.  I learned a bunch from this experiment and hope to incorporate and continue to work with the high flow washes and drips.  My other under painting did not turn out so good in fact it will be a do over.  It turned out dark and for some reason in a much tighter style but that failure led to my success with Succulence. So which do you prefer, the completed painting or the under study wash?

Due to the limitation and inconsistencies of various display monitors, the colors you see on your screen may not be a totally accurate reproduction of the actual painting but I work to get the best likeness possible.

(c) Deborah A. Kirkeeide

Just Grapes

Click Here To Buy It Now - $100, acrylic, 6x6 inches

I had the urge to paint one day but no idea what to paint and no inspiration.  I wanted to paint something simple to get back into painting after my long absence.  Fruit can be a good choice but I only had some left over grapes and nothing else inspired me.  I wondered what to paint with the grapes and going with the simple idea I thought, why not just grapes.  And there you have it, "Just Grapes".   Grapes are super amazing with all their subtle color and highlights and this bunch had really cool stems.  I will have to try green grapes one day.

Due to the limitation and inconsistencies of various display monitors, the colors you see on your screen may not be a totally accurate reproduction of the actual painting but I work to get the best likeness possible.

(c) Deborah A. Kirkeeide

Fun with acrylic under paintings!

I'm back painting again after being sick through December and then on vacation in California.  I'm excited to be experimenting with acrylics and getting better acquainted with them.  In the two sketches above I've used High Flow Acrylics by Golden to create under paintings.  The colors from the High Flow Acrylics are so vibrant and gorgeous.  I have no idea where I'm going with these but that's half the fun.  In the top sketch I just wanted to identify where the lights and darks were to create structure.  Now that I've laid the foundation I'm ready to get going.  Layering is part of the beauty of acrylics and a totally different approach compared to the Alla Prima oil painting technique I love.  I'm not sure how I will like the finished work with these under paintings but I will keep you posted on the results.  Oh I'm also experimenting with linen panels for my paint surface and so far so good.

(c) Deborah A. Kirkeeide