Sunday Backyard

 

Sunday Backyard

6x8 Oil

©2011 Deb Kirkeeide

I've been painting all day and happened to look out my studio window and loved how the shadows were casting across the snow. So I tried a little indoors plein air. Really difficult as the snow was pretty blinding in the sunlight. And my eyes weren't quite adjusting back and forth to the colors. But all in all

I like this little study. I haven't done that in quite a while (plein air, that is) 

I can't believe the weekend is over already - just when I'm getting into the groove of it! Hope yours was a good one.

$145.00 + $12.00 S/H
 

One Summer Day

  One Summer Day

6x8 Oil on linen canvas
©2011 Deb Kirkeeide

This is a painting I did a while back but never posted because I wasn't really happy with it. So I decided to sit down and have a little chat with it. We came to terms after I reworked it a little and we're both pleased with the outcome.

The title is a bit of wishful thinking - at this moment I am writing to the sound of sleet and snow hitting the windows.

At the Movies....

 This weekend I saw a movie called Seraphine. The film is based on the true story of French painter Seraphine Louis de Senlis (1864–1942). I admit I was not aware of her work before this, but I found her story fascinating. Hers is one of passion and in her words she was sometimes frightened by what came through her onto the canvas.  I recommend the movie and checking out her work.

And Then There Were Three

Raven Number 3

6x6 Oil

The last of this little study. It gave me a good idea of how (and if) I want to approach a  larger

triptych of these guys. I see I need to warm up this particular bird to match the other two, but after seeing them together, I like this little trio. Can't wait to do a larger version!

Raven Triptych Study

After my PAN (Project Art For Nature) orientation on Saturday I have to say I'm really excited about this project and the fabulous and diverse group of artists. I was very inspired and am now wanting my studies to include more birds - especially the Sandhill Cranes. I  am dreaming of a telephoto lens and trips out west to Yellowstone for more reference shots of the wildlife! 

©2011 Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.

Raven Number Two

Raven Number Two

6x6

                                       This is the second study in my little trio of Ravens.

©2011 Deb Kirkeeide. all rights reserved.

The First of Three

The First of Three

Raven Triptych

6x6, Oil

This is a small study for a triptych of ravens I plan to do in a larger format. I wanted to experiment a  little with texture but I think 6x6 is too small of a playing field for what I was thinking. But I still like 

this little series of paintings. I even have the frames already picked out and think they will make a nice

little grouping.

In the news, for me, is that I have been juried into a group of Minnesota and Wisconsin artists for the next 3 yr cycle of Project Art For Nature. This Saturday is our orientation and I'm looking forward to participating in this worthy project, as well as meeting and working with other artists. Along with the exhibitions of the project, I'm considering starting another blog that will chronicle my own art and observations in the field. I'll keep you posted!

I've also been asked to participate as an animator again in this year's  MotionPoems. You may remember my little animated piece from last year. This years work will be in partnership with Scribner's Best American Poetry Anthology which is published each year. So that's pretty exciting that they are getting national attention. 

©2011 Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.

Really? More snow??

 

Shy

6x8 oil

 As I look out on the latest 16" of snow we've just been blessed with, I am brought back from the false sense of spring that we were lulled into these past couple weeks. *sigh* but our warm spell did melt
all the ice dams on my roof and the snow is very pretty ....
And I have been painting - mostly little warm ups, getting back into the swing of things. I have to admit, I feel a little rusty.  But, I did just finish another St Nick commission. (I know, just when you thought all the Christmas decorations were down...) but I'm pretty happy with this one and given our snowy weather I think he's appropriate! Maybe you can think of him as just another happy Norwegian with a thing for red.

 

 Nicholas

8x10 Oil

SOLD

Hope all is warm and bright in your part of the world. Here's to dreams of spring!

©2011 Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.

The Winter Queen

Winter Queen

11x14 Oil

I have received a gentle nudge to post something new.( Duly noted, friend) While this is not new, it will have to do for now.

The Winter Queen still has us in her icy grip here in MN as the temps today-7 with -400 below windchills. (okay, maybe I'm exaggerating, -200) Cold is cold! But there is promise of above freezing in the days to coming.

Artist's block has had me in her grip as well. And I'll be honest, it has been a great struggle to find the inspiration in my painting. It's been hard to make anything work in spite of my cajoling and begging of my artistic muse. It has been extremely frustrating. Not sure what  is behind it, but I'm working with my coach to get through it. And it is slowly coming back. In baby steps. And I will say the skills are very rusty and I haven't been too thrilled with the results.

 I suspect there are several reasons behind my block. Sometimes we just plain burn out. I have a day job that demands creativity and it's wanted yesterday. This sometimes leaves very little at the end of the day when I want to come home to paint. I also suspect that as much as I love winter, I am sensitive to the lack of light (vitamin D and a sunlamp anyone?) and I won't even attempt to go into the games the psyche likes to throw into the mix!

I think one of the things we need to remember is to allow it, take this time to rest, replenish the well of creativity and not be too hard on ourselves. Easier said than done I know.

So, my question to all you artists and creatives out there, what do you do when you hit the artistic wall? What has helped you push through it and find that artistic mojo again? Please share! I'm sure I am not the only one to struggle with this. Maybe we can all help each other!

In the meantime, please be patient with me - I do think I will have something new to post very soon.
Rusty or not.

Happy 2011 Everyone!

©2011 Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.