Sisters

 

Click Here For More Info:  5 1/2" x 7 1/2" (an extra 1/4" around for matting), mixed media (acrylic and marker) on watercolor paper

Still having fun with mixed media while planning some new fall and winter classes I will be teaching.  These are a real departure from my other work and I probably spend more time painting them but they are fun, freeing and challenging.  They are sort of like taking a vacation. 

I did some fun sketches a few years back that I'm rediscovering.  My hopes were to do something with these sketches and this medium seems to be perfect.  I've been inspired by artist Karen Knutson who in turn is inspired by Gustav Klimt.  Gustav painted incorporating a bunch of small shapes to create a whole and the patterns are so interesting.  If you do a google search for Gustav you'll recognize his work.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright

Summer Song

 

5x7 inches, Mixed Media on watercolor paper

This has been a summer of new landscaping, interior remodeling with a bit of health issues mixed in.  With all of that going on it's been hard to find time to create.  I've been playing with more mixed media to keep inspired.  This one was put away for awhile because I wasn't sure where it was going, it needed connection to pull it together.  I found a napkin with these big spots, moved it around and realized it was the missing piece.  Then the name just came, the painting said this is a song of summer because summer is busy, loud, noisy, swirling with constant movement, joyful and almost chaotic.  Summer wakes up with a scream, it sings and makes the most of having the little time to be loose and free, at least in the midwest when nature sleeps so long.  I hope you are having a joyful chaotic summer!

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright

Mom Collage

 Ever since my Mom passed in 2013 I've been obsessed with creating art pieces, mostly mixed media, from old family photos of her image.  We have a lot of great photos of her, my Dad loved taking photos and his photos of Mom remind me of the pin up girls popular in the 40's, (I'll be trying some of those one day).

I feel closer to my Mom searching through these photos and capturing her image.  Even though I never knew the Mom child her personality shines through the photos and brings me to a closer understanding of who she was along with her many life stories she shared.  Maybe this is my way of bringing her back, or giving her extra love that I should have been more generous with.  Do I have to have a why?  My Mom was an artist, a painter, I hope she would be happy with these little pieces.  She was my greatest fan, I will always miss talking art with her.

In the two sisters piece my Mom is on the left in blue, bottom picture she has the white hair.  She only had one sister among four brothers and she loved her dearly.  The "Fly" piece is a face photo of Mom as she was embarking on a new adventure by moving to Arizona, I believe she was 16.  

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright