Painting Break

I've been taking a painting break for a few reasons, number one, I needed one and then there was planning for my virtual drawing class through Rumriver Art Center Anoka MN along with family stuff.  It's a good thing I'm involved in teaching drawing as it keeps my observation skills sharp when the inspiration to paint fades.  So the drawing class started on Monday September 21st, it's going to keep me on my toes and  I love mingling with the students.  So tired of being disconnected!  

Head Over Heals Cute

 

This is not for sale, I painted this per a request from my daughter.  This is her families very beloved Shih Tzu (Shitzu?), Aryana who is in the winter of her life.  I've painted her before for my granddaughter.  I wasn't excited about the photo my daughter sent me but it was one of her favorites.  I played around with the photo in Photo Shop Elements to get rid of the bandit eyes which helped, (see the photo below).  I'm curious if my daughter will see this post as she doesn't know that it's painted.  She never visits my blog so it's probably safe, lol.

Pepper Party

 

Click Here To Buy It Now - $100, 6x8 inches, acrylic on 1/4" Ampersand gessobord

My husband grew the most beautiful mini sweet orange peppers this summer.  They were perfect, so sweet and prolific.  They are slowing down now due to the cooler weather, it will be hard to say goodbye to them.  I was hoping to do another pepper painting, time is running short however and I've been busy planning my Zoom drawing class.  This painting is bright, cheerful and bold, it would be fun to do as a large piece.

Our continued issue with internet problems seem to have been resolved for the moment.  My wireless printer is up and running, the speed problem was fixed, and I bought a newer version of Photo Shop Elements (and it's working, yay!).  It's been over a month of one problem after another and the whole reason why I don't like changes.  Technology is wonderful when it's working but a major bummer when it's not.  

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright

Please Pass The Tomatoes

 

Click Here To Buy It Now - $100, 5x7 inches, acrylic on Ampersand gessobord

Another painting from almost a month ago when I was enjoying the first tomato harvests and going through Internet nightmare.  I had a hard time with the title for this one as the three tomatoes look like they are witnesses to the one tomato on the plate chopping block, "The Witnesses" was all I could think of.  I hope this doesn't ruin the enjoyment of the painting for you that's why another title was needed.  So to put a positive spin on the painting I focused on the pleasure of meal time.

In case you haven't read some of my other blog posts, we lost our internet for a whole month.  I can't tell you how many hours I spent on the phone to our old service (that canceled us due to leaving our area) and the new service we were signing up with.  And I'm still working to get my printer working.  I spent another hour on the phone yesterday trying to solve that problem which turns out to be the new router.  Then I downloaded the new working system on my computer and I can't open my Photoshop Elements any more, which probably means the old app isn't supported by the new system.  Arrrrgh!  The story is endless.  Do you have to be a computer technician now-a-days?  So frustrating, I just want to spend time creating, life is short.  

Stay safe!  Sorry for complaining, maybe I just needed to vent.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright

Finally Tomatoes

 

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

We grew our own tomatoes this summer, first time in years, and I was so excited when the first ones ripened.  These are some of those first tomatoes, they were beautiful and tasted wonderful.  It's a reminder of the many blessings that surround us everyday.  Now it's many BLT's later, the tomatoes are slowing down and looking a bit worn due to heat and wind.  But my mini orange sweet peppers are still charging along and you will see them soon.

My acrylic paintings are protected by an acrylic satin varnish and I use professional acrylic paints: Winsor Newton, Liquitex and Utrecht.  The Ampersand gessobord's are a museum series panel which are acid free, archival.  All my paintings are signed, dated with the paintings information on the back.

Please Note, the Click Here To Buy It Now link will take you to Daily Paintworks where you can purchase the painting if you want otherwise you are not committed.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright

 

Virtual Drawing Class

I will be teaching a virtual drawing class beginning September 21, 2020 through the Rumriver Art Center Anoka MN.  You can find more information and register on their website at https://rumriverart.com, then click on this link -  Vitality Arts Older Adults 8 Week Courses.  You don't have to be an older adult as long as you are 16 or older.  I've been teaching an hour long virtual drawing class a few times a month all summer.  It was so nerve racking when I started, let's just say it's a work in progress with the nerves.  There are plus and minuses with virtual classes, the plus side:  students can see your drawings step by step and follow along, safety from the virus, no driving in the cold and snow,  you can live anywhere and be included in the class, you can work in your PJ's and you don't even have to brush your teeth!  The down side for me is the social contact, walking around the class talking with students, seeing their work and giving individual tips and advise.  I'm working on the last part and will be encouraging students to email their drawings for advise and comments.  Also I just found out there are chat rooms, woah so many things to learn.  It will be a fun journey, I'm excited! 

Cupcake Sundae

 

Click Here Now To Buy - $100, 6x6 inches, Acrylic on Ampersand gessobord

Being a cake lover I was inspired to paint a fun dessert especially since there were cherries available.  I baked some cupcakes, cut them in half and layered them with frosting.  I had no food coloring so creativity kicked in and using mashed up cherries the bottom layers of frosting became a nice pink.  There were worries the whole thing would topple over while painting but it made it to the end after a few scary moments during set up.  Yes it was gobbled up by myself and husband, nice to have a reward after painting.

My acrylic paintings are protected by an acrylic satin varnish and I use professional acrylic paints: Winsor Newton, Liquitex and Utrecht.  The Ampersand gessobord's are a museum series panel which are acid free, archival.  All my paintings are signed and dated with the paintings information on the back.

Please Note, the "Click Here To Buy It Now link" will take you to Daily Paintworks where you can purchase the painting if you want, otherwise you are not committed.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright

Cherry Cup

 

Click Here To Buy It Now - $100, 6x6 inches, Acrylic on Ampersand gessobord

Another painting from almost a month ago when I was having fun painting cherries and miseries with our internet service.  This is my favorite old tea cup that's been used a bunch of times in my paintings.  The dots with the cherries make a very cheerful painting don't you think?  (I could have said cheery painting but I decided not to push it.)

Hard to believe summer is almost over!  I'm still getting some vegetables from our garden which you will see soon in paintings.  And we still have many beautiful fall days ahead with nice weather.  Still it's hard to let go of summer, those long summer days how I love them.

My acrylic paintings are protected by an acrylic satin varnish and I use professional acrylic paints: Winsor Newton, Liquitex and Utrecht.  The Ampersand gessobord's are a museum series panel which are acid free, archival.  All my paintings are signed, dated with the paintings information on the back.

Please Note, the Click Here To Buy It Now link will take you to Daily Paintworks where you can purchase the painting if you want otherwise you are not committed.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright

Pile Of Cherries

 

Click Here To Buy It Now - $100, 6x6 inches, Acrylic on Ampersand gessobord

We lost our Internet for an entire month!  It's been a nightmare but I'm finally connected and will be entering some new paintings, some done a month ago like this one.  I've been trying some different brushes and liking the results.  My acrylic paintings are protected by an acrylic satin varnish and I use professional acrylic paints: Winsor Newton, Liquitex and Utrecht.  The Ampersand gessobord's are a museum series panel which are acid free, archival.  All my paintings are signed, dated with the paintings information on the back.

I feel like I've been gone forever even though I continue to paint.  Finally I'm able to purchase some much needed art supplies.  It's been particularly hard with the Covid 19 situation and trying to stay isolated and safe, we've been so dependent on the internet.  Makes you think.

One more thing, the Click Here To Buy It Now link will take you to Daily Paintworks where you can purchase the painting if you want otherwise you are not committed.

Continue to stay safe everyone, unfortunately this pandemic is not over yet.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright