Ruby, Painting # 30

Ruby    8 x 8"    $125

Well, it's all over.  Thanks to the skillful photography of my father-in-law (Tom McDermott) and a suggestion from a cousin-in-law (thanks, Beth!), I chose another bird as my final piece for the 30/30 challenge.  I'm delighted to have completed more finished paintings in the first month of 2013 than I did in all of 2012.  I don't have a final count on all the bird paintings I did but I think I have a good start to a bird calendar!

It's been incredibly valuable to have participated in this event and I don't see myself stopping altogether.  Next up is a children's book I'll be working on.  Throughout that project I plan to keep up with these small paintings.  Maybe not one per day.  Maybe one per week.  A treat to look forward to.

Sandpiper, and Only One Left to Do

Sandpiper    8 x 8"    $125

Taken from another of my California photos, one that was unmarked.  I don't know what species of sandpiper it is, but it's one of the sweetest little birds!  Another piece done with no drawing; just the brush, pigment and water.  Lovin' it!

Only one painting left to do for this 30/30 event.  What should it be?  What would you like to see me paint?

Now, for Some DRAMA! Leo Has Arrived

Leo    8 x 8"    $125

Leo, a long-eared owl, is an ambassador at the Center for Wildlife in York, ME, a wildlife rehabilitation facility.  He arrived one day with serious injuries and, although he was cared for and nursed back to health, he wasn't a candidate for release back into the wild.  So he lives at the center and participates in educational programs.  He's quite a character.  I spent a number of visits sitting inside his aviary with him.  It always took a long time to find him but once I did he was a great model; he never moved!  Perched on a branch, he would stare at me the entire time.  Beautiful animal.

This painting was a bit of an experiment for me.  Not sure how I feel about it so your response is appreciated.

Out to Pasture, Painting #27

Out to Pasture    8 x 8"    $125

Been hanging on to this image for many years.  I always wished to be raised on a farm.  The animals, the pastures and yes, the hard work.  But mostly the animals and open fields bordered by forest. Never did get to live on a farm but I see more farm-life paintings in my future.

Pools, painting # 26

Pools    8 x 8"    $125

Some of you know the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island in Massachusetts.  A birder's destination for many around the globe, it has some of the most beautiful saltmarsh habitats which attract all sorts of birds and mammals.  It has some forested sections but it's the saltmarshes and beautiful stretches of beach that draw in so many visitors, both animal and human-kind.  One warm day last October I enjoyed some time there working in my sketchbook in the company of a student/friend of mine.  The painting here is based on one of my watercolor sketches and one photo reference from that day.  I encourage everyone to take a day and visit this important place.  Bring a picnic lunch or get something to eat at one of the handful of restaurants on the island.  Just enjoy the beauty and the birds.

Flare

In Flight    8 x 8"    $125

No drawing here!  Just the brush, pigment and water, the style I love to work in.  It's quick and wonderful.  It's simple and beautiful.  It's very zen-like in that way

So, which style do you prefer?

Two Chickadee Paintings

Enjoying the Thaw    8 x 8"   NFS

Tonight I chose to paint black-capped chickadees but in two very different styles.  Enjoying the Thaw is more of a traditional painting: birds in their habitat.  Some drawing was done first to get shapes right and composition settled.  And the painting, although fairly loose, has more layers and colors.  The next painting is much more zen-like.  You''ll see.
This painting is for my mother-in-law.  She adored a painting we saw together on a weekend trip to Vermont this past summer.  That one was called Enjoying November and it was two, indistinct birds sitting on a branch with predominantly cool blues.  Ever since then I've been wanting to paint something similar for her.  Here it is!