Three Sisters - by Deb Kirkeeide

Three Sisters

6 x 8 Oil
$165 Purchase Here

A still life of the Peony sisters. I can't help but think of flowers as feminine entities. 

Always curious about the symbolic meaning of things, I looked them up. Of course, symbolism is subjective depending on your own experience and memories. To me these flowers epitomize femininity and beauty. I think they may be my favorite flower.

Coincidentally, I found this.

The peony also symbolized bashfulness. In Victorian times it was believed that mischievous nymphs hid in its magnificent petals. Symbolizing beauty and romance, the peony is often chosen for weddings. The same generous petals that earn them the symbolic meaning of happy marriage also earn them the symbolic meaning of compassion.

Peonies bloom during or directly after spring, they symbolize female fertility and beauty. In their full bloom, peonies have the symbolic meaning of peace. Sometimes peonies symbolize indignation.
It is the state flower of Indiana. The peony is the 12th wedding anniversary flower.

I kind of like the idea of nymphs hiding in their petals! I wonder if that's why I've seemed to misplaced a few things in my studio?

Please visit my website or blog for more paintings!

"Single" Peony painting by Deb Kirkeeide

"Single"

8 x 6 Oil

Unframed

165.00 Purchase Here

©2013 Deb Kirkeeide

I seem to be on a floral kick lately. Trader Joes had some beautiful peony bouquets recently and I got a lot of modeling and enjoyment from them.

Please visit my blog or website for more paintings.

Sunflowers In Carl's Vase

Sunflowers in Carl's Vase

11 x 14 Oil on clayboard

©2013 Deb Kirkeeide

$485  Purchase Here

Painting on Clayboard is a little like painting the previous painting in gouache. You lay it down and it sticks to the surface. It's an interesting challenge and since I've got a few more panels, I'm going to experiment more with it. Every substrate seems to present its own challenges and requires a new technique - at least for me! I've been trying trying a lot of different surfaces lately, hopefully one day I will settle on what I prefer.

Please visit my blog  and website for more paintings.

Peony Bouquet

Peony Bouquet

12 x 12 x 1 Cradle Board

$650 Purchase Here

©2013 Deb Kirkeeide

Something other than a bird for a change. (though there will be more) Perhaps it's the lack of color that I've been missing with this very long winter we've been having. 

The brightest spot in this spring, is the arrival of my granddaughter last week! Beautiful little Eva. It was a pretty exciting week. My son in law return safely after 6 months from his deployment, got about 6 hours sleep and the race was on! Their baby girl decided to make an early appearance! I can't even express how thrilled I am to welcome this little one to our family.

I've got about 3-4 paintings in the works that seem to be moving at a snail's pace. Maybe now that we have nice weather and a few other preoccupations are out of the way, all that creative energy will start to flow again and they might get done soon.

This is painted on 1 inch thick cradled board with sides painted to match the background and is ready to hang.

Happy Spring Everyone!

A Dream of Spring

A Dream of Spring

10 x 10 Oil on Panel

©2013 Deb Kirkeeide

$300 Purchase Here

A pretty spring bouquet of warm color for our snowy, white days here in Minnesota.

Yes, it has been a long time. I've come to realize that perhaps January and February are the months

to step back and take a break. I did visit my daughter in Utah and we attended part of the Sundance Film Festival. We heard some good music, saw some good films and I got to visit with my good friend and fellow artist Diane Whitehead. We had a great time catching up and spent the day in Park City looking for celebrities. The only celebrity (that I know of) we saw was Kenny Loggins. We saw his new band,  Blue Sky Riders. I thought they were great and really enjoyed the show.

I have a group show coming up March 9 - 22 at Squire House Gardens in Afton, MN. If you are in the area please join us for the reception on Saturday March 9, 5-9. I'd love to meet you!

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

Impatiens in the garden

I painted this evening  for the The Nature's Arrangement Challenge ,  on  Daily Paintworks .com We had a very hot and humid day
here in Minneapolis so I waited until evening to paint thinking it might be better . Wrong ! The light was beautiful however the heat and humidity was tough . I found a nice shady spot in the garden   to set up and the impatiens in the window box  with the evening light  worked out nicely for an outdoor still life . It was great fun even with the heat
  http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/6739

Peony Bouquet

Peony Bouquet

6x8 Oil on Linen Panel

©2011 Deb Kirkeeide.

This has a completely different mood than the previous floral. It still amazes me how many different styles seem to flow through at any given time. I wonder what contributes to that? Just like our moods are in constant flux, it makes sense that any number of environmental and emotional responses  influence the outcome of our artistic expression.

This is from a recent bouquet I received from Monsieur Trader Joe.
He's just the nicest, isn't he??

If interested in purchasing this painting (and more!) please go here.
Thanks!