July 2022 The weather is getting warmer now each day, bringing the whine of mosquitoes and the droning buzz of deer flies. The only value I see in these pests that bite whenever I venture outdoors is that they do feed the birds and their fledglings. At a nearby park on the river, I sawContinue reading “A Year of Birds: July”
Tag Archives: artist
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”
The Chickadee Tree: Online Art Lesson
I love watching chickadees; in fact, they will land on my pan when I carry seeds out in the early dawn. They will congregate in a nearby pine, waiting for me to put their food out. So, they are a natural subject for a painting. In this blog, I will show how to paint theseContinue reading “The Chickadee Tree: Online Art Lesson”
A Year of Birds: September
The sandpipers are now in their fall plumage, with the spots starting to disappear on their breasts. I feel a bit sad seeing those, realizing that soon they will migrate. The Canadian Geese are gathering into larger groups, and can be seen “practicing” flying together, honking away, then landing, in preparation for their fall migration.Continue reading “A Year of Birds: September”
A Year of Birds: April
By mid-April, the migratory birds are back, and it is a delight to both see them soaring in the air and hear their calls in the trees along the beach. The other day as some friends and I were hiking, we came upon an amazing sight: a group of 7 cedar waxwings was perched onContinue reading “A Year of Birds: April”
Bouquet of Flowers: acrylic painting
I love flowers, and decided to take a photo of some beautiful ones I saw at a friend’s house (with her permission). I found that acrylics are perfect for capturing the lights and dark values. The colors used were ultramarine blue; alizarin crimson; yellow ochre, Hansa Yellow, sap green, titanium white, burnt umber and burntContinue reading “Bouquet of Flowers: acrylic painting”
Egret Painting
I love water birds, and have enjoyed seeing the egrets near Lake Huron in North Michigan. I decided to create a painting to show the beauty of this bird. I used a limited palette (as usual) with this painting: ultramarine blue, Hansen Yellow, yellow ochre, Hooker Green, Titanium white; Burnt umber and burnt sienna.
Meadow Flowers: Learning Acrylics
As noted before, I am starting to explore acrylics. I love the details and vibrant colors. Below is a 16 X 20″ painting on canvas wrap that I just finished, called “Meadow Flowers”. The actual painting is a lot more vibrant; someday I will learn how to do a proper photo. I used a limitedContinue reading “Meadow Flowers: Learning Acrylics”
Sparrow painting: exploring acrylics
Recently, I have been experimenting with acrylics, taking a break from oils. I have a friend who is a wonderful photographer, and with her permission used part of a photo she took as a reference (photo was by K. Gasper) for a bird painting in acrylics. My impressions of acrylic versus oils: I enjoyed theContinue reading “Sparrow painting: exploring acrylics”
Going Home (oil painting)
I love horses, and worked on a horse ranch a few years ago. Here’s a picture of a friend walking his horse (a Tennessee Walker) into the barn at the end of the day. “Going Home” oil, 16 X 20
What Michigan Artists Do in the Winter
The past few weeks it has snowed a LOT. Here’s a picture of what it looks like outside my front door: Since before moving here two years ago, I lived in warmer climates (California, and then Texas), I was amazed by the amount of snow that falls – and stays – each winter. The landscapeContinue reading “What Michigan Artists Do in the Winter”
New Gallery
I am very pleased that some of my art was accepted at Art Reach Center in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. They have some wonderful art there, and it’s well worth visiting if you are in the area. Kim, the Director, is very knowledgeable, and has her own art there. Yay! Now my art is at threeContinue reading “New Gallery”