Mama's Purple Irises

 

Mama's Purple Irises, 2021, Oil on Panel, 8" x 8"

My mother loved purple, anything purple. The above painted irises are the descendants of her mother's many varieties of which my mother continued to propagate.  The purple were her favorite, and she sent me home to Massachusetts with a suitcase full of rhizomes dug out of her Arkansas garden.  Among the many that made the trip, I was lucky enough to have these purple.   

Fat Finch #2

Fat Finch #2021, Oil on Panel, 5"x5"

 

This is the second painting of my round friend here.  Finches can have great variety in their form.  They can be long and thin, round and plump, petite and delicate.  It all depends on how they pose.  

American Kestrel

American Kestrel, 2021, Oil on Panel, 5"x5"

 

I met this fellow at the Audubon sanctuary in Canton, MA.  They were hosting an event with Canon cameras.  We took a walk through the sanctuary grounds, and then witnessed birds brought in from a bird rescue group.  We were a small group and able to get close to the birds for photographing.  These were raptors that were injured beyond rehabilitation.  Most of the injuries were due to car hits.  The kestrel is a small falcon, 9-12 inches. This guy is a male identified by his slate blue wings and head. 

Night Visitor, 2021

Night Visitor, 2021, Oil on Panel, 12"x12"

 

A Tapestry, A Work in Progress

Eastern Screech Owl, Oil on Panel 10"x10"

I believe I've solved the problem of the branch on which the owl is perched.  It now seems to be attached to the tree in back.  I increased the texture of the tree on the right to see how far I should push that.  The original goal was to have the owl "emerge" from the tree as they do in real life.  But, as usual my tendency to slip into realism has taken some control.

 

A Tapestry, a Work in Progress

 

Eastern Screech Owl, Oil on Panel, 10"x10"

In the warm evening months, we can hear a screech owl outside our family room.  The first time I heard it, I thought there was a horse whinnying in the yard. I've looked on occasion for its home to no avail.  It truly in part of the tapestry.  

A Tapestry Work in Progress

 

Northern Screech Owl, 10"x10", Oil on Panel

The Copley Society of Art has called for small works with the theme of Tapestry.  It came to mind that the Screech Owl is so camouflaged in its environment as to appear almost a tapestry against it.  I photographed this owl at the Audubon Sanctuary in Canton, MA.  It was a rescued owl that could not be released.  This is a different way of working for me: loose, wet into wet, thick with undefined edges.  I'm not crazy about the flatness of the black.