One of my readers asked if I could share my process in creating a painting, so I decided to take photos and discuss how it is done, from start to finish. While the process starts with field studies, sitting out in marshes and swatting mosquitoes and black flies, I will focus on the painting aspectContinue reading “Process: How to Paint an Egret”
Tag Archives: art
Male Cardinal: acrylic bird painting
I love cardinals, and when I saw this one when I was visiting the zoo to take some wildlife shots (he was hanging around, almost tame, let me get within a few feet of him) I decided to do his portrait. I have learned some interesting things about cardinals over the years. Their feathers areContinue reading “Male Cardinal: acrylic bird painting”
Bobwhite: acrylic painting
Growing up in the country, I used to love to hear the call of the bobwhites from the hedgerows on the country road that led to our farm. I chose to put this one surrounded by orchard grass as he sits on a small stump. Bobwhite: acrylic painting, 11 X 14″ canvas board The paletteContinue reading “Bobwhite: acrylic painting”
White-faced Ibis
White -faced ibis are southern water birds that are small and have a large beak for probing through wetlands. This painting is based on some photos I took of one recently. My roommate and I both think he looks a bit like Gonzo from Sesame Street, and that he is adorable.
Pas de Deux: Sandhill Cranes
A couple of weeks ago, I saw some Sandhill cranes -which I think are absolutely lovely birds – in a field in mid-Michigan. There were three juveniles, and two adults. Then, the adults stated to do the most amazing thing: they began to do a mating dance, right there. I was in awe of theirContinue reading “Pas de Deux: Sandhill Cranes”
Busy Few Weeks: Galleries and Birds
The past few weeks, I have been busy in the field, taking notes and photos, and also visiting galleries in North Michigan. I just signed a contract to be represented by Blue Heron Gallery in Elk Rapids; and was also juried in by the Gaylord Area Council for the Arts (GACA) gallery in Gaylord, Michigan.Continue reading “Busy Few Weeks: Galleries and Birds”
The Importance of Field Notes
I love to paint birds and other wildlife, and to depict them in their natural habitats. In order to create my paintings, I often take field notes and do “quick sketches” on site. I have not shared my sketches because they are quick, rough and my subjects for drawing often move very, very quickly. ButContinue reading “The Importance of Field Notes”
Fawn in the Grass
Last week I was at my friend’s house in a remote area, and a baby fawn came and lay down in a grassy section near some trees. I snuck up on the little fellow, and took a picture; this week, I painted him in acrylics. This took time to do, but I was able toContinue reading “Fawn in the Grass”
Pumpkin Patch: acrylic painting
I have a friend who loves pumpkins, collects all types of pumpkin figurines, plushies, etc. She commissioned me to create a pumpkin patch for her, and this is the result. If you look closely, you will see a tiny ladybug that I put on one of the leaves in front!
Canadian Geese Family
Each morning, there is a family of wild geese that visits the shoreline near where I am staying. I couldn’t resist painting these beautiful birds. Geese on Lake Huron, oils, 11 X 14″
Egret in Wetlands: acrylic painting
Recently, I decided that a smartphone was not adequate for taking bird photos, so I decided to buy a DSLR (Canon) with an extender lens (until I can afford a real telephoto). I then became a bird stalker. Specifically, I began stalking one of the egrets who stays around a nearby marsh. Day by day,Continue reading “Egret in Wetlands: acrylic painting”
Plein aire sunny day study: Garden Statue
It is a sunny day in Northern Michigan, so I decided to do a quick acrylic study of my friend’s garden statue. The daffodils are up; but my acrylics dried really too fast (even with a Stay-Wet palette). So, there were a few lumps in the paint in the end. But I love the gardenContinue reading “Plein aire sunny day study: Garden Statue”