Cutting Up

Found some inspiration in these brilliant red scissors and shadow. Definitely a challenge--I do love the way it came together. Am always surprised at how cool keeping it simple can be.

6x6 on 1/8" museum quality panel

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Napa Bikes

Had an amazing trip to San Francisco and Napa this past summer. I love outdoor adventures, and this is especially true while traveling. My friend and I decided to rent bikes and ride from Napa to Yountville; such a great way to see the vineyards up close while getting a little exercise. We would stop and get photos along the way, and one of my favorites was of our bikes parked in the shade next to these beautiful flowering trees.

9x12 on 1/8" museum quality panel
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A Little Screwy

Wine is one of my favorite indulgences. Thought it might be fun to paint the necessary tool. Can you imagine if you had a bottle and a glass, but no opener?!

6x6 on 1/8" museum quality panel

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Shining Through

This large prism hangs above my kitchen sink. It was given to me two decades ago by a friend and I've always treasured it. The other day I took it down to clean and the sun lit it all up, casting little rays of light under it. It felt quite festive and magical.

8x8 on 1/8" museum quality panel

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Flowers in White Vase

Felt like it had been a bit since I'd painted (or seen!) flowers. These just make me happy.

12x12 on 1/8" museum quality panel

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Custom Framing

I was always told that custom art deserves a custom frame and do actually agree. The great news is that frames can be found (or made!) for so much less today. Because many artists paint on flat panels, these "floater frames" are such a great option and look so amazing.

I ordered this one ready made to fit my 8x8" painting. It came to me fully assembled with wire and hardware. All I had to do was put some super glue in the four corners and set the art in to dry. It looks great and absolutely none of the edges of the painting were covered by frame! Love that!

An Angel (Twice)

Was feeling in the Christmas spirit and decided to paint a beautiful angel two ways. Think perhaps I could have done even more--she was so great to paint. An interesting perspective makes these so appealing to me; I can't decide which one I like better!

Available at www.halliekohnart.com

6x8 on 1/8" museum quality panel

6x6 on 1/8" museum quality panel

Vacay

I know what you're thinking and you're right. There should definitely be a table to rest your drink on.

6x6 on 1/8" museum quality panel

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Table Shuffleboard

My husband and I stopped at this cool bar for lunch while driving through Indiana. We saw this shiny long game table with the light reflecting onto it so beautifully. We just had to check it out.

The game itself is definitely not as easy to play as it looks--that board is quite slippery!

6x8 on 1/8" museum quality panel

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Double Shot

My husband and I had expresso for the first time while in Italy about 10 years ago and have loved it ever since. You'd think it would be bitter and strong, but it is actually sweet and full of delicious flavor. My only complaint is that I always want there to be more!

6x6 on 1/8" museum quality panel
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Church by the Side of the Road

That really is the name of the church! It is the most intimate, quaint little church I've ever had the pleasure of being inside. The happiness felt while painting it has to be just like cooking with love.

9x12 on 1/8" museum quality panel 

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Red Juice

Well, we call it "red juice" at our house, but it is usually pomegranate blueberry or something equally delicious. The sun was shining through it on the breakfast table, and one of my boys pointed the light out to me. It called to be painted and was a very fun challenge. I just love the colors!

I'll bet you didn't know that I have a slight glass addiction. It's true.

6x6 on 1/8" museum quality panel

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Crown of Jewels

There is a historical building that had been boarded up for decades in my town. The building itself has always been a mystery. Recently the building was purchased and restored by a local family. Renovations have been going on for many many months and of course exciting details traveled from ear to ear. What would it look like? Would the original details be restored? When would it be finished? What would it be used for?

There was an open house inviting all of us curious types to come and view the space, which was completely breathtaking, open and restored beautifully to its original splendor. While speaking with some of the purchase family, I learned the style of the building which is Second Empire Baroque (also referred to as Napoleon III) and most popular around 1870. I was definitely inspired and decided to paint the crown of Napoleon III, intricate and jewel-laden, much like this jewel in our town.

12x12 on 7/8" cradled museum quality panel
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Red: Bridge, Wine, & Shins

While visiting my sister, we shopped for a picnic lunch and wine to take to Baker's Beach. I had no idea the view of the Golden Gate Bridge would be this spectacular. There was not one cloud in the sky, and although it was cool enough to be in warm clothes, my shins received a sunburn that lasted for weeks! I just know if we hadn't polished off that bottle of wine I might have noticed! ;)

9x12 on 1/8" museum quality panel
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A Star on Stage

My older son loves star fruit and we had some in the house. The sun was shining and this one just came to life when I "staged" it! Thought it fit the title perfectly and seemed to just glow.

6x6 on 1/8" museum quality panel

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The Union

The Wisconsin Memorial Union ("The Union") is such a great place to sit and listen to live music, have a beer, and be right on Lake Mendota. Anyone who has been there will mention these chairs in shades of yellow, teal, and orange; one is even super-sized for photo opportunities. Such a great college town and Madison is definitely one of my absolute favorite cities.

