"Here's Looking At You, Kid"

Some of you may have noticed that the look of my blog changes with each new post.  I'm still experimenting with design and colors, and am at last closing in on what shows my paintings to the best advantage!

I stopped one day to photograph goats in a field.  They were really so far away that, without a zoom lens, I could'nt get any useable reference photos of them.  This little kid was still young enough to find me a curiousity and walked right up to the fence to take a look at me.

"Here's Looking at You, Kid" is an 8 x 8 inch unframed oil on panel.  He can look at you in your home for $125 plus applicable tax and shipping.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at info@juliekirkland.com.  To see more of my work, visit my website http://www.juliekirkland.com/

October Bouquet

"October Bouquet", 6 x 8 in. oil,  $125

Fall is undeniably in the air and I'm looking forward to the autumn colors and the pleasure I get painting outdoors in the September and October.   The leaves aren't turning yet, so I'm looking through some of the magnificent photos that I took last year, and am painting some of my favorites.  Not only does it satisfy my urge to paint in an autumn pallete, it also makes the fall season seem longer!  "October Bouquet" is framed in a beautiful gold, 3' wide plein air frame.  Tax and shipping apply depending on your location.

If you have any questions, you can contact me at info@juliekirkland.com

Busy at the Easel

My daughter was married in July and since then, I've been very focused on my painting.  So focused that I haven't spent much time on the computer.  I have been working hard to improve my brushwork and color and feel that I'm starting to get a little more consistent results.  My goal is to soon be posting art on a regular basis, but for now I'm staying up to my elbows in wet paint.

Here's a little piece that I did on Friday.  I haven't titled him yet, but it's a late afternoon setting, and he seems to be looking in the distance for a familiar person to run and greet....

I'm now taking dog portrait commissions for the holidays.  If you need a gift for someone with a cherished pet, a painting that captures the animal's personality is a great gift.  Contact me at

mailto:info@juliekirkland.com for more information and you can see more examples of my portraits on my website, http://www.juliekirkland.com/.

My Mug

This week's Daily Paintworks Challenge was to paint your mug.  I sat mine on the sill of my studio window and set about trying to capture the feeling of the sun shining on it. !   "My Mug," 6 x 6 in. oil on panel, $75 plus shipping and tax (if applicable). Or bid on it in my Daily Paintworks Auction..   For more information, contact me at info@juliekirkland.com

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/Artists/jkirkland-51

Leading Her Own Parade

My daughter's wedding was just last week and it was a truly wonderful event. After two weeks of not painting, I'm trying to ease myself back into it!

I'm participating in a show at the Tri Lakes Center for the Arts that opens on August 6th. The show's theme is "I Am Woman" and it will be paintings of women, by women. Marianne Gunter is curating the show and requested that I show my African women's portraits along with anything else I had. I had photographed this little girl at "Territory Days" here in Colorado Springs, and she seemed to have the perfect attitude for "I Am Woman." In real life, she was clutching a juice cup close to her body. I left out the cup, substituted the balloon, and suddenly she was leading her own parade! 8 x 10 oil on panel. Framed. $300

www.juliekirkland.com

Snowy Barn Owl



Several years ago, I went on a terrific artist fieldtrip to the Raptor Rescue Center just outside of Pueblo, CO. It was an amazing opportunity to see all of the eagles, falcons and owls up close and I came away with lots of reference photos. This is a little study (4 x 4" on archival paper) in preparation for a full-length painting that I'd like to do of the owl.
If interested contact me at info@juliekirkland.com or visit the auction on Daily Paintworks.

www.juliekirkland.com

It Takes Two to Tango



I've been working hard to capture the same luminosity in oil that I'm known for in my watercolors and am happy with the results that I got in this piece.  My favorite part is the intense glow in the shadows.  Or maybe it's the orange light dripping over the side of the shadowed tablecloth.  Or maybe it's the leaves on the yellow tomatoes reaching gracefully to each other......   Are you getting the idea that I'm pleased with this painting?  "It Takes Two to Tango,"  8 x 10 inches, oil on canvas panel.  If you are interested in this painting, contact me at info@juliekirkland.com

Bathing Beauty (Reprise)

You may remember seeing this bathing beauty a few weeks ago when I posted her the first time. I was never quite happy with the upper left hand corner of the painting. Yesterday, I changed the dull gray corner by popping in this sunlit summer grass, and the painting really pulled together. Questions? Email me at info@juliekirkland.com. You can bid on this painting by clicking the label below. Bidding starts at only $50.

www.juliekirkland.com

"Kitchen Acrobats"

Ever wonder how all of those dishes and food stack up next to the sink?  Don't blame your spouse, kids or roommates!  It's the Kitchen Acrobats!  8x8" oil on canvas panel, unframed.   For more information, contact me at info@juliekirkland.com
You can see more of my work at www.juliekirkland.com.

