Colors Of Contentment

 

8x10 inches, acrylic on stretched canvas

For many years I've been obsessed with traveling to far away places with 2000 year old structures and cobblestone streets.  To walk places where my ancestors originated from, or where there are cultures and traditions I've never experienced.  Those desires have influenced my paintings lately as I've been experimenting with new techniques and allowing my imagination some breathing room to explore.  This painting started as drips and splatters, then allowed to be taken over by imagination, playing with negative spaces, color and design.  Its a place of contentment, a slower life surrounded and hidden by hills and mountains and amazing color.  Soon I will be traveling to some of those places and it will be interesting to compare my imagination to the reality.  Will I come home contented with my own reality having reached this goal?  Past experience has taught me, theres no place like home.

On another note the screen colors have dulled the yellow sky in this painting.  Unfortunately sometimes it's hard to get completely accurate colors but it's close.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide © 

The Guest

 

Click Here For More Info:  8x10 inches, acrylic on a cradled panel (Da Vinci pro panel)

Crow painting #3.  Using a palette knife is new for me, the process and textures are amazing.  Also it was a lot of fun experimenting with the background colors on this piece, just doing whatever in the moment.  Even though crows seem to be basically black there is much more color in their feathers than you think.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©

Grandma Time

 

My niece who is now a grandmother for the first time asked me to do a grandson painting for her.  She sent a couple of photos to choose from, this reference I knew in my heart was the best but the prospect overwhelmed me.  I had to pump up my confidence and really I thought what's the worst that could happen, a ruined  panel and a bruised ego.  Been there, done that.  Making some changes from the photo reference, I pumped up the color a bit and removed some clutter from the bottom with a few other minor changes.  The photo reference was beautiful telling such a sweet story.  Sometimes you have to put your big girl pants on and move forward, I'm glad I did.

Congrats to my niece, what a blessing to hold your new little one and show him the world.

Deborah A. Kirkeeide ©

Waiting For A Breeze

 

Click Here For More Info:  $250, 8x10 inches, acrylic on 1/8" Ampersand Gessobord

Passing through pixabay.com this photo reference caught my eye.  Those long stems created all this lovely negative space which is so fun to paint.  Crazy the things that inspire me, and you, others may pass by this same photo and not give it a second glance.  Although these dandy's make a fun painting, a single breeze however will release thousands of seeds looking for a nice watered lawn.

I use professional acrylic paints in all my acrylic paintings for permanence and longevity.  Ampersand Gessobord has a professional quality acid-free acrylic ground on a wood museum series panel.

Deborah A. Kirkeeide ©

Elephant Express

 

Click Here For More Info:  $150, 8x10 inches, acrylic on 1/8" Ampersand Gessobord

I've had this little kewpie doll (along with her sister) for years but packed away.  Going through stuff I found them and decided to try adding one to a painting.  I spent hours and days, along with many photos figuring out the set up, which took longer than the painting (lol).  This little girl looks like she is out for an adventure after all those years cooped up in a box, we have a lot in common I think.  So all aboard for the Elephant Express, may your imagination take you to amazing places! 

I use professional acrylic paints in all my acrylic paintings for permanence and longevity.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide © 

Uncontained

 

Uncontained seems appropriate for my new mixed media piece.  There really are no limits when you work with mixed media however you still strive for good design and composition.  That's always been a problem for me working with abstracts so I decided to get help by taking a virtual workshop with Karen Knutson.  She has amazing design skills and I'm beginning to get an understanding or feel for abstracts.  They are super hard for me so it's challenging, I spend way more time creating abstracts than my representational pieces.  It may look like I just threw a bunch of stuff on a board and walked away but each collage piece and pen work was very intentional.  I've got three more pieces started it will be fun to see where they go, even if they fail I will have learned something and moved farther along.  Still working to loosen up!

This painting is 8x10 inches and a combination of watercolor, collage and pen.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©

Hangin At LaBoutique

 

Click Here For More Information - 8x10 inches, Acrylic on Ampersand Gessobord

I miss shopping!  The experience of touching fabrics, trying clothes on and just wandering around for anything that grabs your eye.  Oh and grabbing some fast food or lunch out is part of the experience.   The internet is great but it can't replace "real" shopping.  For all you ladies (and men too) feeling the same way here's an image for you to enjoy.  This is number three in my hangin series.  I hope boutiques can find a way to stay in business!

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.

We are continuing to be careful and stay isolated as much as possible during COVID.  Please be careful out there, things will get better so be patient. 

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright

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.

Ladies Tea

Contact the artist if interested in purchasing - Acrylic, 8x10 on gessobord

Maybe I can get one more in my blog before it goes away!  I just finished this painting.  I've been wanting to paint an interior, especially one with light coming through windows.  A group of my artist friends celebrated someones birthday at this fun restaurant called "Mad Hatter's Cafe" close by.  They do a lot of tea parties.  I ran around snapping photos catching these two ladies having a tea party.  I had so much fun painting it that I will try another but larger. 

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide (c)

Captured

On Hold - Acrylic on gessobord, 8x10 inches

I got lucky when capturing this gal taking the photo of these horses at a craft fair!  The expression from the horse indicates the lady has invaded his space, like Whoa lady back off.  These beautiful BIG work horses were giving wagon rides and they were really mild mannered, the lady must have rushed at them to get a quick shot.  Anyway I love the story in the painting. 

As the google blog is going away soon, this probably will be my last post!  I will however continue to be on Daily Paintworks so visit me there.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide (c)

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

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

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

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

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

For Sale

Click Here To Buy It Now - $250, Acrylic on canvas panel, 8x10 inches

I took the reference photo for this painting years ago at an antique store.  These chairs were sitting just outside the door, I loved the light, shadows and all those spindles.  I could never figure out how to paint the scene until recently and for some unknown reason it just came to me.  Funny how that works, maybe it was just getting over my fears but I'm happy with the results.  I have some other chair photos, maybe time for another series.

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

Antique Ride #1

Click Here To Buy It Now - $400, oil on gessobord, 8x10 inches

I found this antique car on one of my walks while visiting my brother in Colorado.  It was beautifully restored and just begging to be painted.  I wanted to look inside but figured that might make the owner nervous cause I spent a bit of time wandering around the car and taking photos from different views.  Speaking of different views, I painted another more foreshortened view soon to be posted. 

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

Desert Jewel

Click Here To Buy It Now - $400, oil on gessobord, 8x10 inches

Saguaro Cactus are majestic and walking through a forest of them is magical.  I grew up in the Arizona desert, climbing boulders, picnics in dry washes, floating down the Verde River on tubes; the desert was my playground and I love it.  So when visiting my sister in Arizona last winter I saw this lovely saguaro on a small hill, the early morning sun making it shine like a jewel in the desert.  Some people have a hard time appreciating the beauty of the desert but for me it's home and there is beauty everywhere.

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

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/deborah-ann-kirkeeide/desert-jewel/620651

Summer Lunch

Contact the artist if interested in purchasing, oil on gessobord, 8x10 inches

I'm finally posting this painting completed this past spring using a reference photo from a few years ago.  I did the painting then traveled to California to spend time with my daughter and grandkiddos.  Life gets busy in the summer, so much to do and see.  That's what I love about this painting, everyone in Minnesota lives outside in the summer and "Summer Lunch" is a little snap shot of that life.  Us Minnesotan's, like anyone living in the cold winter climates, get out and soak up as much sun as possible in our short summers.  Fishing, camping, festivals, parks, biking, walking, gardening, so much to do, so little time!  Oh and the MN State Fair is coming, I hope to get another painting in this year, wish me luck.

Due to the limitations 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