Molly Finished

After getting a good solid chunk of time to work on it, I am 99% done with this painting of Molly. The next stage will be to make the frame. I hope to get up to my friend Don's wood shop this weekend to make the frame. I will be sure to take pictures of the process.


I also included a close up of the Live painting I did last weekend in Tarrywile Park. I named it the Raven and the Oriel.

A few more Birds

I found a sacred spot where the smaller song birds seem to flock, every where you look there is a new one. Here are a few from Tuesday morning.


Ruby Throated Hummingbird


Chestnut-Sided Warbler (a first for me)

Indigo Bunting ( a first for me)

Female Rose Breasted Grosbeak

Bobolink
These Bobolinks are very tough to get photos of and I have gone out several time to try to get a better shot. But no luck, In fact the last 2 times I didnt even hear the call and suspect they may have moved on from the area.

"Live" Painting

Recently I have rediscovered the raw challenge and enjoyment of painting in the field. Packing up the paint, brushes and canvas board and going outside the studio. Nearly all my recent paintings I have been working only in the studio, focusing tremendously on creating photo realism style work that still allows room for creative interpretation. When working outside I feel totally different. There is the search for the spot, setting up and then the actual painting. Many visitors, snakes, bugs, birds and of course hikers. Until now I have been limited as to where I could paint outdoors because I simply don't have a portable easel and would have to find a picnic table or bench to paint on. I fixed that this weekend and purchased a very nice portable aluminum easel. I have yet to use it but look forward to it the first chance I get.

All these thoughts about this type of "Live" painting has me excited. I think if I can use this more spontaneous technique combined with my more photo realistic "Studio " technique I might find a perfect combination of style to call my own. In fact, I plan major website updates towards end of summer where I might split the Painting category into "Studio" and "Live". I think the two styles are different enough to have their own categories. I plan to do many of this style of painting, it seems to allow me to push my artistic limits and learn different techniques that can help in my more studied pieces. Because these paintings take about a day or so to create I hope to be able to sell them for about $200-$400 framed. Any thoughts on this?

TGIF

Happy Friday everyone! Spring is in full swing and rising temperatures and rain have awakened the Earth. I have a few photos to share from this week. First is a shot of a bird that is new to me. The male Rose-breasted Grosbeak, boldly patterned in black, white, and rose/red, is easily identified. The brown, striped female, is more of a challenge to identify. It looks similar to a large sparrow. A common bird of forests and second growth, the grosbeak's song is like that of the robin, but seems mellower and more sweetly melodic. I got this shot at a bird feeder where I work.

Description
* Medium-sized, stocky songbird.
* Large, thick, pale, cone-shaped bill.
* White flash in wings in flight.
* Male distinctive with black hood, red chest, and white belly.
* Size: 7-8 in
* Wingspan: 11-13 in
* Weight: 1.38-1.73 ounces

Sex Differences

Male strikingly colored, with black back and hood, red chest, white rump and belly. Female streaked brown and white.
Sound

Song a slow, rich warble, like a robin that has taken singing lessons. Call a sharp "squeak," like a sneaker on a gym floor.


Painting update:
Molly Stage 6

Painting Update, a few Spring Birds

Scroll down/Click Images to enlarge


Redtailed Hawk Hunting



Morning Doves, Female Northern Oriole,Downey Wood Pecker

House Wren






Stage Five

Stage Six