Click Here For More Info: $125, 6x6 inches, acrylic on watercolor paper
Who could resist a great photo reference like this (another from pixabay.com)? I couldn't, it represents everything, good memories of a simple life, grandchildren, pets and sunshine. I'm working to loosen up and let details go, just simplify which isn't as easy as it sounds.
A black gesso ground was applied to the watercolor paper before painting.
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©
Click Here For More Info: $125, 8x8 inches, acrylic on Ampersand Gessobord
Summer of 2022 I had the best time drawing and photographing four alpacas at a week long drawing camp through Rumriver art Center. We were allowed to go into the enclosure for an up and close encounter with these four great guys. We had to be careful because they would spit at each other competing for treats. There was also a Momma cat looking for attention after delivering a litter of kittens. I threw in an extra cat for fun.
I debated painting this photo for a long time, fear of failure is usually the culprit. The alpacas had just been shaved and looked a little scrawny but this pose was calling to be captured in paint.
Be aware there can be some differences in color due to digital images and monitors but I try hard to get as close as possible.
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©
NFS, 6x8 inches, Acrylic on a linen panel
I painted this awhile back from another pixabay.com photo reference. Something bothered me about the painting so it was never posted. I never planned to work on it again but one day the problem suddenly emerged, a bothersome tail. So tail fixed and it's ready to find a home.
This has been a summer exploring hand built ceramic pottery. Feels so good to be challenging myself in a new creative way. That said it's also been frustrating, working with clay is a lot harder than it looks and is taking me ages to finish projects. So I'm taking a break from painting for the moment enjoying some 3D creations.
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©
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 ©
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 ©
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 ©
Click Here For More Info - $125, 6x6 inches, acrylic on 1/8 inch ampersand gessobord
I painted this in 2019 before my world went crazy and then forgot about posting so now its out in time for Christmas. Hard to believe the holidays are almost upon us.
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©
Click Here For More Info: $125, 6x8 inches, Acrylic on Ampersand Gessobord
This painting made me think up a little story: A grandchild races in the house for a visit with grandma as parents follow behind. The grandchild views a table and with eyes wide comments to the parents, "See grandma hasn't lost her marbles, they are right here!" I'm a grandma and I still have all my marbles at the moment. My mother suffered from dementia late in life and so did her mother. Perhaps I will loose my marbles some day but at the moment they are right here. It's also a reminder to enjoy each and every day.
Last of my flower paintings for now, maybe some peonies as they bloom but that's a ways off. This was a new experience for me to paint four similar paintings using mostly the same still life subject matter and rearranging it. I note this because I did not get bored. Thats a milestone!
Enjoy your day!
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright
Click Here For More Info: $125, 6x8 inches, Acrylic on 1/8" Ampersand Gessobord
These pastel type colors are fun to work with, so much that I may continue to incorporate them. I continually get distracted with new ideas so who knows what the future will hold. Just to point out I've completed three flower paintings in a row without getting bored, now that's a track record for me. Keeping the inspiration flowing by trying new things is the trick.
I'm beginning to feel the pull for mixed media however so there you go more distraction. Is it a distraction or more of the learning process? I'm a forever student.
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright
Click Here For More Info: $125, 5x7 inches, Acrylic on 1/8" Ampersand Gessobord
I'm really loving the pastels, usually my paintings are all about bright color, this is a nice change. Most artists would understand the title but for those with little art background it has to do with the color wheel. Pink and green (light green) are complimentary colors, they are opposite each other on the color wheel, they compliment each other. If you have another meaning for the title let me know I'd love to hear. One thing great about art work is it's a personal experience for the artist and the viewer.
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright
Click Here For More Information: $125, 6x6 inches, acrylic on 1/8" Ampersand Gessobord
Did you know you're supposed to eat two fruits a day? My husband told me so, plus 3 veggies a day. He always shares what he finds on the internet. So now you have met your daily fruit requirement. I'm just doing my part to keep you healthy and at your best. Seriously I couldn't think of a title for this painting until I remembered the two fruit requirement. Done with fruit moving on!
I really went loose this time around with the big one inch brush and I'm applying more paint. The smaller brushes are still in use for the little things, I'm trying to keep it that way for now.
