My favorite artist was playing with some polka dot paintings so I was eager to try. Couldn't this be a still life in Minnie Mouse's house? All those bright colors and dots! The 50's were a great time for polka dots, they just say have fun.
This painting is varnished and ready to go!
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©
Crow #4. I painted this piece without the ribbon and felt something was missing. Doing a little research I discovered some interesting stories about crows sometimes leaving gifts for people who feed them. Although those gifts are probably more like rocks or shells the ribbon made a better composition especially with the addition of the red. And who knows crows are fascinating creatures who can surprise us, even with a red ribbon.
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©
This started out as a landscape only and was painted a while back. Although I liked the painting it needed something to finish so it sat and sat. I thought maybe a cow in the field but that didn't feel right. Eventually other things grabbed my attention, holidays came and went then someone commissioned me to do a crow. The light bulb went off and the crows ended up being the perfect something. Did you know that a group of crows is called a murder of crows? I think it might have to do with superstitions but check it out.
I use professional heavy body acrylics and Ampersand gessobord is an acid free museum series panel.
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©
Click Here For Info: $135, 8x8 inches, acrylic on Ampersand gessobord
I stumbled across this painting the other day which I never posted because in my opinion wasn't good enough. It brought back memories of my awesome artist friend, teacher and mentor Paul Boecher who we recently lost. He was always a source of encouragement and inspiration with that "you can do it" spirit, and the first artist who encouraged me to paint plein air (outdoors). My heart is full with many memories of sitting next to him on the bank of a river. Thank you Paul for the confidence to say this painting is good enough.
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©
This photo reference was used in one of my drawing classes and it was always my goal to paint it someday. So it's off my to do list which I don't always accomplish, my to do list is way too long. Capturing light is always a fascinating subject.
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©
Lionfish are an extreme natural wonder, extreme in my opinion. It looks like an alien or it should be in a circus, I mean what a great outfit its adorned with. I think a costume like this has been done in sci-fi movies. But you don't want to get to close as it has a natural weapon with those spines. Anyway I needed some color and have been putting this project off for some time, (you can probably understand why) and this filled my desire for color.
I use professional heavy body acrylics and Ampersand gessobord is an acid free museum series panel.
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©
A little experiment and exercise with color and composition. I tried using different toned backgrounds, adding a horizon line and playing with different subject colors. The top left was my beginning point then ended up liking it best. It seems whenever I repeat painting the same subject, the first one is always best. The idea is to loosen up but instead the opposite happens to me . Funny how that works.
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©
Click Here For More Info: $350, 8x8 inches, acrylic on 1/8"Ampersand Gessobord
I never knew that Mariachi bands had accordion players. There is a style of music called Conjunto that features the accordion. Well learn something new everyday! I found a photo of a Mariachi band on pixabay.com and cropped it to create this composition. I love the visual interest of the accordion with all the keys, buttons and squeezebox area. I can't imagine being able to play it. And the happy sounds just make you want to dance. On a fun note, my brother when young played the accordion so maybe that's why I was drawn to the photo.
I use professional artist 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 Ann Kirkeeide ©
This painting is from my own reference photo taken years ago. I could never figure out how to make him come alive in paint so he waited for inspiration. Finally after years and inspiration from other artists, I was ready to tackle my banjo player, then came the alpaca week and another hold on the project. The alpaca paintings actually gave me more ideas for Banjo Man. Funny how that works.
I have an accordion player that needs to be painted so maybe thats next after a kitchen remodel. Looking forward to a new kitchen but not the mess and work involved. No painting for awhile I'm afraid.
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©
Click Here For More Info: $300, 8x8 inches, acrylic on Ampersand gessobord
Who isn't mesmerized watching fish in their watery home and who hasn't tried having a fish tank at least once? Or maybe a screen saver of an underwater world (very addictive). The painted version of an aquarium is much easier to take care of. This is another painting on black gesso and has been protected by an acrylic varnish.
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©
Click Here For More Info - $175, 8x8 inches, Acrylic on 1/8" Ampersand Gessobord
I was in the mood to paint white daisies, these are actually white daisy type mums but they worked. These little pastel vases were a Goodwill purchase some years back, they are favorites even with their tiny chips here and there. I needed a third something and the little bluish bottle worked. Now I have to find a third little vase in a pastel green. The cheery bright colors are my response to spring and maybe the world getting back to a new normal.
My eight week drawing class for April was canceled, I'm a little disappointed but gives me more time to paint. There is a virtual four week drawing class being offered as a substitute through Rumriver Art Center Anoka MN if anyone is interested. It won't be set up as a basic drawing class but a time to get together and draw step by step with me while including some drawing principles.
https://rumriverart.com/classes/virtual-art-classes/
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright
I needed some still life subjects, so these are no occasion flowers that brighten my studio. And the lily smells so good! I'm still working with the one inch brush and loving the look. I've been trying to let go of details concentrating on shapes and values, the larger brush has been a big help. Experimenting with different tools and techniques keeps me inspired. There is something about this painting that reminds me a little of Van Gogh's style, I think it's the flowy leaves.
Little over a week to get my second vaccination. Yahoo!
Keep well.
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
This photo reference (from Pixabay) was sitting on my desktop for weeks waiting to paint, the wait was almost unbearable. The patterns, shapes and colors drew me in, I found them irresistible. And there are those dots again! Whenever I start something with so much detail, halfway through I fuss at myself for the choice. But there's that inspiration which can't be ignored and drives me to paint.
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 1/8" thickness, a museum series panel which are acid free, archival. All my paintings are signed, dated with the paintings information on the back.
It's almost Christmas! May you find peace and joy this Christmas even when things aren't "normal". Maybe we have more time to reflect on the hope and promise this season brings.
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright
Click Here For More Information - 8x8 inches, acrylic on 1/8" Ampersand Gessobord
I keep looking for photo references that inspire me and I've been finding some fun ones on Pixabay. The photographer did a great job capturing the light, plus it had an umbrella! It was a challenge doing the water so Photoshop Elements helped break it down. I had some trouble with values on this painting, not sure why but adjustments were made and it's better.
My fall virtual drawing class wrapped up last week, a new one will start hopefully in January. I love teaching, sometimes I think maybe that should have been my career choice and so thankful that Rumriver Art Center in Anoka gave me the opportunity. In college I was young and full of dreams not making the best choices but I'm learning it's never to late plus I still get to paint! Maybe there will be some future postings of my students drawings.
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 1/8" thickness, a museum series panel which are acid free, archival. All my paintings are signed, dated with the paintings information on the back.
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright
Click Here For More Information - 8x8 inches, Acrylic on Ampersand Gessobord
This is the second painting in my "Hangin" series. There's a lot of nostalgia with images of clotheslines, I believe that's what drew me in, just a bit of remembering my childhood and happy times. Its nice to have a safe haven to return to during these uncertain days of the pandemic, riots and elections. This is a Pixabay image cropped and painted on black gesso.
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. The COVID is not gone yet so stay safe.
Deborah Ann Kirkeeide copyright
