The Berkeland Studio

Berkeland vs. Vermeer

This photo popped up on Facebook the other day.  Someone put the painting of Marion that I did several years ago side by side with the famous Vermeer, girl with the pearl earring.  I guess there are some similarities.  Really, though, it's just a coincidence. 

Summer at the fishing hole

If you've been over to the house for pastries or bread anytime in the last year, you've seen this painting in the back of my studio just waiting to be finished.  Well I finally finished it.  And it's for sale!  It measures 50" x 40".

Another Girl

Here we go again!  Quinn Evelyn Berkeland was born April 12.  That makes three little ladies.

Tessa (2), Quinn (0), and Molly (4)

A new studio, a fresh start

Time to get back to work on the painting career.  I took a little sidetrack over the last year to concentrate on my family and on building up a bakery.  With a recent move into a new house with more space, it's time to throw painting back into that mix.  And here's the studio where I'll be doing it!

Passing through Chianti

Here's a painting I did from a blurry photo that I snapped many years ago while driving through a field of sunflowers in Chianti.  Measures 24"x58".  Contact me for availability.

Once a Painter

I'd been telling people for years that if I didn't find a way to get back into the food world by the time I was old, I'd certainly count it as one of my regrets.  Once I became a father, the art studio became a lonlier and lonlier place and I often daydreamed about building something more akin to a "family business".  Of course it would involve food.  On a random day a little over a year ago, I pulled the trigger and launched Back Porch Bakery.  I set the brushes down, and started baking bread for the neighborhood.

My goal was to diversify.  Paint AND bake.  As the children grew and the baking took over, though, my humble little art studio got crowded out.  You try to paint in a corner your dining room surrounded by high chairs and inundated with Alvin and the Chipmunks performing the latest Katy Perry single.  Not gonna happen.

But big changes are coming this month.  We are moving into a bigger house (only three houses away), and I'll be able to setup a dedicated art studio once again.  This webpage will soon wake up from its' hibernation and the colors will pop once again.  All of that AND delicious croissants. 

New paintings are coming soon ...

 

New Prints

These two paintings are now available as Fine Art Prints.  You can see the full list of available prints here.  Larger sizes and alternative sizes are also available upon request.

Poly Canyon Pasture

I can paint these Central Coast hills forever.  It always takes me back to the running days.  It's the closest I can get until I can whip these achilles tendons back into shape.  I've got some new running shoes, though!

This one is at The Vault Gallery in Cambria, CA.

From the top of Perfumo Canyon

Measures 48"x48".  SOLD!

Poly Canyon Meadow Sunset

Measures 48"x48".  SOLD!

Montana de Oro Morning

Montana de Oro Morning, 12"x36"  SOLD!

Poly Canyon Sunset

Sunset from the top of Poly Canyon, 12"x36"  SOLD!

Top of Perfumo Canyon

Top of Perfumo Canyon 1, 24"x24" (Available from Fiona Bleu)

Top of Perfumo Canyon 2, 24"x24" (Available from Fiona Bleu)

 

Recently Sold

Golden Peak in Poly Canyon, 48"x48"  SOLD!

Poly Fishing Hole 2, 48"x48"  SOLD!

Putting frames together i the yard

Twitter

If you really, really have nothing better to do, you can go ahead and follow me on Twitter.  I talk a little bit about painting but mostly I just spout things that pop into my head while I'm sitting here with my canvases.  Cooking, food, politics, news, or whatever random rant I get off on.  It's mostly just a look inside to how I procrastinate.  I warned you.

More Eucalyptus Trees

4th Hole at Morro Bay, 36"x48" (Available from Fiona Bleu)

Eucalyptus on Madonna, 16"x40" (Available from Fiona Bleu)

On Facebook

Visit my artist page on Facebook and become a fan (or Like, or whatever the latest way of doing that is).  I tend to get updates up on Facebook a little quicker.

Spooner's Cove

Spooner's Cove at Montana de Oro State Park.  Measures 24"x48".  Available from Fiona Bleu in Morro Bay.

How to Commission a Painting

If you ...

1.) have an idea for a painting, and ...

2.) like the way I paint ...

then you might be ready to commission a piece of your own! 

    I've done portaits, weddings, logos, memorable places and events, and even a few pets.  I'm open to discussing any idea.  Very often it is a welcome challenge to approach the canvas in a way I may never have otherwise.

    Each project is different, but in every case I work with the client to understand the idea through photos, sketches, and verbal description.  Once we are in agreement on a direction I ask for a 50% payment. Pricing is roughly the same as the gallery pricing on original work.  Then I get to work.  I give myself 3 months to finish the piece, but it is often completed in much less time.  Upon completion and once final payment is received, I'll ship the painting to you.  I offer a simple frame of my own, but I'm also willing to work with you on more elaborate framing and hanging schemes.

    If this sounds like something you'd like to talk about further, please contact me at (661) 210-8811 or by emailing danberkeland@gmail.com.  I look forward to hearing from you!