Zacchaeus, the Black-Chinned Hummingbird

Oil on Panel, 5"x5"

My brother, John, lives in Southwest Arkansas.  For two years he has had a Black-chinned hummingbird appear at his house.  The bird's range only reaches from California east to the western half of Texas.  So, it is unusual to see this little guy in Arkansas.  My brother named him Zacchaeus for the diminutive descendant of Abraham and in whose home Jesus dined.  

 

South Beach, Evanston, IL

Lake Michigan, Oil on Aluminum, 6"x12"

Beautiful Lake Michigan at sunrise as seen from South Boulevard in Evanston, IL.  This piece took only 2 working session or a total of about 4 hours.  It is small and landscapes are very forgiving with regard to exactness.  

South Boulevard Beach, Chicago, In Progress

 

South Beach, Chicago, Oil on Aluminum, 6:x12

This is my second go at painting on aluminum.  I had bought 6 panels and will use them all.  It's very cumbersome to set something so thin up on the easel.  And, I find no advantage over a cradled panel.  

My friend Tamra while isolating during the pandemic, has been walking daily by Lake Michigan in Chicago.  She posts photos of South Boulevard Beach, which are beautiful.  This is the first session using a photo she took and suggested I would like to paint.  With a few alterations, I have. Thanks, Tamra.  

Sunsets I Have Seen

 

Imperial Beach Sunset, 2020, Oil on Aluminum, 6"x12"

I've been curious about working on aluminum for a while and did so on this piece. My thought was some of the reflective qualities of the aluminum would inform the light, ie, sun, water.  That didn't happen.  I also read after finishing that others gesso the surface. It seems to be popular  just for the light weight of it.  Now I must figure how to hang and/or frame it.  

Conclave

 The Northern Cardinal is very territorial and, as such, would rarely form a conclave.  However, there are documented incidences of them flocking together.  But I assume that is not during mating season.  Cardinals don’t migrate, and they don’t molt into a dull plumage.  So they’re still breathtaking in winter’s snowy backyards. While I didn't depict a female in this painting, they deserve some recognition.  They also have a bright red crest and some red accents.  Only a few female North American songbirds sing and the female Cardinal is among them.  She will do this while sitting on her nest.  

The video illustrates the sessions of work and shows some changes agreed upon by me and the client.  

Conclave, 16"x12", Oil on Panel

The Midas touch

Despite late summer, the Orioles still come to the feeder.  Their song is a delight.  I continue to search for the amazing nests without success.  My summer's work on this piece is complete.  I chose the title from a stanza in Emily Dickenson's poem, Oriole. 

One of the ones that Midas touched,

Who failed to touch us all,

Was that confiding prodigal,

The blissful oriole.

Anchored

 

Anchored, 2020

Oil on Panel, 18" x 36"