The Family Complement: Acrylic Painting

I saw some sandhill cranes with gray plumage several months ago, and decided to create a painting that highlights the complementary tones between their gray-blue plumage and the rust colors of the autumn grasses. “The Family Complement”, acrylic, 16 X 20 inches.

Mallard in the Marsh: Acrylic painting

I have been experimenting with doing paintings with a very limited palette (ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, burnt umber and titanium white). This is a mallard in the marsh near misery bay, during the fall when the grasses turn beautiful colors.

Morning Visitor: acrylic painting

I have been experimenting with painting lights and darks, using a limited palette of yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt umber and titanium white. This little sparrow was sitting on a rock in my yard recently, and I wanted to capture the moment. Moments like this remind me of the beauty of God’s creation.

Chickadee on Wild Roses: acrylic painting

“Chickadee on Wild Rose Arbor” acrylic 11 X 14 inches. I have a friend who has a beautiful arbor with wild roses that grow on it. A few months ago, I painted this picture, with a chickadee sitting as they often do on it. It is a nice reminder of the late summer time!

Tern Fishing on Lake Huron

I love it when the wind raises on Lake Huron, and the waves come crashing in. This painting is of a tern fishing on a windy day in a bay off of the lake. I spent nearly an hour a couple of months ago watching him swoop into the water and fly back out, fightingContinue reading “Tern Fishing on Lake Huron”

Art commission: Summer Beach, Lake Huron

Recently, I was commissioned to paint the shores of Lake Huron to be a Christmas gift for someone who wanted this reminder of fun times with a friend this summer. This is late summer, with the goldenrod blooming (no birds, either!) This painting was done in acrylic, and I enjoyed painting it with my usualContinue reading “Art commission: Summer Beach, Lake Huron”

Heron in the Marsh: acrylic painting

A few months ago, I found a heron in a marsh off of Misery Bay, and wanted to paint him. I used sgraffito technique for the grass, and wanted to experiment with getting a sense of light on the water. This was painted using my typical palette of ultramarine, yellow ochre, yellow hansa, burnt umber,Continue reading “Heron in the Marsh: acrylic painting”

Egret Flying Over Lake Huron: Acrylic

I am playing a bit more with color this summer, because Lake Huron is beautiful, and has constantly changing colors. This is based on a recent sunset, and I added alizarin and Hansa yellow to my usual palette, as well as a touch of orange, to capture the sunset highlight. Egrets are beautiful birds, andContinue reading “Egret Flying Over Lake Huron: Acrylic”

Kildeer on the Beach: oil painting

Kildeer are beautiful little birds, and I love watching them on the shores of Lake Huron. In this painting, I wanted to re-create a sunny day with the kildeer in typical postures. I used my usual earth-toned palette, but added cerulean and a touch of cadmium yellow to it.

Sandhill Cranes: Acrylic Painting

I love sandhill cranes, and am always awed when I see them gather in the grassy marshes. This painting reflects how these beautiful birds make me feel. I used my normal palette of earth tones.

Yellow Legs in the Evening: Acrylic Painting

I saw this wonderful little bird in the marsh a few weeks ago. They stop here on their way north to Canada, and I always enjoy watching them feed in the evenings. This painting was done with acrylic, using my usual palette. I wanted to show the fiery glow on the still brown marsh plantsContinue reading “Yellow Legs in the Evening: Acrylic Painting”

Chickadee on the Well: acrylic painting

As a Michigan artist, one thing I have learned to paint is snow in various lights. This is a painting of a chickadee, sitting on a friend’s snow-covered well cover. I did get a bit experimental, using alizarin crimson in some of the snow shadows. Otherwise, I used my normal palette. I love to watchContinue reading “Chickadee on the Well: acrylic painting”