Category: Paintings

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Dark Eyed Junco

The Dark Eyed Junco builds its nest on the ground or close to it. They kick around in the leaf litter looking for food. This little fella is a slate-colored Dark Eyed Junco and he is kicking around near some white Ghost Pipe flowers. I don’t know if he is as fascinated by them as I am but if he were he might be interested to know that the Ghost Pipe plant does not produce chlorophyll, it instead gets its energy from an underground fungi that gets energy from the roots of other plants. Ghost Pipe blooms in kind of hidden secret spots throughout the summer so it always is such a treat to find a patch. Now that fall is coming the plants are drying up, seeding out, and look like standing, dark, leaf litter.

This Dark Eyed Junco found a nice patch of Ghost Pipe. I imagine he exists during a warm, summer, day. Maybe during a time when all the other juncos and small birds are kicking around for seeds in the shady leaf litter too so the air is filled with chirps and cheeps of frenzied, satisfied, feathered friends.

You can have this little 4” x 6” snippet in time for your very own if you would like. It is a small acrylic on canvas panel painting which means it is perfect for propping in a window or on a counter top. It comes unframed so you can opt to frame it if you would like as well. $50 + $10 shipping. Purchase it here.

Dark Eyed Junco

4″ x 6″ acrylic on canvas panel.

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Craning Towards Grace

I find sandhill cranes striking. I love their graceful appearance & brightly colored head. I began to appreciate their lanky frames more when I found out that they can dance quite well especially when searching for a partner. Their grace reminds me of a ballerina or a fancy shawl dancer.

This joyful piece has been perfect to explore as I muddled through some heavy feelings about current events. This summer has been hard. I, like many folks, am struggling with all that’s going on in our country. Folks seem polarized. I know that people have been saying this for years now, it isn’t new, but I have new feelings about it. I am confused by the man made divides that keep popping up. I hear “us vs them” introduced to topics that could easily be discussed reasonably. I have heard folks say it is the medias fault & I just don’t buy that. That’s a cop-out. It is OUR fault. The divide is created by individuals and it is our responsibility to heal it.

Division is created not innate. Differing beliefs may appear to be divided but it is the individual who polarizes. “Us vs them” is a polarizing way of thinking that we have to let go of if we don’t want to be a part of the divisiveness.

A first step to overcoming polarization is not assuming there will be opposition on a given topic. Most folks take pride in being intelligent & kind. If we assume as much as we approach conversations we are more likely to find common ground. It won’t work every time but it will work way better than just putting up a wall of assumptions & opinions before the conversation has started.

Conversing is like a graceful dance, both individuals have to be ready to work together with respect. Effective dances/ growth/ change occur on common ground. Folks who don't think the same as your group aren't all stupid or bad people, instead they are all just people. Just like you. You & they are made of the same stuff sharing the same world. We are all in this dance together - it is good to practice grace.

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This piece is $220 + $10 shipping. You can purchase it here.

Craning Towards Grace

9″ x 12″ acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas.

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Daylily and Silvery Blue Butterfly

The bright orange of a daylily is like a beacon for passerby’s. I imagine they are very eye catching to pollinators like this silvery blue butterfly.

I painted this daylily to practice my daylily skills and I added the silvery blue butterfly for the same reason. Blue and orange is my favorite color combo so this bright piece kept my painting energy flowing over the last couple weeks as it came together.

This little paint doodle is a 4″ x 6″ mini acrylic on canvas panel. It is perfect for framing or propping on the counter and is sure to bring a bit of summer to its new home🏵🦋

This piece is $60 and can be purchased here.

Daylily and Silvery Blue Butterfly

4″ x 6″ acrylic on canvas panel

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Brinkley

This sweet pup’s name is Brinkley. He was given as a birthday gift to the owner. Since she officially received it I can now share him with you! I have been excitedly waiting to introduce him to you – isn’t he cute??

Brinkley is still a pup. A lively, energetic, sweet bernedoodle pup based on what I have heard. I haven’t met him in person but I can only imagine. In the reference photos I got to see Brinkley using those wide, loving, eyes to stare up at his owner – he is definitely a sweetie!

6" x 4" acrylic on canvas panel.
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I really enjoy painting pets! If you know someone who loves their critter and want to get that perfect gift, or if you want to treat yourself and get the likeness of your own furry friend, hit me up! If you think your pet’s personality is too big for a mini that's cool – I paint many sizes of paintings and I can work with you to find the perfect one🐩🐶🎨 Send me a message or read more about ordering a commission here.

Brinkley

4″ x 6″ acrylic on canvas panel

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Laying in Wonder

It is so wondrous to watch spring bloom after a long winter – to watch while the wild world grows and springs to life is utterly breathtaking. Simultaneously, there is a global pandemic that is striking all areas of the human world and people are dying – the shared anxiety is palpable. The colors of spring are similar to last year but they feel slightly different. I wonder what happens next.

This piece was a part of the May virtual group exhibit Together Apart put together by the MacRostie Art Center. The show had many beautiful pieces from artists all over the world in the show. It was a perfect example of art bringing us together.

8” x 10” acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas. $175 - you can purchase it now.

©2020

Laying In Wonder

8″ x 10″ acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

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Spring Growth

Spring is a time for growth. New life is born and old life is reawakened. Flora and fauna remember how to live in their environment as things change with the season.

Newborn fawns are a common sign of spring in the Northwoods. These mild-mannered critters face many tough challenges as they grow up.

