Sun Kissed Cottage

This is a commission that will end up being one of two house paintings that will be a gift. I have to say I really like how this one has turned out and it really is better in person.

Sometimes,in those early stages of a painting, I often wonder how this mess of paint strokes will ever come together to look like something. Most of the time they do and we have a painting. Even I am amazed at how I manage to pull it off.

And then there are the other times. Like this morning. As I was sitting on my porch I became fascinated with the way the morning light was coming through the leaves and hitting the branches of the tree, so I ran in and hauled out my paint gear and set to painting. well.... this time the mess stayed a mess - three times. I wiped it.(3 times) Plein Air painting is hard. For one, I feel like I am always in a race to finish before everything changes. Between the light changing, the wind blowing everything around and the complicated perspective I chose, it just wasn't meant to be, although it really makes me even more determined to find the right approach for achieving success. While I love the idea of it, I seem to spend a lot of time with no material results - at least none that I would show. I know it will certainly help me grow as an artist but I do find it difficult, frustrating and glorious all at the same time.

Sun Kissed Cottage
8x10 oil on canvas panel
SOLD

Thanks for visiting!
©2008 Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.

'Geranium Glow' - oil painting of Geranium

As I sat on my deck the other night I couldn't help but notice how the sun made this geranium just glow. It just begged to be painted and I couldn't resist.

Geranium Glow
8x6 oil on canvas panel


Thanks for your visit!
©2008 Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.

Lovely Lily

I've been sitting here for several minutes trying to come up with something insightful and profound to say - I guess it ain't happenin'. That's the way it goes sometimes.

What I can say to all of you who visit, comment, look and read this...is Thank You. I really do appreciate you taking the time to do so. It means a lot.

Lovely Lily
6x8 oil on canvas panel
$135 + $12 S/H

Let me know if you just have to have this one!
©2008 Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.

Bohn's Point - Lake Minnetonka plein air

This is my 2nd painting form Saturday's outing. The view across the bay of Bohn's Point om Lake Minnetonka. Being at the lake reminds me of childhood vacations. We would make the annual drive in the station wagon from Dayton Ohio to Minnesota to visit my aunt and uncle and cousins. We would spend the week at the lake camping, fishing, rides in the boat. Eventually my family moved here because they loved it so much. My grandparents eventually followed and there were many visits to their lake home in the Brainerd area. The smells of the lake always bring back those memories - that odd mixture of lake and boat motors - I now cringe when I think of what goes into the water with all the motors, but it always brings back those sweet memories.

Bohn's Point Plein air
8x16 oil on canvas panel


Please contact if interested in purchase.
Thanks for your visit.
©2008 Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.

Joyous Perfection

This weekend was wonderful. One of those times where I felt I was very much in alignment with the vision of my life as an artist. Among other things in the last three days, I spent Saturday painting with the Outdoor Painters of Minnesota. We painted at Noremburg Gardens on Lake Minnetonka. Even though I am a member I really haven't gone to the paint outs too much. It was great, connecting with and getting to know some new artists, knocking out two paintings that I feel pretty good about, chatting with passersby and even a little show and tell in the parking lot with a couple who happened to ask about the group. Weather wise we couldn't have had a better day and as I painted all day overlooking the lake I couldn't help but feel grateful for this joyous perfection. To absolutely know you are doing the thing that you are meant to be doing. I accomplished a lot this weekend, finished three paintings, started a commission, sold three more to a collector who just bought two a couple weeks ago, got those ready for shipping, designed, printed and delivered some last minute promotional cards for a shop that just recently started showing my paintings and found them displayed prominently where everyone is sure to see them. As james Brown would say..."I feel good...." you know what I mean?

Morning Light, Plein Air Nuremburg Gardens
8x6 oil on canvas panel

Contact me for purchase. Thanks for your visit!
©2008 Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.

Raven Flight - raven painting

One of my favorite subjects. I like how this turned out. The edges of orange surrounding the bird against the sky gives it an energetic aura and sense of magic to it. That's what I see anyway.
This is inspired from some fabulous photos taken by Ontario photographer Paul Lantz who kindly gave me permission to use his photos for reference. Thanks Paul.

Raven Flight
10 x 20 oil on canvas
$300 + $15 S/H

Please contact me if interested in purchase. kirkeeide@mac.com
Thanks for your visit!

©Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.

Boston

Could these last two posts be anymore unrelated??
As you can tell I like a variety in my subjects. Keeps me on my toes and keeps it interesting. I found this face at a local art fair and couldn't resist. My versions of Boston Terriers end up looking a bit like a caricature, but they are so happy and full of personality I think it somehow catches their spirit. And how can you not look at that face and smile?

Boston
6x8 oil on stretched canvas
SOLD


Thanks for your visit!
©2008 Deb Kirkeeide. all rights reserved.

Rosy Posey - Peony painting study

My peonies were on their last legs with all the trauma they have received lately with our storms but I did a quick study of them and took some pictures for a future large painting. It's too bad they don't bloom all summer I think they are my favorite. Okay, I admit I have a lot of favorites but these are definitely at the top of the list.

Rosy Posey
6x6 oil on stretched canvas
SOLD
Thanks for your visit!
© 2008 Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.

Rufus - Portrait of a dog

Okay, his name really isn't Rufus but when I asked my daughter what I should name this one she came up with Rufus. Between the two of us we came up with Rufus Hazelton the Third. A pretty distinguished name I'd say. Truth is I don't know this guy but I sure do love this face. He's a keeper!

Rufus
10x10 oil on stretched canvas
$225 + $12 shipping/handling

Thanks for your visit!
©2008 Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.

Give Me Your Answer, Do - Daisy Painting

This painting has gone through several incarnations of itself, upon itself. Not being quite satisfied with its original look I thought I would just add a few touches to give it some spark, that was not a smart thing to do - I kind of ruined it. So I put it away for a while, pulled it out later to see if I could salvage it and came up with another version. After looking at it awhile, I again decided I could jazz it up a little. Another assumption on my part....I started in on it, tried a palette knife approach and decided to go to bed before I threw it out the window for the racoons to play with. In the morning as I was about to scrape all the paint off the canvas I tried one more approach and I think I finally came up with one I like! Whew!

So there you go... the fresh, spontaneous and effortless approach to one artist's painting. And really, if you purchase this painting it's like getting three paintings in one...what a value!

The name for this one came from the song Bicycle Built For Two. It's really dating me right now to admit that isn't it? But really it's something I heard as a child...from my grandparents...really

Give Me Your Answer Do
10 x 10 Oil on stretched canvas
$200 + $12 shipping

Contact me for purchasing details. kirkeeide@mac.com

Thanks for your visit!
©2008 Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.

Dueling Iris

I did these two over the weekend. They were two of the varieties in the Iris garden at the arboretum. This is not your typical Iris garden, that's for sure. I love it when Mother Nature gets creative.
This was a great weekend - productive, relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable. Everyday should be the weekend. Hope yours was great too.

Pink Iris
5x5 oil on stretched canvas


Rust Iris
5x5 oil on stretched canvas
sold

If interested in a purchase please let me know!
Thanks for your visit.
©2008 Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.

Gerbera Babies

I started these outside on painting on the deck and was interupted by a visiting racoon. She came out early in the evening and didn't seem to bothered by me. I talked to her and went and got my camera and she still stuck around and even posed for a few pics, ducking under the deck when I ventured too close. I got some pretty good shots and was excited to possibly do a painting of her. When I went to download my pictures none of my picture files of her existed... while others did. Mysterious...maybe she was a figment of my imagination - although she would have been of my daughter's as well.
I had to finish these indoors. I like the title - it reminds me of how my mom told me I looked like the Gerber Baby when I was a wee one.

Gerbera Babies
8x6 oil on canvas panel
SOLD

Thanks for your visit!
©2008 Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.

Minnesota Arboretum Plein Air Painting

I spent the morning paintng at the MN Arboretum. The arboretum has every possible tree, shrub, flower, vegetable and fruit that can ever possibly be grown here in MN. It's a beautiful place to visit, take a walk or just get inspiration for your garden.
This was painted at the Iris garden overlooking the small pond. I have never seen so many varieties of Iris - expect some paintings of those. The one thing about Minnesota in the summer is it is green...very green! Thus this very green painting.

Arboretum Pond - Plein Air
8x10 oil on canvas panel
$145

Please contact me at kirkeeide@mac.com if interested in this painting.
Thanks for you visit!

©2008 Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.