I got up early this morning to go to work on my barred owl painting for the Whistle Pik Galleries niniatures show (Christmas Miniature Show). I am bringing out all of the delicate feathers on the face area right now. I think it will be complete soon. :)
Painting Small….
I don’t normally post photographs like this on my blog, but I thought this was such a georgeous foggy morning — so inspiring!! This is the sunrise that greeted me as I began working today.
I am painting on my smaller pieces again today. :) Photos to come….
Remembering Spring – Field Sketches
I’ve been going through my sketchbook a little today. Here is a rough field sketch I made earlier this spring when the bloodroot was just starting to bloom. I really love getting out in the forest early in the year to see all of the new wild plants peeking out of the leaves.
Clay!!
My clay for my new sculpture arrived today. I am beginning to plan out the design of my bronze — it will be a horizontal piece. The animal in the piece will be about 12-14 inches from nose to end. I am excited to get going on it!!! :)
Studio Visitors – Songbirds
I had a few visitors to my studio today — The songbirds just found a few birdfeeders outside of my studio that I put out for them. I am hoping this will help me gather references and study them more easily since they will literally be right outside my window .
Below is a sketch I made in my sketchbook of one of my new visitors.
Some of Us Take Breaks…
My painting assistant taking a little break to watch the wildlife outside.
Painting in Progress – Owl Miniature
I am trying to finish up on my Barred Owl watercolor painting for the Whistle Pik Galleries Christmas Miniature Show in Texas. Here’s a photo of how the piece looks at the moment. :)
New Adventures in Clay and Bronze…
Well, I’ve just ordered some sculpture tools and clay from the art supply store today. Bronze will be a new adventure for me! A number of respected western artists made both paintings and bronze works and were very successful at it, so I suppose I could give it a try. :)
I did dabble in clay and plaster sculpture a few years ago when we taught classes in our gallery, but I hadn’t thought to actually become a "sculptor" until recently. The blame for that really goes to a few friends of mine ;). Some time ago, Shawn Stewart was a resident sculptor at a gallery I was in and really encouraged me (and the rest of my family) to try bronze, but it wasn’t until Bill and Scott from Galleries West in Jackson Hole (where I currently show my paintings) talked to me about it that it sounded like a realistic possibility. So…. I will be starting with a large game mammal, and we’ll see how things develop!!
Minnesota Ducks Unlimited – Sponsor Print Painting
I have been painting the reflection portion of my Canadian Goose piece for Minnesota Ducks Unlimited earlier today.
This piece will be printed later this year as Minnesota Ducks Unlimited’s Sponsor Print. The original and it’s limited edition will be unveiled to the public at the state’s annual banquet. Visit Ducks Unlimited’s website -www.ducks.org- for information.
Painting in the Rain
It’s been raining for most of the morning. I love painting during thunderstorms (but inside my studio, not outside plein air ;) )!! It’s so relaxing!
I have been painting on my large Canada Goose piece today — it’s about half finished. I’ll post a photo of the full-color painting a little later. The sketch for the painting is featured on the left.
I am also still working on my four 9×12-ish miniature/small works paintings. I have been working primarily on my new owl piece — the Barred Owl portrait. It is coming along well. I think I will be sending it the Whistle Pik Galleries in Texas for their annual Christmas Miniature Show that my family and I are a part of.
I really like painting in a variety of sizes at the same time. I feel it stretches your abilities. Handling variety in your work allows you to grow as an artist — leaving your creative options limitless. I couldn’t imagine being restricted to painting only a certain way, size, or subject — it would make painting a tiresome chore, for me. I suppose it could be summed up that art shouldn’t be boring. :)