One Bunny

 

Having fun drawing with my drawing class this spring!  This was a fun photo reference I found on pixabay.com.  I gave the class an option to add flowers to the background and decorate the egg if they wanted.  I love giving options to students, it's an eye opener to see possibilities for creating.  

It's odd how my iPhone picks up and enhances the texture of the graphite.  I'm trying to figure out how to tone the texture down.  I've even taken the photo into Photo Shop Elements to edit.  Any ideas?

Happy Easter!

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©

Underwater Attraction

 

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 ©

Morning Get Away

 Click Here For More Info:  $130, 6x8 inches, Acrylic on linen panel

My first acrylic painting after a long break.  I think it would be so much fun having a little scooter, my neighbor has a red one she drives to work a few blocks away.  When I was a kid my parents owned a Tote Gote that my sister and me used to race around the desert with (grew up in AZ).  We had a blast!  Check out Tote Gotes on the internet.

The Vespa is a pixabay photo reference however the window in the photo didn't work so I Photo Shopped a new one with more interest and contrast.  Actually the window was taken from another one of my photos that I painted some years back so you may recognize it in my gallery.

Almost one week away from the start of my new class "Exploring Color With Mixed Media".  I'm pretty excited to share what I know about working with acrylics and color.  I'm not much about painting subdued color, you can see that by checking out my gallery on Daily Paintworks (link on the right).  That's just my personal preference and what inspires me.  Learning to mix and create color, just about any color is fundamental for those interested in painting.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©

"Exploring Color With Mixed Media" Virtual Class

 

I'll be teaching a new virtual class all about COLOR using acrylics and there is still time to sign up!  

Why the class - I see so many painters struggling with color mixing and end up with *mud or they are wanna be painters who are afraid to try as it seems overwhelming.  Painters sometimes think they need a 100 different tubes of paint to get the colors they want when all thats needed are the correct primary colors to achieve almost any color.  I will talk about and demo the primary colors used on my simple or limited palette.  There are three primary colors, red, yellow and blue but if you check out the paints in an art supply store you will be overwhelmed by all the different reds, yellows and blues available.  So how do you choose?  Knowing what these commercial colors are all about will help you create your own palette and color harmony and save you money.  

Besides color mixing the class will paint abstract backgrounds that will be completed using mixed media.  Paint, watercolor paper, a brush along with some collage materials will be provided in the class cost.  If you live out of town or state your supplies will be mailed to you but this is time sensitive as the class begins January 17, 2022.  A list of other supplies you provide will be sent to you.  If interested please hurry and sign up as we put the kits together for mailing soon.  Follow the link below:

https://rumriverart.com/classes/senior-classes/

Check out the other classes provided at Rumriver Art Center this winter and spring!  Some are virtual along with in person classes.  Lots of fun creative classes to choose from!

https://rumriverart.com/

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©

*Mud is a term I hear from frustrated painters disappointed with color mixing.  Sometimes you need mud colors but mixing those colors when applicable is the goal.

Pine Cone Party

 

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 ©

Entwined

 

Click Here For More Info - $200, 8x10 inch, mixed media on watercolor paper

Finally finished, it's been a long road to completion.  Reminds me of the Beatle song "The Long and Winding Road".  Lol, I'm reaching but I did finally decide on a title.  These abstracts take so much more time and energy however I'm happy with the results on this piece.  Happy endings always spur me forward yet there's still a question whether to continue with abstracts.

Deborah Ann Kirkeeide ©

Vines & Branches Continued

 

This is part of the ongoing project of three pieces started a few weeks ago where mask was applied first then paint and mask removed.  Now I have moved on to adding the collage pieces, you can see I've got this vine and branch kind of thing going on and it almost has an asian art feel to it.  I played with moving different pieces of collage around before gluing, it took me forever before envisioning something.  You can see that process below in the next photo.  It gave me a start and something to go by but it may move in a different direction, not sure at this point.  So the next step is to add a connecting paint layer in darks.  I started adding some pencil designs to the piece to help me along.  The title is only temporary making it easier to refer to.