Stay well!
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright
Caring for acrylic paintings or any paintings: keep them out of direct sunlight and the weather elements. Seems logical right? For an example my mother (who was an artist) towards the end of her life started hanging her paintings on a covered patio in Arizona. The patio had a misting system plus the desert temps provided high heat. Both caused the paint to peal away from the canvas. I understand she wanted to decorate her patio but not a good idea with original art work, use prints or ceramic pieces.
Click Here For More Information: $125, 6x6 inches, acrylic on 1/8" Ampersand Gessobord
Storks seem like acrobats to me, they have to be pretty good at aerial maneuvers for precision landings on those high up nests. From an art perspective the design elements in this photo were too hard to resist. I cropped the photo to concentrate on the one stork. It was fun seeing what the big one inch brush would do in small areas but I have to admit that I did bring in the smaller brush for some details.
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright
Click Here For More Information: $125, 6x8 inches, acrylic on canvas panel
The pears look like they are sitting in a sea of stripes, so it seemed Navigating Stripes was a good title. There's something about stripes and polka dots that add vibrancy. I rely on them a lot for inspiration.
I stopped varnishing my paintings, it seems to flatten the brush work which I work hard to incorporate. I use professional acrylics of good quality and they will last a long time if well cared for.
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright
Click Here For More Information - $125, 8x8 inches, acrylic on canvas panel
I hit a dry period. Maybe it's the COVID, maybe it's winter or a combination of both. Inspiration came by way of another artist who paints loose with big brushes, 1" and 2" flat brushes. It drew me back to the studio for a go at it. The first painting was a bust but I learned something and this one has a lot of energy.
Spring is on it's way, received my first COVID vaccination last week and I'm ready for normal. Much to be thankful for. And my drawing class ended this week, I will be posting some of their work soon.
Stay well!
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright
Click Here To Buy It Now - $125, 6x6 inches, Acrylic on Ampersand Gessobord
Today we have a foot of snow on the ground and the leaves are gone. Funny how fast the beauty of Autumn comes and goes. A few weeks ago at the height of color I took a walk finding and collecting many beautiful leaves but the most spectacular one for me was the green one in the painting. It had these amazing large purple veins that were so unique I had to try and capture it. Of course the painting doesn't do the leaf justice, even a photograph doesn't completely capture the beauty. I pressed the leaf along with a bunch of others hoping the colors will last for awhile to enjoy. Nature's paintbox is amazing!
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.
Thanks for visiting, stay safe.
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright
This is my third crabapple painting and to change it up I used a darker background which gave the crabapple a totally different look. It really influenced the crabapple color, using white to lighten the color made the crabapples fall flat. Discouragement set in so I put the painting away writing it off as a bad paint day. Finally yesterday and in a better mood, I tried working the crabapples again, why not, what did I have to loose. Repainting some with a light cadmium red a thought crossed my mind, what about using a bright orange highlight? Bingo, the crabapples finally popped. I have so much to learn!
Think of how bored we would all be if we didn't have anything else to learn or challenge us. Maybe I just need to think of these little paintings as experiments so discouragement doesn't set in when one fails. We learn from failures, probably more than when something goes right.
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.
Stay safe everyone, Covid has not been tamed yet.
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright
Click Here To Buy It Now - $125, 6x6 inches, Acrylic on Ampersand Gessobord
My crabapple branch made it for another painting! I could have cut another small branch except the tree is loosing all it's leaves. I love the great designs the branch and stems make. Yesterday I was ready to give up on this painting, the cup looked awful until the cup shadow was painted then it popped. This happens to me all the time and most the time it turns out. There are lots of failures too.
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
Fall is pumpkin time and I always paint a few pumpkins every year. I needed something to pull me back into painting again. This years bounty of tiny crabapples was plentiful, the branches on my tree are heavy with them, the blooms this spring were beautiful. I've wanted to paint the crabapples for a long time and pairing them with a pumpkin was a winning combo. Do the birds eat crabapples during the winter I wonder? It would be nice if they weren't wasted. If the branch survives maybe there will be another crabapple painting, the leaves are going fast.
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
