Still obsessing about Common Thistle...

...but now I have added bees wax to my paint in the form of Cold Wax Medium. For a painter that likes to draw, paint with a knife and occasionally use a brush it is simply "yummy". I can go back into pieces and work in a way that I could not do before. 

The above piece is 12"x24". Here is a close up of the surface below. The wax adds a quality to the surface that I am really liking.

Love to see them hang!

 At the fairs, I get to meet the people that invest in my work and occasionally I get to see how they live with the art. This client had the vision for where this piece would work in her family home straight away. You can see the "pop" at the front entrance of the house. Lovely!

Northern Michigan Sunshine

This piece was created based on a field of sunflowers that a farmer had planted along M-72 on the way to Empire, Michigan and the Sleeping Bear Dunes. Whether a drive through Tuscany or Northern Michigan, there is something about a field of sunflowers that makes me smile and have to stop. So fun to paint!

Northern Michigan Sunshine -  20" x 24"

This piece is available for sale. Click the link above for more information.

Back to my studio!

Thank you to everyone that stopped by my booth at the Ann Arbor Art Fair this past week. From cold bottles of water, to moist hugs and occasional potty breaks, it seemed like whenever I needed a hand, it appeared. I must say I am surprised and delighted by the hardcore art lovers that I have come to known over the years. We have had hotter temperatures in years past but the humidity made this last week extra tough and yet people came! Amazing! I thank you all sincerely!

After Friday night's storm, I was not sure what I would find on Saturday morning.  I went in extra early and was relieved to find my tent standing strong. The extra time alone in my booth that morning gave me pause to reflect and write this poem which I have shared with my fellow artist friends on-line. I thought I would share it with you all too.

 Reflections on the Street

The wind, the rain, the restless night,
hoping my tall tent does not take flight.
Yet in the morn I see her stand,
fairest Trim-line in the land.
She kept my work all safe and dry,
knowing what would make me cry.
With perfect weather, here we go.
Another day, another show.
Pitching paintings in the sun,
where some find homes and some find none.
My bucket fills from all the smiles
and the pieces yet to make.

You would think I would be exhausted after two big shows, back to back. Actually, I am anxious to get back to painting. I have a wonderful series of common thistle that I am working on. Here is a small piece that I hope to finish soon.

Common Thistle II - 12" x 9"

Thanks again everyone!
Kim

See my live TV interview on utube!

While at Art in the Park in Plymouth, MI this weekend, I was fortunate to get a live interview with FOX2 Detroit. They did a great job getting the camera on a lot of pieces and giving me several of minutes of TV time.

In case you missed it, here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNWGN936Pb8

Michigan's two largest art fairs on deck!

These next couple of weeks are crazy fun for this artist. Both Plymouth's Art in the Park and the Ann Arbor Art Fair are in my backyard. It makes for a lot of fun with many collectors and friends stopping by to say "hi". Mother Nature is on board with perfect weather ordered up for this weekend!

My website is updated with the year's remaining shows as well as a new group of Available Originals. The offerings in Fine Art Prints in paper and canvas has increased, so you might want to check out my Fine Art Prints as well. Greeting Cards and Magnets will be available at the shows as well as on-line.

Here are a few of the pieces:


Poppy Patch at the Farm II
40" x 30"

Three Trees
48" x 60"

Common Thistle
8" x 24"

Purple Barn
8" x 24"

Hope to see you soon!

Painting May's flower on a perfect May Day!

My lily of the valley are not yet blooming, but I am hopeful they will be soon.

A beautiful spring day in Michigan today! A little gardening and a little painting makes for a perfect day. The silouettes of hollyhock are so fun to paint!

Three Giant Sunflowers

Another fun commission for a young family. These three sunflowers represent the three kids that are being raised in this awesome family home. Each sunflower panel is 2' wide and 6' tall. The collectors picked the concept from a small group of sketches. I think the scale and tone of these works look great in their space. 

These are painted entirely with a knife. Here is a close up of the foliage:

Original Oil of Japanese Maple Trees

Cherished Japanese Maple trees on a couple's property inspired this painting. It is 4 feet square with a luscious application of oil paint that is applied with painting knives. The client selected the composition from a few sketches. This couple just did a great job remodeling this older home. What an awesome place for my piece to hang!

Here is the Panarama below. You can see the painting from the kitchen, dining and living rooms! Love the setting and the scale. Amazing how one big piece can add a view to a room.

And a close up of the knife work:

Lastly, here is the sketch. I may paint this composition again. I  loved the structure of the trees being nestled together and the movement in the leaves. Very fun to paint!

Blue Orchard II

This piece hangs in the home of a special family in Clarkston, Michigan. The couple has a 3 year old daughter named Daphne. The three trees represent the family. I could have removed little Daphne's things that are strewn about, but I chose to keep them in the picture. The tiny slippers are Cinderella slippers...I happily remember those times with my girls.

This piece is painted on a 4' square wood panel. The oil paint is applied with a palette knife. The Blue Orchard painting that preceded this was painted with a brush. Here are a couple of close ups: