Paintings of Wildlife & Nature by Rebecca Latham
Being in the mood for painting a lot of fur, this is the beginnings of a 24in x 36in grizzly bear with the sepia watercolor under painting nearly in place. The rich glazes of browns in the painting are going to be very nice to put in I think. …quite a bit of work involved for this piece, being that I still put in the detail of my other miniature works in spite of this size, but I believe the effects will be worth all of the effort.
Sunday Sketches…
This is a scan from my 8.5×11 sketchbook. The page was a field sketch from an one of our outings in a natural preserve in Minnesota. It was a bit boggy on this trip. …was pleased to find some carnivorous plants.
This is a recently painted little fawn portrait. When working on the piece, I focused on rendering detail in the fur, yet retaining a softness throughout the piece. I also wanted to portray her cautious look at the viewer as she carefully stepped through the grass. Fawn Portrait, 7″x5″, watercolor on board, ©Rebecca Latham
This is a detail view of a new painting, 11in x 14in in sepia stage, of a Bull Bison that I was able to see in the Yellowstone area. I’ve surrounded him with sage, grasses, and the burned out log in the foreground to compliment his dark coat. Loving all of the textures involved in this piece. watercolor on board, ©Rebecca Latham
This is a new painting of blue irises in the beginning stage. Because of the delicacy of the hues and subtle areas of the petals, this was not started with sepia as I normally do. Instead, the under painting is worked in with ultramarine and a mixed soft green.
I saw these flowers blooming during a visit to the gardens in the Minnesota Arboretum. They had such a beautiful display there, in an enormous variety of plants. Seeing them all together seemed dream like. I was drawn to painting this set of blossoms in part due to the evening light’s glow of so many varied blues in the petals and reflected light throughout.
Irises in progress, 9″x12″, watercolor on board, ©Rebecca Latham
The American Kestrel has to be one of my favorite raptors. Dressed in beautiful rusts, blue, cream and gold, it is always fun to paint. This painting places a male American Kestrel perched on the side of a large old growth tree. His eye is caught by the passing Emperor dragonfly.
Fly By – American Kestrel and Emperor Dragonfly, watercolor on board, 12×16, ©Rebecca Latham
The painting will debut at the Artists for Conservation Exhibition in Vancouver, British Columbia during the AFC’s 10 day Festival at the Grouse Mountain Resort and Convention Center held November 4-13, 2011. In addition to the International exhibition, events will include the premier of AFC’s first film, artist demos and workshops, music and more. (Ceremonial Opening and Awards weekend planned for Nov 4-6).
Raven in progress, watercolor on board, 12in x 9in, ©Rebecca Latham
I have always found ravens fascinating. However, until this piece I had never painted one. I am particularly drawn to the patterns of his silky black feathers, reflecting a soft blue sheen that will be in this piece. ….so a bit anxious for the color phase.
A quick announcement… The International Guild of Realism selected my painting of a young girl from the Mdewakanton Dakota Sioux powwow, Little Dancer, for their 2011 exhibition at The Sage Creek Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico September 30 – October 22, 2011.
The opening reception will be Friday September 30, 2011, from 5 to 8 pm. I’ve been told Santa Fe is a wonderful place to visit, I hope some of you will be able to attend the exhibition!
Little Dancer, watercolor on board, 6in × 8in, ©Rebecca Latham
This is a new painting in progress of a bull moose from my travels in Wyoming. We came across two bulls and a cow in one of our short hikes (and a smidge too close for my taste..). I did, however, come away with amazing reference materials and the inspiration from observing them up close and personal in their natural habitat.
I loved the angles and movement in his stance for this piece. Looking forward to moving into color soon… :) ©Rebecca Latham, bull moose, sepia watercolor, 9in x 12in
During one of our trips to an exhibition, we came across these beautiful horses…I immediately knew they would be a painting. One of the delights in this piece was to be able to use such bold golden tones contrasted with the grass and distant cools in the vegetation behind them. This isn’t my usual wild animals that I paint, but loved the variety. Free Spirits, watercolor on board, 12in x 16in, ©Rebecca Latham
I was very pleased to receive notice that my watercolor paintings, Puppy Play and Free Spirits, will both be included in the the 2011 American Plains Artists National Exhibit. The show will be held at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum, Las Cruces, NM September 9 – October 30, 2011. The Opening Reception is scheduled for Thursday, September 8, 6-8 p.m.
The exhibit is being shown online as well (So a preview is available currently). Works may be purchased through the APA website now, and through the museum during the exhibit’s display. http://www.americanplainsartists.com/2011/2011exhibitpage1.htm