Grackle

Grackle, Oil on Board, 8"x8"

The grackles have arrived in force.  They don't stick around too long.  They are voracious eaters that can empty our 3 gallon feeder in a day.  I love the iridescence of their feathers.  This is the first stage of blocking in the values and colors.  This guy has such a fierce look.  

Goldfinch

Goldfinch, 8"x8", Oil on Board

The goldfinch regales us each spring with his beautiful transition from the winter green/brown feathers he wears to the beautiful golden, yellow robe capped with a little black crown.  This guy had just grabbed a thistle seed and was looking to fly away.  

Chickadee

Chickadee, Oil on Board, 8"x8"

I've been working on this painting at the end of each studio day while I finished the Sippican Harbor piece.  I've mostly been playing with the ground color.  You can see the transitions that led from a gray to the last blue.  Fat little thing.

Sippican Harbor

Sippican Harbor, Oil on Board, 18"x36"

I began this painting to exhibit at Anthi's Drawing room during the Marion Art Center's Arts in the Park.  It has taken a different route and is now being considered for display and sale at the Wequasett Resort and Golf Club.  It could still find its way to Arts in the Park should the Resort reject it.  I'm really not confident that the Resort will sell any works.  These attempts rarely ever result in sales.

The scene is from a photograph I took in 1978.  This point of view of the harbor has little changed since then.  

Lilacs in the Mist

Lilacs, Oil on Board, 24"x17"

I made some minor adjustments when we returned from Florida.  Fresh eyes are always helpful.  I darkened the middle ground, brought the ski down a bit, and took out some leaves.  Hopefully this improved the focal point and compositional movement.  The piece is now in the Roger's Gallery awaiting a new home.