Peonies on the Porch

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Peonies on the Porch

9x9 oil

I bought these peonies at the Farmer's Market and set them up in my "summer studio" (my screen porch) to paint.  I love being able to paint out there. Just like being outdoors with the sights and sounds but with an overhead fan and a roof.  Kind of a faux plein aire situation.

This painting started life as an 11 x 14 but the composition went astray so I've cut it down into this version. Funny how I don't often see the problems until it gets up on the screen. The phrase "step away from the easel" keeps running in my mind. I sometimes forget that in the process.

Please contact me if you would like to purchase this piece.Thank you!


©2010 Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.

Two Stellas

Two Stellas

6x6 Oil on panel

 My Stella d'Oros are blooming like crazy right now and this is a little study from my garden. I painted this a couple nights ago from my deck.and while out there I met my new neighbor and his young daughter. He mentioned that he had some raccoons removed from around his house and that I should watch out for them on the move. I told him I have had several families living under my deck over the years. He said they had a family of four. And I told him more stories and then he told me about his family of four...his kids. whoops! I'm sure I've made a great first impression in my painting clothes, paint on my face and hands and unable to follow a conversation. Ah, well...

I must retract my unhappiness with my Gamblin paints - my mistake - it was a different brand. Sorry Gamblin!

©2010 Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.

Oh So Dreamy

"Oh, So Dreamy"

6x6 oil

Happy Solstice! I celebrated by painting outside until the sun started to fade and the mosquitoes threatened to carry me away.  I will post those later.

After painting tonight, I've decided that it's not me...or the studio fairies...it's the paint! I recently replenished my paint supply and I don't know if it is the weather or just unusually slippery batch of paint. I like buttery paint but this it is acting more like melted butter. 

I'm not sure why this title came to me, there's no magical story and it didn't come to me in a dream (in fact it was a bit of a nightmare to paint) but as I looked at it the colors and brushwork looked like it was in a dream.

©2010 Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.

Tulipe

 "Tulipe"

6x6 Oil on panel
SOLD

I couldn't think of a clever name for this one so I used the French translation.

I can't believe how foreign it still feels to be painting again. The studio fairies must have cast spells on all my supplies. The paint, the brushes, the canvases - nothing reacts the same! 

Maybe it's the new easel....

...yeah, that must be it.

©2010 Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.

Glorious

"Glorious"

6x6 Oil
SOLD

One thing with being away from the easel for while is trying to get back into the swing of things. Mainly the paintbrush. It sometimes feels a little foreign. So I am trying to warm up with some small paintings. At times it feels like I've been scraping off as much paint as I put on.

But I have to say it's been a glorious weekend too. I finished up and delivered a commission piece for a friend's daughter to give to her husband as a wedding gift. They were both thrilled which in turn makes me happy. You always sort of hold your breath when they see it in person - well, I should say I do anyway.

And today I found out the results of the awards! "You Talkin' To Me" was awarded 1st place in the oil category. And "On Top of the World" was awarded Best in Show!

Wow! Needless to say I am thrilled! And one of the best things was to hear the judges process and hear him describe what he saw in the paintings. It really sounded like I knew what I was doing! All those elements of technique that I don't think of, and really don't know that I could point out. My process just doesn't include consciously thinking of those elements, so it's fun to know that they are there anyway.

Thanks for your visit!

©2010 Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.

Stepping Out

Stepping Out

6x6 oil on stretched canvas

sold

The title seems to sum up the painting and me.  Finally feeling the artistic juices starting to flow again. I was feeling pretty burned out and took a much needed break from it all. And while I haven't felt the inspiration at the easel, it's been flowing on the digital side. I am working on an animated project that is my visual of a local poet's work. Totally up to my own interpretation, and it will be shown at a screening with other pieces in the fall. It's really been fun working it all out.

So I have been painting, it's just been with pixels. Here's an earlier version of one of the scenes. It keeps evolving as I get further into it.

And even though I haven't been painting or posting, I have not been idle on the artistic front. I've been talking to an art rep and she's helping to get my work out there.  And I just got word that  I have won an award in a juried show I just entered! I'm not sure what that is or for which painting, but I will find out Sunday. But I have to say that it really gets me excited about painting again!

Thanks to those of you who have kept checking in here and rattling my chain via email -(that would be you, Doug) It's nice to know I'm missed and I appreciate it.