Art in Alaska. Story of an Alaskan artist.
I drove thirty nine miles out of town this week and did an oil ‘sketch’ of a pond and beaver dam. Painting is a great excuse to sit quietly and enjoy the landscape while surrounded by bird songs and watching ducks float by. The light kept changing as the sun hid or came out from behind the clouds. I was intrigued by this beaver construction but didn’t get to see the architect that day.
Quackers was bored in Creamer’s Field Monday evening. He and his mate came over to the parking lot to see what was going on. They waddled around along the edge in the grass and then onto the concrete. I was worried they might get hit by a car, but no, they were careful and then waddled back to the field. They just wanted to go for an evening stroll. 
The ice is gone but I’m still celebrating the miracle of this season’s change. Here is one more painting of the ‘last of the ice’. This one is of the Chena River from the Nordale boat landing.
Choosing a frame is a challenge. You need the frame to protect the artwork but it also creates a ‘stage’ for the painting or drawing. It is interesting to see how a frame changes the painting and adds to the total experience.
Choosing the right frame takes time but it is worth it. Frames are the ‘fine furniture’ for your walls. Paintings and the frames are the first thing you see when you enter a room.
Take a look at this recent watercolor that I painted of two swans.
When you look at the photo below of the painting framed, it gives a better idea of the size. It’s a full sheet of watercolor paper, 22″ x 30″ but that is hard to imagine until you see it above the couch.
A watercolor should never be in direct contact with the glass. The matt keeps it back from the glass slightly and protects it. A double or triple matt adds color and interest. I chose a metal frame because it reflects and shimmers like water and ties into the theme.
The swans are in Creamer’s Field for such a short period of time. I’m glad that I ‘caught’ them in this painting.
More information about this painting of the pair of swans is at this link.
8″ x 10″ oil painting of the north fork of the Chena River from one of my plein air adventures in April.
The wood frame with gold leaf edging makes the painting feel cozy and welcoming. It complements and balances the color and makes a very pleasing combination.
More information about this painting is at this link.
I finished one of my paintings from the North Fork of the Chena in the studio last week. I needed to adjust the colors and brushstrokes a little bit since it’s hard to see when I’m painting on location.
The blue water and deep shadows contrasting with the bright white ice attracted me to the subject. I wanted to paint the ‘last of the ice’. It melted as I painted so I had to move fast. The muted orangeish-red tones of the willow and alder contrasted nicely with the dark spruce.
Painting Plein Air
April 23, 2014
Spent the day at the North Fork of the Chena watching ice flow by while painting. 39.4 Chena Hot Springs Road. Warm sunshine and huge mosquitoes. The first mosquitoes are very slow so it wasn’t too bothersome. It was a perfectly beautiful day.
contact me with questions or comments
Alaskan Raven Studio
PO Box 80231
Fairbanks, Alaska 99708
USA
alaskanblackbird@yahoo.com