To view my online auction on this painting, click on this link:

"Lemons and Daisies," Original Watercolor Painting, Julie Kirkland

Blue and yellow are fresh, happy colors that remind me of cool summer breezes.  And what could be more refreshing than "Lemons and Daisies"?  This 15 x 22" watercolor will brighten any corner of your home! 

For purchase information, contact me at info@juliekirkland.com or visit my wesite, www.juliekirkland.com

"Two of a Kind"

I haven't been doing my little warm up paintings lately because I seem to enter the studio with something else demanding my attention.  This week, I'm trying to start the day with a little 5 x 7" painting like "Two of a Kind."  Oil on archival mat board, $40 unframed plus tax and shipping.
Contact me at info@juliekirkland.com or http://www.juliekirkland.com/

"Bathing Beauty", Colorado Artist Julie Kirkland, Contemporary Realism

Summer is here and it's getting warmer in my studio than I find comfortable--perhaps that's what led me to paint this little gal sitting in that cool, blue water! "Kiddie Pool," 6 x 8 framed oil, $140, tax and shipping included. Questions? Contact me at info@juliekirkland.com.

Updated Slide Show

Today I'm sharing my updated video clip. I hope that you enjoy it! You can contact me at info@juliekirkland.com.

Kit and Kaboodle

SOLD

This week's Daily Paintworks Challenge was to paint a cat photo that was posted and here's my finished piece.  I love the way that the eyes turned out!  4 x 4" oil on panel (shown slightly larger than actual size), framed.  $75 plus tax and shipping. 

www.juliekirkland.com

Colorado Plein Air

Plein air season has arrived for me!  My "happy place" is to be outdoors painting in the sunshine.  This particular morning I was painting at Red Rocks Park in Colorado Springs and produced this little study.  I plan to use it as a color reference for a larger painting sometime. 

Canned Carrots Still Life in Oil by Colorado Artist Julie Kirkland

This week's painting challenge was to paint your vegetables. I was a little intimidated by the lacy leaves on the carrots, but ended up liking the way they turned out.

Self-Portrait

I hope that this doesn't scare you!  I'm one of 10 artists who study with Tim Deibler every other week (http://www.timdeibler.com/).  This week's classwork was to paint a self-portrait, and I fully didn't intend to do so.  I've never been tempted to paint myself at all.  But fate conspired against me as this week's Daily Painters Challenge was to paint, you guessed it, a self-portrait.  Fortunately, the challenge specified that you could be serious or silly.  I grabbed on to silly!  I've had a lot of fun comments about it from fellow daily painters on the site and I feel like it captures a major part of me!  Self-portrait, oil, 8x10.

www.juliekirkland.com

Utah

oil study, 5 x 7"

SOLD

I just returned yesterday from a week in the Provo, Utah area with my "art peeps."  This is our second painting trip together and we enjoyed ourselves so much that we're already planning the next trip.    Most of our time was spent studying fabulous art in Bringham Young University's  Art collection and the Springfield Art Museum.   Halfway through the week, we had an afternoon to paint plein air.  It was a beautiful day, but it was still chilly with wind gusting off of those snowy mountains.

oil study, 5 x 7"

This was my second painting that afternoon.  The first one above was painted with the sun hitting the mountain from the upper right.  When I finished it, I turned around to paint the view behind me.  This view was mostly in shadow with a few spots of sunlight sneaking through.

www.juliekirkland.com

Free Range Fellas

These two look like they rapidly ran to see if the newcomer was there to feed them, but had second thoughts as they got closer. Don't they look as if they are trying to determine if any chickenfeed will be forthcoming? I've been participating in the "Daily Paintworks" online painting challenge. This week's assignment was to paint chickens, and these two caught my fancy. 6x6" oil on canvas panel. $90

If you have any questions, please contact me at info@juliekirkland.com

"Origins", Colorado Artist Julie Kirkland, Tree paintings, landscape paintings

I loved the hazy, atmospheric quality of this scene.  The golden late afternoon light was diffused by all the moisture in the air.  I painted it with two colors plus white:  yellow ochre and black.  "Origins" is a 6 x 8 oil painting on a canvas panel.  $90 plus tax and shipping. If you're interested in this painting,contact me for more information: info@juliekirkland.com . Please visit my website to see more of my work www.juliekirkland.com

"Kathy's Rose" Colorado Artist Julie Kirkland, Watercolor Paintings, Floral Paintings, Yellow Rose

I sat down to post another snow landscape today, but spring is in the air and I want to celebrate that! I just finished this 22 x 22" watercolor and it's being framed for its new owner, Kathy. In fact, I titled it, "Kathy's Rose" in her honor. To see more of my watercolors, visit my website: www.juliekirkland.com You're also welcome to contact me by email with any inquiries. info@juliekirkland.com.

