Artist Deb Kirkeeide expresses her great love of nature and wildlife through her captivating paintings. View more work on her website.
As a kid, my passions were drawing, reading, and animals. With the woods and streams as my playground, I spent many hours exploring and searching for magical realms where the birds and animals talked to you and fairies resided.
As an adult, practicality often pushed those dreams into the shadows. I am fortunate to have had a creative career in design and illustration, but it is in painting that I truly feel at home.
Painting has brought me full circle to my childhood dreams of art and nature. The woods still enchant me, and I am unwavering in my belief that true magic resides in nature.
My love for nature runs deep. My paintings explore spirit and emotion through expressing its beauty, telling a story of the natural world and my place within it. Nature has a language. Patterns, rhythms, and animal behavior evoke emotion and personal meaning, often reminding us to incorporate more of it into our lives.
In my world, swaying grasses remind me to dance more. Hawk suggests taking a higher perspective. Ravens bring creativity and magic, and songbirds bring joy and gratitude at the start of each day.
In each of my paintings, I strive to convey this language as I perceive it, capturing the essence and vitality of my subjects through expressive brushwork, color, and texture.
My colors are inspired by nature’s palette, often soft and peaceful but also with an unexpected pop of color where you might least expect it. Each piece is a peek into a world where nature tells a story, and every creature brings a message. Landscapes and flowers often grace my easel, but my love of birds and animals remains a constant source of inspiration.
Someone once commented, “Your paintings aren’t just about the subject; they go much deeper and reveal the wonders around us.” It was more than just a compliment; it was an affirmation of my art’s purpose.
My paintings are more than artistic expressions; they are bridges that connect me to the wonder and stories of nature. They invite the viewer to step into a world where they can connect with the beauty and wonder around them and be inspired to interpret their own stories.
Deb Kirkeeide invites you to follow on Instagram and Facebook.
These are so lovely. Once Upon a Summer Day is my favorite.
Thank you so much for your comment, Martha. it is one of my favorites as well!