It’s half-past Winter in Minnesota, and My Work Here is Never Done!

The Weather is What It Is

Mid-January in the northern states equals mid-winter. We’re on the downslope now, we like to believe. It’s been an odd weather winter so I’m not taking bets on what will happen next. As long as the temperatures stay mild, but not too mild – rain and sleet mild – we’re okay.

Winter in Minnesota.

By the way, that’s what we do in non-tropical climates, we open every conversation with a comment about the weather – what it did, what it’s doing, what it is predicted to do today, tomorrow, and for the season overall.

Painting With a Purpose and Trying to Rein in My Graphic Instincts

Wondering about the weather is not all I do. On Tuesday, I finished the last painting in the grouping I created for the Watermark Art Center exhibit in Bemidji, MN. On Wednesday, I started cropping and matting some of the small works I’m painting for the exhibit at The Smallest Art Gallery in Ortonville, MN.

The last painting for the Watermark show is a redo of a painting I started months ago. I’d fallen back into my old graphic ways, making bold marks and filling in the spaces with color. I admit that graphic images make me happy. But the new style (for me) of abstraction makes me giddy. I knew I would cover up the first painting with a new painting. And I did.

The original graphic image I called Mr. Ed and the coverup is called The Day the Tree Fell on My Garden. Please visit my gallery page to see what is available and contact me if you’d like to purchase a painting.

For the exhibit at  The Smallest Art Gallery, I’d planned to show small works on paper, but I think I’m going to add a few small canvas pieces as well. Stay tuned!

Small abstract works on paper.

Here is a teaser for the upcoming book, From Hothouse to Heaven

For those of you who read Blood on the Bridal Wreath, you are likely wondering if Gloria will be back for the new book. I’m happy to report that she returns along with a few surprises. Her story continues in From Hothouse to Heaven. Here is a teaser:

Blue Eyes sat back in his chair and fiddled with his pen. “I have to say, I didn’t see this coming.” He paused, set the pencil down on the notepad, and raised his eyes to Hill. “No, I did not see this.” He closed his eyes in a thoughtful withdrawal and after an extended pause, he spoke again. “The second body they found is …

There is murder afoot in Buffalo View Village!

See you next time. Thanks for reading.