This is the illustration I did for a poem I wrote, entitled Mother.
9×12 acrylic on paper
The original is not for sale, but prints are available. Maybe one day I will be brave enough to share my poems as well.
Mother
9×12 acrylic on paper
Alaskan Art
9×12 acrylic on paper
New Gallery in Seward!
I’m so excited to announce that I am opening up a brand new fine art gallery in Seward, Alaska!
Shearwater Gallery will feature fine Alaskan art, inspired by nature. Of course my own work will be available there, but also the work of so many wonderful Alaskan artists from all over the state!
I’ll announce more details later, but opening date is tentatively scheduled for Dec 1, so if you are in Seward, please stop by. I’d love to see you!
Oh, and btw, you will still be able to find my work at the wonderful Art Shop Gallery in Homer, so stop by there, too!
My favorite things (Van Gogh, Ravens, and Alaska Native Mythology)
This painting is an homage to a few of my favorite things:
18×24 Acrylic on Canvas
$550
There is an Alaska Native creation myth in which Raven (the Trickster) brings light to the world by stealing the sun from an old man who has it hidden in a box. There are a few variations of the story, but it always involves Raven being clever, magical, and of course, tricky. It’s my favorite Alaska native myth, mainly because ravens are fascinating birds and I love any stories associated with them.
Also, my very favorite artist is Vincent Van Gogh and my favorite of his paintings is Starry Night. I am not unique in this as it is one of the most universally beloved paintings from a man who was largely unappreciated in his time, but grew to be the very definition of expressionist with his bold colors and clear powerful brush strokes.
So, all that to say this painting is my homage- to Vincent, to ravens, and to Alaska Native mythology. I hope my love of all three shines through.
Birds on the Brain
For some reason I find myself wanting to paint birds, lately. I’m not sure why, but it probably has to do with the shortening days and the dreary weather. I need a little brightness and colorful birds always bring some cheer.
24×12 Acrylic on canvas
$500
prints available
This blue beauty will be available at Shearwater Gallery in Seward, Alaska. Drop by and have a look. Maybe it will bring you some cheer, too!
Good news!
I have good news! The following 6 pieces are now available as prints!
The proofs just came back from the photographer/printer and they look great! They will now be added to my growing collection of work available as high quality art prints on paper or metal! Get yourself some!
And don’t forget to check out all of the originals available as well on my gallery pages. I am painting every day and adding them to the website as I finish them, so new stuff all the time!
Keeping busy!
My husband and I have been traveling lately for his work.
Right now we are in Gustavus, Alaska, which is a tiny town near the entrance of Glacier Bay National Park. Its a lovely town with friendly people and we have been so warmly welcomed here. The beaches and mountains are gorgeous and let me tell you, the trees are out of this world beautiful.
While my husband is working, I’ve been keeping myself busy painting lots of new work for my July show.
Traveling is always great, but I’m looking forward to getting back home to the studio to finish preparing for the show, get some projects done around the homestead (re-chinking the logs and some bathroom and kitchen remodeling, etc )and then head out again for more travels.
I hope to see you at my show. I’ll be at The Art Shop Gallery in Homer, Alaska July 1 for the opening, and then the show will run for the whole month of July. Let me know if you are going to be in town!
Shorebirds
One of the great things about living along Cook Inlet and Kachemak bay is the abundance of shorebirds that either migrate in each spring, or live here year round. We have a beautiful annual indicator that spring is here when we start to see our feathered friends arrive in their thousands.
(You can find this little group of shorebirds at the Art Shop Gallery in Homer.)
I just love watching them poke about in the sand and pebbles for food, always squabbling amongst themselves and filling the air with their squawks and cries. So entertaining!
Pretty in Pink
For some reason I’ve been painting a lot with pink lately (technically quinacridone magenta).
Not sure why, but I think it is probably me dreaming of spring.
I get like this every year at about this time.
While the snow piles up outside, I’m Inside dreaming of fields of flowers. come on, spring!
I’ll be adding these into the gallery page soon. Check back for details on sizes and prices.
Dreaming of Summer Magpies
I’ve been watching our resident magpies keeping themselves busy poking around in the snow for hidden treats, and am reminded once again how entertaining my dapper black-and-white friends can be. I think magpies are the most under-appreciated members of the corvid family, taking a backseat to their raven and crow cousins, and I’m not sure why. I think they are lovely with their long, glossy tails and bright white wing patches, and just as personable as any crow or raven I’ve encountered, though I love them all. For entertainment value you can’t beat a corvid.
Watching them now in the depth of winter has me dreaming of summer and a painting I did for my June show:
The painting has a dream-like quality that seems especially appropriate now that the warm summer air seems like a lifetime ago and a world away. I’m just glad my magpie friends have stuck around to bring a little cheer on a winter’s day.
Stay cheerful, folks. Summer will be here eventually.
Merry Christmas from Twin Spruce Studios
(pic by Ed Gonzalez)
We had a little earthquake yesterday to shake things up a bit, it was a 6.0 centered just on the other side of Cook Inlet behind Iliamna volcano. No worries, all is well, though there was damage to one of my paintings when it was shaken from the wall at the gallery in Homer. Pretty sure I can fix it up good as new, though. #alaskalife, right?
Anyways, Merry Christmas, happy holidays, etc to all of you out there, celebrating whatever it is you celebrate in whatever way you can in this difficult year. Remember in the end, love is all that really matters.
Twin Spruce Studio 