On The Sunny Side - Minnesota River Arts Plein Air landscape

On The Sunny Side

9 x 12 Oil

©2012 Deb Kirkeeide

Saturday was the culmination of the plein air event at the first annual Minnesota River Arts Fair. This painting is one of two that I entered into the culminating show and competition. It was a brutal

week with the weather being horrendously hot and there were some dedicated painters out there

every day. I admit it, I'm a wimp when it comes to hot weather but I managed to get in 2.25 days during the week. This was painted at the end of the first day. 

The event was held at The Landing – Minnesota River Heritage Park, in Shakopee, MN. This 88-acre living history museum depicts life in the Lower Minnesota River Valley from the 1840s–1890s with authentic 19th-century buildings, demonstrations and a scenic river trail and overlook. It was my first time visiting the park - and I only live 15 miles away! Funny how you never get out to 'site-see' in your own area!

More paintings coming up!

"On The Sunny Side"

$350.00 Purchase Here

Summer Still Life With Sunflowers

Summer Still Life with Sunflowers

12 x 16 Oil

©2012 Deb Kirkeeide

A "too hot to be outside" summer day, a hand thrown vase and a bouquet of sunflowers in the studio - all the inspiration for this sunny painting. Of course these one of my favorite flowers!

The summer heat continues and I'm ever thankful for my AC though I have ventured out in this heat to participate in the plein air portion of the Minnesota River Arts Fair. It was brutally hot on our first day - though I did manage to get 3 paintings done. Between work, the heat and the rains I'm hope for the next 2 evenings to be cooperative so I can get a couple more in before we turn them on friday.

Stay cool!

Summer Still Life with Sunflowers

12 x 16 Oil

$600.00 + SH

Purchase Here

Heron in Green - SOLD

Heron in Green

12 x 16
SOLD

©2012 Deb Kirkeeide

I spite of my lack of posting lately, I have been painting! Some have been in the works and some were painted recently on a trip to the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. I'll post some of the more successful paintings from that week in the days to come.

I've had a friend and fellow artist visiting from England and it's been great fun painting together, sharing ideas and cultures, visiting the art museums and galleries around here and of course, learning the fine art of tea time. (which according to my guest is anytime.) I'm excited to someday add Great Britain as a painting destination as I will now have a guide!

This heron painting has been a experiment in technique, with color, applying paint, scraping back, adding more. The process hasn't fully evolved into where it wants to settle, but I like the outcome of this one.

Thank you!

Right At Home

Right At Home

9 x 12 Oil

©2012 Deb Kirkeeide

I just recently bought a couple bird feeders that I can watch from my studio window. It's really been fun to see who shows up to try out the new restaurant in town. So far mostly house wrens, chickadees, cardinals and goldfinches. Oh, and one determined chipmunk who tried really hard to reach the feeder to no avail.

I caught this guy hanging out in my flowers. He blended in so well that I almost didn't notice him.

Nature's perfect camouflage.

Right At Home 

320. Buy Here

First Signs of Spring - Oil painting of Tulips

First Signs of Spring

9 x 12 Oil

©2012 Deb Kirkeeide
Sold

This should have been posted in a more timely manner and we are almost to summer!
My coworker came up to me the other day and said to "Get painting! You haven't posted since March!" Where does the time go?

This has been a crazy 6 months with all the disruptions in my house. Just when I was thinking everything was done I decided to put new flooring in my studio space, which then led to some
custom built storage and of course painting all the walls. But it is done and I'm moved back in
and getting things in place. It was worth all the disruptions and having everything moved into other parts of the house.

Here are a few pics of the space. My favorite part is all that storage. I'm still working on new lighting
but that will have to wait awhile.

'Library' area - next up a nice comfy chair

Storage, Storage Storage

as you can see there are a few new things on the easels

Desk

Barn Owl original oil painting by Deb Kirkeeide

"Barn Owl"

8 x 10 Oil

©2012 Deb Kirkeeide

I love these birds! They're so beautiful. Unfortunately their territory doesn't include Minnesota and I discovered him at an aviary in Salt Lake City last year.

Purchase here.

March in French Park - Plein Aire landscape painitng

March in the Park

9x12 Oil

©2012 Deb Kirkeeide

My first plein air outing  of the year. We have been having an unusually warm and early spring here. Last year this time this scene would have been frozen with a couple feet of snow.

Saturday was our monthly Outdoor Painters of Minnesota paint out. This location is at French Regional Park. The morning was very misty and grey but I found it to be a good study in greys and really enjoyed being out again communing with nature and the occasional passerby. The perfect way to spend the day.

I painted from the same spot last year in June.  Obviously a much different color palette!

Purchase March in the Park here.