Angel Dreams Study

Although, I'm happy with the essence of this I'm a little iffy and would like to improve on a couple things but I do know she will reincarnate on another canvas. This after all was a study and this is a painting a day (in theory) so here it is. I do love love love the texture of this one and want to do more work using a palette knife. It's really kind of fun once you come up with a technique.
There is no story behind this one - maybe it will come later - the ideas just pop in my head while doodling, one image leads to another and voila! An angel is born. She is looking a little "smirky" rather than angelic, perhaps next time around, although I do like the idea a mischievous angel.

Angel Dreams
8 x 16 oil on panel

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© 2009 Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.

Grandfather Tree 07.05.09

Aah...the best of plans.

Here is another study of my tree. I forced it out of me to prove that I really could still paint. I think this tree would be perfect for a big old tree house. I would love that. Just me and the squirrels.

I was very excited to have three days to paint this weekend. Had lots of ideas that I wanted to finish up and to spend time exploring new ones. My muse evidently decided to take the weekend off and head to the lake. Smart gal. It is out of sheer stubbornness that I have this to show. I have one that I have started and wiped four times now. The rest, well they just didn't seem to go well. I hate when that happens. all I can say is it's a good thing I have other paintings as proof that I really can paint. In my frustration I headed to the coffee shop and spent about two hours journaling - not sure if I solved anything but I have a few hints at what is going on - I think. And perhaps at the bottom of it all is that I should have just taken a break and made some plans. So with that, I am headed to the little french bistro nearby and sitting by the lake and enjoying the rest of the day with a burger I know, not very French, but that's what I'm craving...I'll add some fries and a glass of wine to that. Salut!

Grandfather Tree 07.05.09
8x6 Oil on linen panel

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© Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.

Grandfather Tree - June 28.09

Same tree - next night. This time I wasn't quite in a rush before it became dark so I took a little more time. Interesting how the light affected the colors, as soon as I set up outside I noticed there was more of a yellow cast to everything. The previous night had more blues in it - probably from the rains we had earlier in the day.

I love this tree, I now have a collection of 6 paintings of it. As you can tell I am quite fond of them. I see them as faithful and protective friends.

I have a friend who says to look for the faces in the trees - it's spirit will reveal itself. I haven't seen the face in this tree but I have seen them in others. This reminds me of the Grandmother Tree that was in the Disney film Pocahontas. She would go to the tree whose face would magically appear and share her wisdom.

Grandfather Tree June 28.09
6x8 Oil

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©2009 Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.

Three Stand As One

As I mentioned in a previous post, I came to call these trees The Three Sisters. They grew so close together that their presence was as one. Of the memories from my stay at Naniboujou Lodge last month, these stand out the most. Everyday I would sit along side them looking out over the lake. I wonder how long they have stood there? What they have witnessed through the years. How many have taken shelter in their arms? I wonder what stories the wind and waters have shared with them?

There's a great spirit to that area along the north shore, it draws me there over and over.
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© 2009 Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.

Grandfather Tree at Dusk - June 27. 09

I spent the day painting in my "Summer Studio" (my screen porch) What started out to be a rainy, muggy day turned into a beautiful, sunny one with low humidity and cooler temps. Heaven. At the end of the day I decided to do a quick plein air study of my favorite tree. Quick it was! I think the light changed faster than I could decide what color it was so this was done in about twenty minutes. It's very loose, but there is a freshness to it. I will be adding it to the rest of my Grandfather Tree series.

Grandfather Tree at Dusk
6x8 Oil on linen panel

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©2009 Deb Kirkeeide, All rights reserved.

Stella de Oro

Stella De Oro - sounds like a film star.

Finally! I have something to post. I've been painting a much larger piece that seems to be taking forever so I had to paint a smaller one to feel like I am getting something done! Besides that the Stellas are blooming and I can't pass them up, so look for more to come. I just learned that each flower only lasts for one day - and they bloom quickly, by the time I finished the painting the bud on the top left completely opened up - I can't believe I didn't actually see it moving!

So I really have been painting, but I've also been busy with other projects. I'm in the process of turning my studio/family room into a full studio which involves some rearranging and shifting of rooms. I've got my handyman coming to take care of a few house things, I've installed a gallery hanging system so I can have more in studio events and am in the process of picking out flooring. Exciting!

Stella De Oro
16 x 8 Oil on canvas panel
$150 + 12 S/H

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©Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.

Beautiful Dreamer

These beautiful dreamers have been taking up residence in my bedroom. Making for sweet dreams. My favorite flowers - okay one of them - renunculas. The colors in this one bring a vintage quality to it. And I love the brushwork with lots of texture and movement.

Beautiful Dreamer
16x12 Oil on Canvas



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©2009 Deb Kirkeeide. all rights reserved.