First comes twilight, then dusk

Light at the end of the day is only constant in that is fleeting and ever changing.  When I initially approached this painting I was focused on the subtleties found minutes after the sun disappears below the horizon.  I wanted to capture that period of time where your eye adjusts to the shadows and a new sense of depth is found.


When I am camping, its amazing how much the eye can perceive without the headlamp or light of the campfire.   However, as fascinated as I might be with this lack of light, I realized that this painting wouldn't been seen in the dark.  During the evolution of this painting, I added more highlights to achieve visual interest.  I almost stopped painting with the second image, but I was unsatisfied with the lines in the water.  This painting caused me to study color found after the sun sets.  For the past few weeks, I've been noticing sunset differently, I discovered dark greens and flickers of peach in the Milwaukee sky...as well as the first star of the evening.

This is another paintings inspired from the Boundary Waters Canoe area in Minnesota.  Its about that time of year, when we start making plans for our canoeing adventures for 2012!

DUSK, Oil on canvas, 16 x 40 in

Sunrise, BWCA

Oil on canvas, 16 x 40 in

This painting was inspired by an early morning at our campsite on lake #2 in the Boundary Waters.  The shoreline you see on the horizon, was affected by the Pagami Creek Fire that consumed parts of the BWCA just weeks after our trip in August and September.

I am drawn to the play of light and the reflection on the water's surface, creating some interesting horizontal shapes.  This piece has inspired me to work on simplifying some of the abstract shape in my works.

Daddy's daughter

I've never seen two words bring bigger smiles to people's faces in conversations about the great outdoors than the "BOUNDARY WATERS."  If you've ever been, you know exactly what I'm talking about, that region of northern Minnesota where the loon calls, the mosquito bites, and the paddle is your guide.

I've always been my daddy's daughter...and that probably why these lakes are close to my heart.  Perhaps one of the greatest gifts my dad shared with us kids was this place.  My dad started coming up to the boundary waters when he was 16 years old.  In fact I believe he had to complete a forestry project of planting numerous trees to earn his trip!  Over the years he would find a way to annually escape to those lakes, bringing his wife, brother, nephews, co-workers, boy scouts, and children with him.  We would all be schooled in the ways of paddling, bear proofing, fire building, and fishing!  Four months before my dad lost his battle to cancer, us three kids made one final trip with him.  I remember one night, fireside, dad saying, "Its a place like this that reminds you that God exists."  I think he was right.

Earlier this month, we made our annual pilgrimage to the BWCA.  And this painting is inspired by a sunset on lake #2.  I'm hoping to get a few more waterscapes on canvas before the school year begins!


This one's for you, Dad.

Lake #2- 16x40 in

And like a boat out on the ocean
I'm rocking you to sleep
The water's dark and deep 
Inside this ancient heart
You'll always be a part of me 
 -Billy Joel