Category Archives: Michigan

A Year of Birds: April 2023

While still cold, with occasional flurries of snow, the days are finally getting a bit warmer, with temperatures creeping into the mid- to upper-30s at times. While snow is still on the ground, it is gradually melting, and the mornings are misty with the evaporation in the air. The ice is nearly melted on theContinue reading “A Year of Birds: April 2023”

Getting ready for new exhibit

This has been a busy time of year, getting ready for an exhibit in Detroit, and will be taking my art to a new gallery in Grayling. I am also preparing for an art fair in a few weeks. Today, I also delivered prints and painted birdhouses to a gallery in Harbor Springs. Below areContinue reading “Getting ready for new exhibit”

A Year of Birds: March 2023

March has come in cold and blustery, with several inches of snow falling, as if to make up for the warmer weather at the end of February.  Ice has formed on the bay again, and it is bitter cold. One early morning during this cold spell, I saw a group of juvenile eagles out onContinue reading “A Year of Birds: March 2023”

Favorite Photos of 2022: Part 2

Here are some of my favorite photos from 2022 that I took. June: Ruffed Grouse July: Mute Swan July: Two Kingfishers July: Sandhill Crane mother and baby August: Hawk August: Tern with fish September: Blue Heron September: Sandhill Cranes October: Bald Eagles October: Yellow Legs migrating November: Young Eagle flying November: Golden eye ducks migratingContinue reading “Favorite Photos of 2022: Part 2”

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”

A Year of Birds: September 2022

                                        September 2022 The days are still warm at the beginning of September, and there are plenty of bird sightings along the beaches and marshes. Today, on the way into town, I stopped by a local marsh on the river, and saw a pair of Greater yellow legs there, wading and fishing. Then, on theContinue reading “A Year of Birds: September 2022”

Sandhills Flying: Acrylic Painting

I think that sandhill cranes are beautiful birds, especially in flight when the markings on their wings can be seen. This is a fairly common sight over the marshes and fields of Michigan. I decided to paint this pair flying in a deep blue sky to show the complement between their ochre red-orange colors andContinue reading “Sandhills Flying: Acrylic Painting”

Goldfinch in late winter

I think that goldfinches are lovely birds. This past winter, I was house-sitting for a friend (she has three adorable dogs that require special care since they are getting older) and got an unexpected bonus: I saw this little fellow perched on a rail right outside the window. My friend is an avid birdwatcher, too,Continue reading “Goldfinch in late winter”

Family Outing: Acrylic Geese Painting

This summer, I am exploring adding more color to my paintings. While the photo doesn’t do it justice, this one has a lot of cerulean and warm washes of sienna and some greens, and even alizarin – all colors that you can see reflected in the ever-changing waters. It was fun to paint what isContinue reading “Family Outing: Acrylic Geese 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”