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.  

A Perfect White

Datura with Goldfinch

Where is that little goldfinch you ask.  Look closely.  He's amazed at the white of the datura.  Perhaps the most perfect white one can find in nature.  I grow them each summer just to admire their glow in the evening.  But, be cautious.  They are poisonous.  

In the Beginning was Scream

Crows, Oil on Board, 16"x32"

I've been luring the crows with peanuts each morning.  They gather in the Tupelo and call to one another.  They are so smart and amusing with there cawing.  As spring approached and the Red Winged black birds arrived and began to nest, they would chase the crows away nose diving at them.  

This piece is larger than I've worked recently.  I wanted to be a bit looser and more expressive with the ground than the small pieces allowed.  I'm not so sure about the green, though.  

Sunset over Dune

Sunset over Dune, 2017  Oil on Board, 10x10"

Light in and on the dunes can be dramatic as it reflects and bounces off water, grasses, sand.  The very warmth of the setting sun behind the dunes and on the clouds was a nice juxtaposition to the cool shadows in the grasses.  

The Great Blue Heron

The Great Blue Heron, 2017, Oil on Board 12"x12"

The Great Blue Heron's habitat is pretty wide spread across most of North America and Central America.  Chances are you've encountered one if you were near wetlands or the shores of open water.  I'm fortunate to live on a marsh where we enjoy their company year round.  They are very slow moving and methodical in the hunt.  If startled they fly off pterodactyl style with a loud squawking sound that belies their elegant beauty. When we were in Florida, the tourists had tamed them to the extent they would walk into the house looking for a hand out.  I've seen them swallow a fish many times larger than the circumference of their throat.  It's fascinating the watch that fish shape make its way down the long thin neck.  For me, a painter, the composition offered by the many contortions of the neck is endless.  The stark contrasts of the white head and chest feathers against the blue, black and somewhat mauve feathers is pleasing.  And, the bill, the bill...such a medley of color.  

Crow is Back

Crow, Oil on Board, 12x12"

I've been on the lookout for Crow again.  Driving the streets of Wareham, I look near fast food outlets, condominiums, and strip malls.  I've discovered that the Murders follow a structure of time and place.  They like to visit Burger King and CVS around 4pm.  In my neighborhood they are more active in the morning, sometimes waking me with an early day call.  Wherever they gather, they group and fly hither and thither cawing loudly, landing as one, seeming to debate constantly and once again taking flight.  To photograph them is a challenge.  The light must fall from the front or they become a silhouette.  Then once in the studio, the transformation begins.

Crow, Oil on board, 12x12"

The Black Capped Chickadee

Chickadees, 2017  Oil on board, 10x0 Inches

The black capped chackadee is a most amusing little bird.  It chatters constantly, seems oblivious to human presence, and quickly flits from feeder to branch where is cracks open the provided sunflower seed.  At 5-6 inches, the bird seems much smaller with its little fat round body and 2-3 in tail.