Treasured Things

 

Click Here For More Info: $150, 6x8 inches, Acrylic on 1/8" Ampersand Gessobord

My Mom brought me this really pretty paper weight from her trip to London years ago.  Mom has since passed so it's a treasured memory and it's sparkly glass paired nicely with the delicate peony.  And yes I treasure everyone of my peony blooms in fact so much so that it took years for me to even cut a bouquet.  

I've been spending this week drawing alpacas at a drawing camp.  Getting to know four beautiful boy alpacas who were recently sheared of fluffy coats.  At first I thought darn wish I could have drawn them with the fur but now I realize it's great seeing their bone structure which gets totally obscured by fur.  I may post some of my drawings later and may even do a painting.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©   

A Delicate Subject

 

Click Here For More Info:  $200, 8x8 inches, acrylic on 1/8" Ampersand Gessobord

Returning from vacation I was happy to find more of the peonies still blooming!  Their beauty is so short lived but I managed to capture a few more.  I discovered something about them this time around, the younger blossoms will close at night to open again in the morning.  How did I never notice that after 30 some years!  One more to post and they are done until next spring.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©   

Subtle Inspirations

 

8x8 Inches, Acrylic on a linen panel

Turns out we had a vacation planned just as my peonies were blooming!  Fortunately I had just enough time to get this one painted before leaving so these are a couple of the first blooms, first blooms are always the largest.  The subtle tones and values of peonies are so hard for me to capture and I have to confess to almost ditching this painting half way through.  A few choice words were said, brushes almost thrown and thoughts of never painting again promised.  I took a break or two.  Funny thing happened when I stood back to look at the finished piece, not only did it come together somehow it's my favorite peony painting so far.  Maybe a little blood, sweat and threats help.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©

Hope

 

Click Here For More Info - $125, 6x6 inches, acrylic on linen panel

Spring again and peony bloom time, yay!  I'm always hoping I'll get a chance to paint peonies every spring, sometimes it doesn't work out.  But this painting is about a different kind of hope, hope for peace, hope for unity, hope for those going through hard times and the list goes on.  I just felt like someone out there needs some kind of hope so here's thinking of you.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©

Living On The Edge

 

Click Here For More Information - $125, 6x8 inches, acrylic on Ampersand gessobord

The photo reference is from my favorite place to hike, Wisconsin Interstate Park where there are these fabulous cliffs bordering the St. Croix river.  One side is Minnesota and the other Wisconsin.  The best place to hike is on the Wisconsin side where the trails are all along the cliff.  The rocks, the views, the trails with moss and mystery are right out of the Lord Of The Rings.  Best time to go is morning in the middle of the week and you have it all to yourself.  I'd like to live on this edge. 

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©