Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Three Doves



Three Doves

The past winter and now this spring we have had an abundance of Mourning Doves at our feeders. It has given me an opportunity for lots of observation and photography. I have consequently decided to do a painting using some of those materials. Once I have decided on a basic idea I go from sketchbook to computer to work on the design. I scan in sketches and download photos. The computer then gives me incredible flexibility in designing the painting. I can change sizes, colors and compositions much more quickly than if I had to sketch each new thought. Shown above is the computer sketch that I decided upon to use.



The next step is to do a drawing of the composition, transfer that to the board, (I use gessoed hardboard to paint on), do a tight rendering and seal that with fixative. The next step is to put a thin wash of color over the drawing. I will be doing that in the next couple of days.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Mourning Dove



Thanks to all who bid!

Mourning Dove Painting
This painting is 6 x 6", oil on board, unframed

SOLD

Doves the world over are most commonly thought of as a symbol of peace. The Mourning Dove is one of the most prolific and widespread of all birds in America and breeds throughout the United States and southern Canada. Other species of doves are also found in the United States, including the White-Winged Dove, Inca Dove and the Common Ground Dove. The Mourning Dove's soft, low coo is most distinctive. We like to think he is saying "Peace, Peace, Peace."

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Raven Painting



ebay listing

Raven Painting
This painting is 5 x 7", oil on board, unframed

SOLD

The magic and mystery of the Raven is evident throughout literature and folklore the world over. There is a Native American legend that tells of the Sun, Creator of All Things, considering the Raven to be the smartest of all animals. A British legend tells us that as long as Ravens live in the Tower of London, Britain will not fall.

No Ravens visit us here in the Ohio River valley, but Mark and I spent many hours observing them in a remote location in Yellowstone, where they had no fear of but rather seemed genuinely curious about us. Ravens are loyal, considerate mates, devoted parents and certainly can teach us a thing or two.

Bernd Heinrich's 1999 book "Mind of the Raven" is fascinating. Heinrich is a biologist who has traveled the world studying Ravens and even becomes a "Raven father" when he adopts some.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Woody Woodpecker


























Woody Woodpecker

This morning I was working at my board when I heard that unmistakenable sound of a Pileated Woodpecker. I looked out the window and there he was on the suet feeder. We rarely have the Pileateds come to the feeder so this was a great treat. I was able to get some photos which should make it into a future painting. Last spring we had a pair in the yard for a few weeks. I thought they might be nesting in the area but never found any evidence.

Something interesting I learned last week was that the cartoon character Woody Woodpecker was not based on a Pileated as I and many others had thought. Walter Lantz, the animator who created Woody, based his character on an Acorn woodpecker which he and his wife saw while honeymooning in California. It made such a racket and was so amusing that his wife suggested someday he should turn it into a cartoon character.

My next oil painting offering on ebay will be this Thursday.



Monday, March 23, 2009

First ebay Listing


























First ebay Listing

Blue and Yellow Macaw
This is my first ebay offering. The painting is 6 x 6", oil on board, unframed.

SOLD

The Blue and Yellow Macaw is a member of the Neotropical parrots. It lives in the forests and woodlands of South America. The macaws numbers are falling in areas of its northern range due to habitat loss but remains widespread in mainland South America.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

First Sign of Spring



First Sign of Spring

Spring arrives on Friday. For us it was last week when the grackles arrived at our feeder. Every spring the grackles, starlings, cowbirds and redwing blackbirds spend a couple of weeks crowding out the locals at the feeders - the cardinals, chickadees, titmice, mourning doves, carolina wrens, sparrows, nuthatches, downy and red-bellied woodpeckers and even blue jays - before they continue on their migration north.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Welcome

Welcome to my blog.

The purpose of this blog is threefold. First it is to introduce you to my working process. I will be showing the progress of my paintings from the beginning sketches through the final painting. Secondly, I will illustrate through my photographs how I experience the basic design elements - point, line, plane and color - in nature and their relationship to my painting. Lastly, I will be posting small oil paintings for sale on ebay. The first will be listed on Sunday.

In addition, Alice will add a more personal touch with her musings.