The Evolution Of An Abstract In 4 Stages - "Abundance"

 

This is #4 the final of a recently completed abstract that took over a year before it felt done.  The other stages are posted below.  It was painted on a 16 x12 inch deep cradled canvas found lying about in my studio and using professional acrylic paint.  I had no plans just decided to slap paint around and work on it between projects using left over paint.  You can see below that the painting started out very different in the beginning (#1 below) and very little of the original remained in the final.  The first two stages were worked with brushes, the last two stages I brought out the palette knives and reworked.  The palette knives gave it life as I tend to get putsy with brushes.  Click on the images to enlarge.  Also it started out horizontal, during the process it was turned multiple times until it ended vertical.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©

Memories

12x12 inch acrylic on a Da Vinci Pro Panel (cradled panel).  This is another of my abstracted paintings finished awhile ago and I have another in the works.  The painting process begins with palette knives then switching back to brush work.  Its a very challenging and time consuming technique but keeps me away from perfectionism which weirdly allows for more freedom.  

Once I figure out how to mail a painting this size they will be offered for sale.  Fall of 2025 there will be a solo show of my work at Rumriver Art Center in Anoka where my new paintings will be displayed for sale.  So if you live in the area save the date September 13th 2025. 

I've discovered the problem with my blog, it doesn't like Safari any more, there seem to be no problems when working in Chrome.

 Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©

Spring Profusion

 

Another abstract:  12x12 inches, Acrylic on cradled panel

Experimenting and playing with new techniques and materials.  I'm loving the cradled panels, palette knives and Catalyst brushes.  The abstracts are finally becoming a joyful process.  I play with them for days seeing where they will go, where they will take me.  

This one has been entered in a local competition, fingers crossed it gets in.  I will not be disappointed if it's rejected, I believe it's one of my better pieces.

Onward!

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©

St. Croix Trail

 

Acrylic 12x12 inches, painted on a DaVinci cradled pro panel, a new panel for me.

This is painted using my photo reference from a favorite place to hike on the Wisconsin Minnesota border along the St. Croix river.  Tall cliffs, huge rocks and wonderful trails.  You can sit on the cliffs and watch the old time paddle boats go by filled with vacationers.  Great memories here with children and grandchildren.  I gifted this painting to my grandson for his recent wedding.

The panel is super smooth, no texture and the paint slips and slides along the surface letting the paint flow.  It almost felt like working with oil again.  And I'm trying some new brushes, Catalyst by Princeton Flats, they hold more paint and again more flow.  Loving them!  Always good to try new things because you never know what you might be missing. Thanks to Acrylic University for valuable tips and information.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©