Beach scene exercise

 

6x8' acrylic on Ampersand Gessobord

This was a quick little exercise for me.  I had fun painting with my granddaughter who was visiting someone in Sicily and shared this view of the beach from the apartment balcony.  We painted together via FaceTime which works out great since she also lives in California.  Sometimes technology can be wonderful, it allows us to share and create together.  Other times you want to throw everything out the window.  And yes, I would rather have been sitting on that balcony! 

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©

Polka Dot Play

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

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 ©

Country Road

 

Click Here For More Info:  $135, 8x8 inches, acrylic on Ampersand gessobord

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 ©

Rum River Reflections

 

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 ©

Deliberation

 

 NFS

My very first completed abstract that I like!  Something is clicking finally.  The palette knives came out which belonged to my Mom and were new to me but they added the texture needed.  They made such a big difference and guided me through the process.  Working with thicker paint, letting go of edges and just plain letting go was a great eye opener.  So much more fun than representational subject matter.  I'm moving forward with more abstracts!

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©

Summer Wheels

 

Click Here For More Info: $250, 9x12 inches, acrylic on 1/8" Ampersand gessobord

Yay summer!  Riding my bike again is one of summers pleasures.  Thanks pixabay.com for this bright and cheery photo reference.  Just on a note, there is more orange in the painting than you see here.  

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 ©

Curiosity and the Cats

 

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 ©

Extreme Encounter

 Click Here For More Info - $200, 8x8 inches, Acrylic on 1/8" Ampersand gessobord

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 ©

What's Up?

 

Click Here For More Info - $100, 6x6 inches Acrylic on Ampersand gessobord

So what do you do with left over paint?  Left over paint always bothers me, I just can't waste it.  I've been making prints of my palette lately but you can only have so many of those.  Using left over paint to tone panels works great also.  This time it worked to do another painting and What's Up was created.  This little goldfish looks like its on its way up, maybe there's food or a friend, or maybe it's just touring its world.  

I use professional heavy body acrylics and Ampersand gessobord is an acid free museum series panel.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©

A Place To Rest

 

Original 8x8 inch acrylic painting on Ampersand Gessobord.  It took me over a year to find the courage to paint this photo reference.  This is one of those places where I long to live or even be able to visit.  I can just imagine sitting by the river with my paint and easel watching the geese with maybe a rowboat passing by.  The photo reference was found on pixabay.com and I should have taken note of the location.  My first attempt at painting this piece was not meeting my expectations.  Using my iPhone and taking a photo of the piece in progress always helps identify issues, so after reworking several areas I'm at peace.  Which is what I want this painting to reflect.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©

The Yellow House

 This is a little 6x8" original acrylic painting on Ampersand gesso board that I finished recently.  I used a great photo reference from pixabay.com.  The orangish color is actually more of a pinky orange, funny how some colors don't translate very well but I love the captured light.  What a grand adventure it would be to visit this place and paint.  

In May when I get my Daily Paintworks gallery up and running, I will post this for sale.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©

A Piece Of Beach

 

Click Here For More Info:  $120, 6x6 inches, acrylic on 1/8" Ampersand Gessobord

I experimented painting this four times (see previous post) changing colors, adding a horizon line in some and using different background tones.  This ended up being my favorite.  The photo reference was cropped from a much larger photo from pixabay.com with a huge beach scene including two cruise ships in the background.  

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 ©

Conjunto

 

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 ©

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 ©

Sometimes You Need A Duck

 

Click Here For More Info:  $300, 6x6 inches, acrylic on 1/8"Ampersand Gessobord

Looking for inspiration at a local lake beach last summer I spied this little guy.  He was far away and headed for the beach so I had to click fast before someone else blocked my view or he made it out of the water.  Fortunately the photo, though blurry, turned out great.  Sometimes the simplest things can bring a lot of joy, sometimes you just need a duck and maybe for me a bit of luck.  (Couldn't help the pun.)

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

Deborah Ann 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 © 

Banjo Man

 

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

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 ©

All Ears

 

Click Here For More Info:  $130, 6x6 inches, 1/8" acrylic on Ampersand Gessobord

This is Guttorm and I truly believe he smiles.  My dog Niki learned to smile and greeted me with one everyday when returning from work.  This is another of the Boys from my week with the alpacas, you can read the write up on my blog.  Guttorm is a social butterfly or maybe it was just the treats we carried to entice the group.  Alpacas are so dang cute!

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide © 

Surprise!

 

Click Here For More Info:  $150, 6x6 inches, acrylic on 1/8" Ampersand Gessobord

This is Boris from my week of alpaca drawing and photographing.  See my blog write up and photos of my alpaca week.  It was such a fun experience and so lucky to have the opportunity to see alpacas up close and personal.  This painting is from my favorite photo of the boys, there were four male alpacas all with different personalities.  I felt compelled to paint in a loose fun style to match the expression.  

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide © 

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 ©