Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Balancing Act

Balancing Act, 2018.  Oil on Board, 10x10"
As I considered the title for this painting, I began to think of the bird as an acrobat with a ball.  Now, this brings to mind other ideas: hummingbirds as trapeze artists, Blue Jays juggling peanuts, chickadees as high wire walkers.  

I approached this painting using the indirect method.  In the end I only continued with it for the ground and the table top.  I need more lessons.  

Monday, December 17, 2018

Consider the Orange

Consider the Orange, 2018,  Oil on Board, 10x10"


Along the same vein of nesting the bird in or near flowers, I've been considering posing the bird with a food source.  Best would be a food source the bird enjoys as in this Baltimore Oriole and the orange.  Also, I've missed painting still life.  I'm looking at the Golden Age of Dutch painting for some inspiration.  The bird is completely out of context, which should increase the intrigue.  

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Nasty Urchins

Nasturtiums, 2018, Oil on Board, 10x10"
Of late, I have been considering how to move beyond just a bird, a board and some paint.  This past fall I started including flowers from our garden.  The bird subtly appears backstage while the flower takes a bow.  I'm unconvinced that this always works, or even works at all.  

Sunday, December 2, 2018

A Parallel Universe

Chickadee with Hydrangea, Oil on Board, 10x10"
Vern Laux, the late bird expert who reported weekly on NPR, once reported that the Black Capped Chickadee lives in a universe parallel to ours.  I've seen evidence of this when refilling the feeder.  They will flit around fussing and trying to land on the feeder while I refill completely ignoring or ignorant of my presence.  They are a small little bundle of energy, almost warrior like as they rush from feeder to tree in a never ending forage.  

The hydrangea that grows in our yard offers a shelter to the chickadee as well as a perfect mirrored contrast to his rustic rump.  As of late, I am searching for a new way to present the bird.  Thoughts of the bird's habitat and food source are under consideration.