My Fox painting is just about finished — I should have it done by tomorrow afternoon or so. :) I have been pulling some long hours and been up pretty late for the past few days , but I think it will be a much better painting for it.
Wildscape Magazine
Thanks so much to Wildscape Magazine!! The UK based wildlife art magazine used a number of our paintings to illustrate an article about painting wildlife in miniature. Very nice!! :)
Copycats Copy
I was just notified by a friend of mine that one of my watercolor paintings that I created last year, "Mist – Mute Swan" (pictured left), has been copied, plagiarized, by another artist.
I find it very, very sad that a professional painter (who would know better) would choose to be so uncreative as to copy another artist’s work and ideas — not to mention the kind of role model a person like this is being to the next generation. I am very disappointed and disgusted that we live in a world where adults behave in such an embarrassing manner.
"Lots of people know a good thing the minute the other fellow sees it first." — J. E. Hedges
Work in Progress
I am still working on finishing my work-in-progress. It seems to be going well. :)
Midnight Oil…Um,.. Watercolor
I will be painting very late tonight… (I guess you could call it very early too). I am trying to finish one of my in-progress paintings (to meet a Thursday deadline). Back to the easel…
Family Fun Shoot Event – Pheasants Forever & NWTF
I just returned from the Pheasants Forever and National Wild Turkey Federation’s "Family Fun Shoot". It was great!! I think everyone enjoyed the event. We had a beautiful day for it too!!
I decided to paint a red fox kit for my quick draw/on the spot piece. I finished the color sketch in a little under three hours. The painting was used as the grand prize for the photography competition. Congratulations to the winner!! The photo he entered was very original and creative! :)
New Swan Painting & Work in Progress
I have been working on several existing pieces today. A number of them are almost finished. I am going to start a new painting tonight, another swan piece.
Here’s some information about the Mute Swan on the BBC’s website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/3029.shtml The Mute Swan is native to Europe, but has also made it’s home here in select parts of the Eastern United States.
Stocking Up…
Out of the studio for most of the day today. I did a little stocking up on some outdoor equipment for our next trip to Jackson, Wyoming. If everything goes as planned, I hope to do a little plein aire work in the parks. (I have to decide whether to work in oils or watercolors — maybe both!) :)
Youth in the Outdoors….
My family and I will be participating in a youth event "Family Fun Shoot" this weekend along with one of our "wildlife enthusiast" friends. :) The 5th annual event is sponsored by Pheasants Forever and and the National Wild Turkey Federation and will be featuring many outdoor related professions and hobbies for young people to become involved in. We will be answering questions about becoming a wildlife artists/painters and some other competitions and shows that young people can participate in. I will also be painting an (approx.) 8×10 original piece from scratch to be given away by drawing at the close of the day. :)
Squirrel Painting
I just received a call today that my squirrel painting "Pokin’ Around" that was in the Impressions of New England exhibit at the Bennington Center for the Arts was purchased. :) I am hoping to send them a replacement piece, so I will be working on that soon. :)