"Winter's Palette" Colorado Artist Julie Kirkland

My favorite winter sight is that of light and shadow playing on red twig dogwood.  I love the way the blue shadows intensify the warmth of the bushes.  This 9 x 12 oil is complete with a 3" espresso colored wood frame.  $395 plus tax and shipping.  For more information on this painting, contact me at info@juliekirkland.com

You can see more of my work on my webiste, www.juliekirkland.com

"Home from School", Colorado Artist Julie Kirkland, Contemporary Realism Paintings, Daily Paintings

Walking down a busy street in Paris, I caught a glimpse of this very charming scene. A little girl was arriving home from preschool and her father was at the open door welcoming her home. I plan to paint a larger version including the father; he just didn't fit on this little canvas! This framed 3 x 4" oil painting is a little jewel and can be purchased for $80, tax and shipping included. Contact me at info@juliekirkland.com
for more information. You can see more of my work at www.juliekirkland.com

"Old Faithful," Colorado Artist Julie Kirkland, small oil paintings, dog paintings, labrador paintings

One more dog!  This yellow lab was sitting so patiently in the back of his master's truck that I couldn't resist painting him!  This 6 x 6 inch oil painting comes framed for $100, including tax and shipping.  Contact Julie Kirkland at info@juliekirkland.com

You can see more of my work on my website: www.juliekirkland.com

"The Sage," Colorado Artist Julie Kirkland, Contemporary Realism, Dog Paintings, Boxer

This older, wiser boxer is the father of the enthusiast that you met earlier this week.  I think that his eyes capture the longsuffering tolerance of a mature father toward his still-a-puppy son.  This 8 x 8 oil can be yours for $250, including tax and shipping.  Contact me with any questions about this painting or if you'd like to talk to me about commissioning a portrait of your pet. Email me at info@juliekirkland.com. You can see more of my work at http://www.juliekirkland.com/

and on my blog, www.juliekirklandart.blogspot.com

Contemporary Animal Portraits, Dog Paintings, Commissions, Daily Paintings, Julie Kirkland,Oil Paintings,Dog Portraits, small dog oil paintings, square format paintings, Colorado Contemporary Realism Artist

"The Enthusiast" Julie Kirkland, Dog Portraits, Colorado Contemporary Realism Artist, small oil paintings

Walking in a wildlife sanctuary one day, two boxers introduced themselves to me by wrapping their leashes around my legs until I was immobilized. It turns out that they were a father/son team and their enthusiasm for the outdoors was contagious. They are beautiful dogs and I painted the son, Jerry, first because I can't resist the life in his face. An alternative title for this 8 x 8 inch oil could have been "The Clown" as I understand that boxers are considered the clowns of the dog world. Hang this painting in your home or office and be greated each day with the bounding delight of "The Enthusiast." $250 plus tax and shipping. Contact me with any questions about this painting or if you'd like to talk to me about commissioning a portrait of your pet. To email me, click on this link Julie Kirkland

Contemporary Animal Portraits, Dog Paintings, Commissions, Daily Paintings, Julie Kirkland,Oil Paintings,Dog Portraits, small dog oil paintings, square format, Colorado Contemporary Realism Artist

"Golden Temptation", Small Oil Painting, Realism, Fruit

This 8 x 8" oil was my first attempt to recreate my watercolor style in oil. Luminescence is the quality that I always strive for and I was very pleased that I achieved it here. "Golden Temptation" can be yours for $250.00 plus tax. Contact me by email for more information: info@juliekirkland.com Please note that I will be traveling March 3 through March 14th, but will respond when I return.

Contemporary realism paintings, apple paintings, Colorado artist Julie Kirkland, daily paintings,paintings on canvas,oil paintings, yellow paintings

"A Windy Day in Pear-is", Colorado Artist Julie Kirkland, Small Oil Paintings, Pears

These three pears appeared to me to be battling a fierce head wind, but I was at a loss for a title. My Facebook friends came up with at least 24 great options, but I loved Genevieve Snyder's pick "A Windy Day in Pear-is." This painting is for sale for $250.00. Contact me by email for more information:info@juliekirkland.com.

Labels: Contemporary still life paintings, daily paintings, Colorado artist Julie Kirkland, oil paintings, canvas paintings, pears

Contemporary Animal Portraits, Julie Kirkland

"Princess" 6 x 6 oil This painting was commissioned as a gift for a collector's daughter who was thrilled when she received it. To inquire about a commission of your pet, contact Julie at info@juliekirkland.com or visit my website http://www.juliekirkland.com/

And so it begins.....

Welcome to the first step in my blogging adventure!  What you're likely to witness here is my delight and my struggle on my journey to become a better painter.  I'll start with my latest exercise, "Plum Crazy."  I'm taking part in a weekly online painting challenge sponsored by "Daily Paintworks."  This assignment was to paint the same thing 8 times, spending only 10 minutes on each one.  I had so much fun that I'm likely to repeat this often!