Duluth Waterfalls

Studies, Congdon park and Lester Park, Duluth, each one is 4.5x6, 2012

Here is more of the work I did while in Duluth.  I am amazed at how you can be just a few blocks from downtown and be in the woods next to a beautiful waterfall.  Congdon (spelling?) park is lower than the surrounding landscape which makes it feel even more secluded.  The moss grows thick.  In the fall the moss blooms bright red.  I hope to go back to see that again.

Water and Rocks and Bridges

Amnity Creek Duluth, watercolor, 9x12, 2012

Many thanks to Jill for suggesting this spot!  It has got it all, water, rocks, a bridge with a semi-circle form.  This painting needs a bit more before I will call it done.

Banning State Park Kettle River Rapids, watercolor, 9x12, 2012

I think this one is done.  On the way home from Duluth, I noticed the outside temperature rose from about 48 to 65 by the time I passed Moose Lake.  And the sun came out.  I did not see the sun the whole weekend in Duluth.  I decided to stop at Banning State Park to do more painting and hiking.  This spot is called "Dragon Tooth" on the hiking map.  I think the actual Dragon Tooth rock is on the other side and I left it out because it messed up the composition.  If I go there again, I may try to work it in.  Somewhere in my house is an unfinished picture of this same spot from about three years ago.  I want to find it.

Bemidji

North of the Barn, watercolor, 7x4.5 (each), 2012

I went out to paint north of the barn after supper because that was where the light was best.  Mosquitoes chased me inside before I finished, so I finished them this morning.  Mosquitoes in Bemidji on March 21.  Today it is colder.  We will visit awhile, play some board games and head for home.  This meadow might be garden by next year, that would be fun to paint also. 

Willow River

It has been crazy warm here in Minnesota.  I'm on Spring Break right now and I did not need to travel anywhere to be able to paint outside.  Well, OK, I went across the border to Wisconsin.  Willow River State Park is so beautiful.  Miles and miles of great hiking and a spectacular waterfall. 

Willow River 3.19.12 (1), Watercolor, 4.5x7, 2012

Willow River 3.19.12 (2), Watercolor, 4.5x7, 2012 

After sitting by the waterfall for an hour or so, it was a nice change to find a quiet spot near still water.  I worked on these two paintings of the fallen branch at the same time.  It started to rain while the sun still shone, creating a full rainbow.  Wow.  I love how at the end of the day the water has pink in it.

Willow River 3.19.12 (3), Watercolor, 4.5x7, 2012 

Willow River 3.19.12 (4), Watercolor, 4.5x7, 2012 

I returned to the waterfall before heading for home.  I only penciled it while there and then painted it at home.  There was a large group of rock climbers there early in the day, when I returned later it was just one woman climbing by herself.  She did get down safely.  

Getting into my car I realized that I would be driving west for a long time at sunset.  Thankfully, there were clouds at the horizon so I did not have to stare into the sun as I drove home.  That day was a gift.

Climbing Rocks

Climbing Rocks, acrylic and acrylic photo transfer, 16x20, 2012

I went to a workshop where some Dakota and Ojibwe artists showed their work and talked about it.  I learned about this method of using photocopies and acrylic medium to do the transfer from one of the artists there.  I can't remember her name and I tried to look it up just now with no luck.  I will find out and include her name in the next post.

I really like the combination of photo and abstract strokes of color.  I plan to do more with this.

More Simple Landscapes in Progress

Simple Landscape 2 in progress, acrylic, 18x24, 2012

Simple Landscape 1 in progress, acrylic, 24x36, 2012

Should it really take 20 minutes to create a post?  What am I doing wrong?  Too much agonizing over photography and editing to try to get the color right.

Painting today was short, but I enjoyed pushing the paint around.  Showing up at the easel.  That is what it was all about today.  Feel like I'm coming down with something.  Headache and nausea.  Hopefully it will not still be here in the morning.  Gotta drive the kids to band in the morning and then teach other kids about Chinese art, and then Frank Lloyd Wright and Frank Gehry, and then Winslow Homer.  No wonder I'm feeling a bit scattered.

Simple Landscapes

simple landscape in progress, 36x24, acrylic, 2012

I feel a need for wide open space.  I do not have it here in my house.  I spent some time at school yesterday trying to create it there.  There are about 2 hours of daylight left in the day, maybe a walk would do me some good.

Chessboard, 36x24, acrylic, 2012

I got a new easel and 3 big canvases for Christmas, I think the chessboard one is finished.  I was thinking about the relationship between the bishop and the pawn, thinking at first that this arrangement provides a possibility that the pawn could take the bishop, but only if the bishop is prevented somehow from attacking the pawn, perhaps by some other piece, but it is quite clearly wide open space, no one else around.  If it is the pawn's first move, it could move two spaces to safety, but then it is stuck there.  Why did I choose a bishop?  Because of some connection to religion?  No, because they move diagonally, and it makes a more visually pleasing arrangement.  But it is called a bishop, so the religious connection is there, whether I want it to be or not.  I really like this one.  But I do not know what to do with it.  I can't imagine displaying it anywhere.