Alaskan Raven Studio

Art in Alaska. Story of an Alaskan artist.

  • About Raven
  • Paintings and Prints
  • Ravenistas
  • Studio
  • In Private Collections
  • Raven Ramblings

A Poet’s Homestead

October 15, 2017 by Raven

He built the cabin on his homestead in 1947. Lived off the land. Trapped. Survived harsh winters. He was trained as an artist and planned to paint in Alaska but his paints froze so he ‘drew’ with words instead. Prose and poetry earned him awards. Fellowships. National recognition.

My friend and I hike around his 160 acrea homestead. We have the current owners permission to explore and paint for the day. An empty writing studio sits quietly high on the side of a hill guarded by golden aspen. The creek where he gathered water is below the collection of buildings near the remains of the old Valdez trail. Hidden remnants of an ancient bridge gave up it’s timbers for his cabin. He talked about that bridge in his book. My friends sharp eyes spied it.

It was a fried ice cream kind of day, hot and cold at the same time. Sharp biting autumn wind calmed into warmness by sunshine.

We walk around the small collection of treasured buildings. A great American writer made these well worn paths. John Haines. He built these small buildings. Wrote and watched seasons pass here. His ashes were carefully placed at the top of the hill. His voice is in the aspen leaves rustling in the wind, whispering his poetry

We spend hours painting and listening and letting sunshine take away the chill of the autumn.

leaves

abandoned
bird
nest above
red door

aged timbers
release
secrets
to the wind

laughter and song
remnants
hide
in corners

well trodden
paths
lead us
in and out

Autumn breezes
whisper words
and
usher us away

with the leaves.

Filed Under: Painting Journal Tagged With: adventure, Alaska, artist, autumn, cabin, homestead, John Haines, poem, watercolor, writer

Prince of the Arctic

September 19, 2017 by Raven

Kroma Bear: Prince of the Arctic
6′ x 4′ painting on Sky Cloth by Raven $1500.
sold

Prince lumbered all the way down to Dallas, Texas to be with his new Ravenistas. I am thrilled they are giving him a good home.

I love Texas. My dad was born in that big and beautiful state. I’ve noticed  Texans have big and beautiful hearts.

Prince looks tough but is truly tame. Most of the time.

Filed Under: Painting Journal, sold

Denali and the Raven

September 19, 2017 by Raven

Denali and the Raven
24″ x 36″ oil painting $1800.
Sold

Snow and rock sculpted into the largest mountain in North America.
Are you intrigued by Denali too?

My fear of heights makes it hard for me to drive on the road inside Denali park. Does looking down into canyons bother you?

If it does, let’s relax and soar with this raven.
Above it all.
Above and away from our fear of heights.

Do you feel the freedom?

Prints are available in lots of different sizes.  Click here.

Filed Under: Painting Journal, sold

Did you say Mango Bears?

July 27, 2017 by Raven

Yes, Mango Bears. A friend of a friend suggested the name ‘Mango’ to me during the May First Friday. The name fits like a glove on a paw. The bears approved it and now it’s official. The little paintings that start as whimsical play are now called Mango Bears.

What are Mango Bears? Surprising colors and playful bears with names that suit them. They tell me their names. It’s as clear as a tree falling in the middle of the forest.

My first Mango Bear emerged one day when I was experimenting with different colors on a small canvas. The finished painting made me smile when it greeted me from the studio in the morning. I started a second one right away. I even worked on one in Florida. The colors of the bright pink flowers invaded the canvas and “Tropical Bruin” was born. “Mango Bear: Theo” ran out the door as soon as his paint dried. His Ravenista told me that her whole family enjoys his antics.

What is it about these silly ole bears? I’ve painted for many years. Studied, practiced, struggled, succeeded, failed and tried again. I’ve been encouraged, discouraged but kept coming back. Paint is my language. It is my passion. I love to work on large paintings and make dramatic swooping brushstrokes but when I play with pigment on small canvas and see a small bear face appear, it takes me back to the little girl inside me. She dabbles with paint and loves to see color swirl and mix. Mango Bears make me smile. Do they make you smile too?

Mango Bear: Theodore

His Ravenista family is traveling around the world right now. He is looking forward to their arrival so he can get settled into his new home.

 

Would you like to meet MB Sabrina?

 

Filed Under: Painting Journal

Two Wild Fridays

July 27, 2017 by Raven

Two First Fridays in a row was exciting. Alaska House Art Gallery, Fairbanks in May and Stephan Fine Arts, Captain Cook Hotel, Anchorage in June.

When I saw my paintings displayed on the walls of the gallery, I was reminded of seeing our children at a graduation ceremony. They look different. Grown up and formal and independent. They sparkle. We go through a lot with them as they grow and change. But now it is done. It is time for reflection and celebration!

Sharing this experience with others made both evenings perfect. Connecting. Art does that for me. My paintings speak to others when it gives them joy. We connect through the language of color and brushstroke and emotion. It’s a connection that keeps my creativity flowing and encourages me to run back to the easel.

Thank you Ravenistas and to everyone who came and enjoyed the festivities with me!

Filed Under: Painting Journal

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • Next Page »

What’s New?

Receive the inside scoop of what’s happening in Studio Notes,

Raven Ramblings

A Poet’s Homestead

He built the cabin on his homestead in 1947. Lived off the land. Trapped. Survived harsh winters. He was trained as an artist and planned to paint in Alaska but his paints froze so he ‘drew’ with words instead. Prose and poetry earned him awards. Fellowships. National recognition. My friend and I hike around his […]

Prince of the Arctic

Kroma Bear: Prince of the Arctic 6′ x 4′ painting on Sky Cloth by Raven $1500. sold Prince lumbered all the way down to Dallas, Texas to be with his new Ravenistas. I am thrilled they are giving him a good home. I love Texas. My dad was born in that big and beautiful state. […]

More Adventures

contact me with questions or comments

Alaskan Raven Studio
PO Box 80231
Fairbanks, Alaska 99708
USA
alaskanblackbird@yahoo.com

 

Represented by:
Well Street Art Co.
1302 Well Street
Fairbanks, Alaska
907 452-6169

Stephan Fine Arts
939 West 5th Ave.
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
USA
(907) 274-5009
http://www.stephanfinearts.com/

more about Raven

I ventured to Alaska before there was an oil pipeline and fell in love with the gnarly spruce trees, intense weather and mountains I could touch. Very different from the landscape in St. Louis. I was looking for different. The spruce trees: those scraggy, wizened, lanky conifers danced onto the first page of my sketch […]

  • About Raven
  • Paintings and Prints
  • Ravenistas
  • Studio

Copyright © 2025 · Modern Portfolio Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in