8x10 on 1/8" museum quality panel
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Silent Typewriter

RC Smith "Silent" typewriter... seems like an oxymoron. I don't remember typewriters being silent, and I think that was one of the best things about them. Something so nostalgic, especially for someone who enjoys writing (typing?) as much as I do.

This was a quick one that flowed from start to finish. Don't think I thought at all, and suddenly--it was done!? 

6x6 on 1/8" museum quality panel

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White Peonies & Satsuma

Went to Whole Foods this past week with my sister and mom. The flower bouquets were outstanding, especially the peonies, and thought they'd be perfect for painting. I also came across this delicious looking fruit with leaves. It looked like a clementine, but a bit larger (not to mention sweet, tender, and just as delicious to eat). It was another fruit considered to be a member of the mandarin family called a satsuma. Thought I'd paint them separately, but am so happy that I put them together.

9x12 on 1/8" museum quality panel

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Net Shadow

Pulled into our driveway the other morning and was so happy to see the early morning sun after many gray, rainy days in a row. The boys' basketball hoop was making a great shadow on the house and thought it would be exciting to paint. I really wanted to get a bit of the actual net in the painting too--I think it's turned out pretty cool!

12x12 on 1/8" museum quality panel
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Male Cones

Months ago I took this photo of what looked like a flower on a large pine tree. Gorgeous colors--I was perplexed about what it was. Looked it up online:

Gymnosperms are seed-bearing vascular plants, such as cycads, ginkgo, yews and conifers, in which the ovules or seeds are not enclosed in an ovary. The word "gymnosperm" comes from the Greek word gymnospermos, meaning "naked seeds". Gymnosperm seeds develop either on the surface of scale or leaf-like appendages of cones, or at the end of short stalks. The largest group of living gymnosperms are the conifers.

So after much research, I found that it's a cluster of male strobili (cones) of pine at the tip of a branch in early spring prior to the release of pollen.

8x8 on 1/8" museum quality panel

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Pearfect

The way the morning sun shines on my kitchen counter is a daily dose of inspiration. Whatever I set there in that sunshine comes alive. Pearfect.

6x6 on 1/8" museum quality panel
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St. Mary's

This church stands out in the original part of town with it's high steeples, and is the church my family belonged to when I was a girl. It's always held a special place in my heart as I clearly remember loving the inside with it's domed ceilings.

9x12 on 1/8" museum quality panel
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I wanted to get a little history on the church.
For those interested the full article is http://nativitymary.org/our-history:

Nativity of Mary Parish began in the winter of 1876, forty years after Henry James established the original plat of the "village of Janesville" and built a log cabin on the east shore of the Rock River. Early in 1876 a meeting was held to consider organizing a second parish in Janesville. On March 3rd, the land for St. Mary, eight rods square, was purchased for $580. On March 14, the contract for the building of a plain, frame church was let for the sum of $2,000. Membership in the new congregation swelled, and by November it was necessary to build an addition to the new church. Work began in the fall of 1900 on a new church, to be built in the High Victorian Gothic style. Janesville's historic chronicle of that year described the new St. Mary Church as "by far the most imposing and handsomest church building in the city. Situated on a prominent section of the city, on high ground, its beautiful design and tall steeple add to the beauty of Janesville's architecture".

Peonies

There is nothing quite as delicious as the smell of peonies. And it is amazing to have cut peonies in the house. Luckily, these come without ants!

8x10 on 1/8" museum quality panel

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Curious Donkey

Whenever we go somewhere and happen to see a donkey, we seem to get so excited. My kids have even started naming them... I was thinking about two animals I seem to paint a lot, and would you believe it is elephant and donkey? It has nothing to do with politics, I promise!

8x8 on 1/8" museum quality panel
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Zebra Back

There is something modern looking and exciting about zebras. Just love the black and white, which is never actually black and white!, and the patterning... This is my second time painting a zebra, and I'm so proud of how loose I was able to be compared with the last one. Stripes are tricky, especially when they curve around a muscular body!

6x8 on 1/8" museum quality panel
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Gingerbread Cookies

With two little boys, we try to have a lot of traditions in our home. One of them is baking and decorating cookies for the holidays. My younger son loves gingerbread cookies, so those are always on the list. I just love the little cast of characters that develop.

12x12 on 1/8" museum quality panel
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Tree Canvas

My family took an amazing hike this past weekend. It was just the perfect weather for hiking, cold with a blue sky and warm sun. There was a fallen tree surrounded by dried leaves that looked just like a canvas. There were green mosses growing on one side and fungi growing all up the other, with the light hitting it just so.

8x10 on 1/8" museum quality panel

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One-handed

We have always been big bike-riders in our family. Like most little boys, my sons both want to ride with one or no hands. I ignore the panic and try to focus on the great shadows they make. :)

8x8 on 1/8" museum quality panel
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Yountville

​When we start entering the colder months and loosing color outside, my inspiration seems to fade some and I struggle a bit more for painting ideas. Luckily we had an amazing trip to Napa this past summer; my friend and I rode rental bikes 13 miles or so to Yountville for lunch. It was absolutely beautiful there! We biked around part of the town and saw so many picturesque places, including this building surrounded by roses.

8x8 on 1/8" museum quality panel

www.halliekohnart.com