September 30, A Peacock

 Lots of transitions happening right now- keeping my heart open and my optimism as high as I can hold it- this peacock was visiting my sister, somewhere in Switzerland.  I had to paint it~

10x8 acrylic on panel

$165

click here~

LOLA Thank you!

 Ah, people!  I had such a great time this weekend at my studio!  Thank you so much everyone who made the treck all the way up the stairs and around to the back to see me! It is just always such a joy to invite people into my space-

I also did much better than I'd anticipated because several sweet people came and decided my work needed to go home with them- thank you!

And my friend Trish decided she could home my huge bear painting for me, so she came and brought him home during half time on Sunday!  Go Vikings!

I can't tell you how great it is to get one of my larger paintings out into the world... I LOVE painting big, but wrestling those canvases around can be tricky, and they are surprisingly delicate... it sucks when you accidentally punch a hole in something you've been working really hard on...

Just so you know, if you ARE interested in a larger piece, let me know because I am happy to work out a "relocation" discount!  Just saying...

Here's a few pics of the bear and Trish and me, and the bear in its new home!

Happy Bear! Four feet by three feet, so just fits into a SUV!

September 19, Another Commission

 This is a lovely wolf-dog rescue named Leeloo, whose owners met me at the Art-A-Whirl crawl in Northrup King earlier this year- I was so honored to be asked to paint this creature, whose humans were so clearly in love with her. 

That is the part of painting commissions that I am constantly awed by... I'm not sure that's grammatically correct, but that's how you can tell I wrote it myself... no AI used here, just heart! What I mean is that there is a grace in being invited into that love between owner and pet, I get to be a part of that love, even just on the barest edge of it, and it touches me so deeply. I feel like I can't quite say it right without sounding corny.

Being human is hard enough. Having animals helps us be better humans. My best job is to somehow illuminate and honor that love through my art. And sometimes I don't quite get it right! I appreciate it when a pet owner lets me know something is a little "off" in a portrait, and I know that can be hard, especially in Minnesota with our kindness to one another, but I do want you to have a painting that you will hang in your house and will love to look at for years to come. If something is wrong or just a bit strange, always let me (or any artist!) know so we can adjust it for you. I think anyone else would agree- the best advertising is when someone loves your work and tells others about it.

Whew! That was a lot!

Leeloo

September 16, Cha-Ka, A Commission

 It isn't too early to get your holiday commissions in to me!  I love it because it keeps me painting, my friends!  I do have stuff I'm working on, but having something to do for someone else keeps me on my toes and working, and that's part of the happy bit of pressure I need to keep working~

Think about it!  I can paint from just about any photo you have- this is a painting for Steph, who commissioned the piece for a friend who lives far away, and she gave me a choice of a few photos and I loved her story that went with this one, so I wanted to paint this!

And I'm so pleased with how it turned out~

The cat is so clearly in possession of the shoes...

I love that expression!

Oh and thank you everyone who came to Diamond's for the 30 Dogs Closing Party!  I'll be getting your paintings to you this week, everyone who couldn't make it~

Thanks all!

12x6 acrylic on panel

sold

Afternoon Reeds

Here's another one I'm working on, from Camp Mishawaka- there's just something about the light in the reeds, all those darks and lights, that I just get hooked on! Not sure if this one is done yet or not-  Duane liked it while I was working on it in our little cabin...

Wow, I do hope you were able to get out and enjoy the weather this weekend! It has been absolutely glorious in Minneapolis!  I went to the Minnesota Zoo by myself on Saturday and walked the Tree Top Trail for the first time- lots of familys ambling all over the place, and on Sunday  Duane and Max and I went to the State Fair. Unfortunately, we didn't leave as early as we'd intended and got there around 11, which meant it was a madhouse and we ended up driving all over to find a parking spot, and walked around 7 blocks just to get IN to the fair. We went in by the horse barns to a gate I didn't even know was there, and were rubbing elbows (literally!) with our fellow humans within minutes. It was SO packed! We managed to make our way to the Global Bazaar where I ate bison meatballs from the Midtown Global Market and Max found a alpaca poncho (and I found a gorgeous turquoise bracelet!) and the boys ate egg rolls, and then we wandered a few more places, having to track after Duane as he snaked his way through the masses of humanity. We finally escaped to the Sky Glider and rode almost all the way back to where we came in- whew!

And then YESTERDAY, we went to the Renaissance Festival!  This time we left around 8am and got there before the gates opened. A lot more space and less humanity, and we all had a great time! I love the way everyone talks and jokes around at the Renn fest...

So I hope you've had some fun too!

Still working on this one....