I see the fawn as a symbol of gentleness in a harsh world. Even though it seems like such a small, mild-mannered, critter would not be able to survive the harshness of the forest so many of them still do. They are gentle and tough.

The fawn reminds me to be gentle with my spirit. Sometimes I feel a pressure to push myself to be tougher for the world. I know these internal feelings stem from a time and a place I no longer live in, but past habits can be hard to break. The fawn reminds me to adapt to my current season of life and be gentle in the process.

I think it is important that we afford that gentleness to other people's spirits too. We are all humans trying to survive in a world that can be pretty harsh🦌🌿🌎
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6" x 6" acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas. This piece is SOLD. Do you want one similar?

Spring Growth

6″ x 6″ acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas.

 

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A Joyful Tide

Beavers are the whole package. They are tough, awesome swimmers, incredible architects, and they are cute as all get-out. They swim so fluidly that they almost seem to be floating, but I suspect it takes a lot of strength to look so graceful.

This painting has been a peaceful retreat during a rather hectic time. Flowing with this little lady as she came to life was a real joy. She has a nice energy and I feel like she might float right off the canvas. I am pretty certain her purpose is to give out blessings. Joyful tidings to you!🌊💕

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8” x 10” acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas (which means it is ready to hang as soon as it arrives).

This piece is available for purchase, $160 + $10 shipping 🎨🐾

©2020

A Joyful Tide

8" x 10″ acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas.

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Bald Eagle

This piece has already found a home. However I am totally down to paint another eagle if you are interested🦅
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I started this piece during the pandemic, prior to the murder of George Floyd & the protests that ensued. This eagle took on a deeper meaning as current events unfolded.

The bald eagle is obviously very significant in the USA. Not only is it a symbol of the nation but it also holds a lot of personal meaning for folks & cultures throughout. Besides being symbolic bald eagles are also a keystone species.

I think of the bald eagle as an American growth story. In 1940, when it was recognized that the bald eagle was facing threats from humans, Congress chose to create the Bald Eagle Protection Act. Even so, the bald eagle population continued to decline. In 1970 President Nixon proposed & saw the creation of the EPA after observing the negative impact humans were having on the environment. In 1972 the EPA banned the chemical DDT, in part due to the writing of conservationist Rachel Carson, who published her book Silent Spring in 1962. The Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973 & the bald eagle became one of the first critters listed as endangered.

Because of environmental & endangered species protections the current bald eagle population is no longer listed as endangered. The fact that folks could come together to protect such a lovely keystone species gives me hope & demonstrates the power of listening & being heard. Bald eagles can’t speak for themselves. They needed humans to recognize their mistakes & take steps to ensure its survival. That point was heard & a moral, humane, change was made.

As moral beings we’re given the ability to empathize for a reason. I think the biggest step we can take is to step out of our own assumptions & truly listen.

Most people don’t write a book or take time out of their life to protest unless they want to be heard. It is our duty to truly listen, empathize & be the change. Not all of us have the power to create the EPA, but we do have individual power to not poison the earth, to save a turtle crossing the road, or to be kinder & more understanding.
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9" x 12" Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

©2020

Bald Eagle

9″ x 12″ acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas.

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Updates and Recent Commissions

It know it has been an odd spring and summer with many changes for everyone and life at my home is no exception. One huge change is that my solo exhibit, Wild Whimsy of the Northwoods, originally scheduled for June 2020 has been rescheduled for June 2021. Since this show is themed around spring and growth June has always felt like the perfect month for it's first showing. After talking it through with the gallery director at MacRostie Art Center we concluded that moving the opening to June of next year felt right.

I have been working on this show since last year and originally set aside all my free time in April and May to finish up the work for it. It feels so strange to now have a whole 'nother year to finish the work instead. I have mixed emotions but I am trying to grow with the flow. It has given me more time to get outside and soak in the seasons and start on commissions that had been waiting on. I am even able to take new commissions which is invaluable to me during this harsh economic time. Do you want to commission a piece?

I am including photos of the commissions I have finished. I also want to point out that I created a new page on this website which shows my Sold Art. It is not fully completed yet but I have been updating it and you can always go look at it to see more examples of the work I create. Check that here.

Sadie

5″ x 5″ acrylic on canvas panel.

Cardinal #1

6″ x 4″ acrylic on canvas panel.

Chad

8″ x 10″ acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas.

Cardinal

6″ x 4″ acrylic on canvas panel.

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New Mini Series

I started a series of little bird paintings. I have been creating art for my upcoming show, Wild Whimsy of the Northwoods, that will be on display at the MacRostie Art Center in June of 2020. This means I haven't had a lot of originals available for purchase as of late - and I love to share my work - especially around the holidays. I also was finding that I was getting hyper-focused on larger pieces because I didn't have another main focus, so all around I knew it was time for a new mini series to occupy my brain. I decided to focus on birds and pine cones.

My yard is very snowy, and the weather is getting rather cold, so I have been digging around for sticks for fire starter. I love how pine cones look, and though they are amazing fire starter sometimes I just can't bring myself to burn them so I stick them in a vase and look at them. I decided to brush up on my still life skills by painting pictures of them. I added some birds for a flash of joy and color during these cooler, whiter, months. And thus this sweet mini series was born.

The pieces are available for purchase ($60 a piece) and would make great gifts. I will be posting more over the next many weeks so keep your eyes peeled. For now here are the first three. Check them out and let me know what you think ❤