Symphony Series: Bald Eagle

I completely forgot to post this painting here.

I finished this Bald Eagle at the beginning of the Summer. :) It was a long time in production. I actually began working on the piece in 2012, but it just kept getting pushed to the back of the ol work-in-progress list. I also have a hen painting that is in the same boat. It was started at the same time as this eagle, and I am going to prioritize it and get it finished by the end of 2013 (here I come holiday break!).

Where I live in Alberta, we have Bald Eagles nesting along the Red Deer River. I see them soaring high in the sky when I go for walks. I wanted to have the same perspective for this painting. I love the contrast of the dark body, white head and tail, and then the bight (and huge) yellow beak and feet.

The reference photo I used was kindly provided by an excellent wildlife photographer from Calgary, Glenn Alexon.
http://www.glennalexon.com

"Bald Eagle Espressiva"
Acrylic on canvas.
60x36 inches.

New Nest Painting

This is the fourth of these nest paintings that I have done. They always take a long time to paint, for their size. It just ends up being a slow process, of building up the texture, creating a three dimensional image with shadows and light, and all the different colours in the straw or twigs or whatever the nest is made of. In the end though, I always really like the way they turn out.

"Northern Mockingbird Nest"
Acrylic on canvas.
10 x 10 inches.
Sold.

Symphony Series / Crow

A new bird painting! This one is meant to be a companion piece to the Cardinal I did a little while ago. http://tempeststudios.blogspot.ca/2011/11/symphony-series-cardinal.html

"Crow Nocturn"
20 x 20 inches.
Acrylic on canvas.

For sale at the Bluerock Gallery in Black Diamond, AB.

Art Card Dump: Fish

A whole bunch of atc's and aceo's that I have created recently. Some of these were created for trade and some are available for purchase through my Etsy site.

- Holiday Koi II
- The Bubble Counters (traded)
- Holiday Koi I (traded)
- On the Up and Up
- Cool Winter (traded)
- Cold Water Fish
- Koikeeper
- Tiny Bubbles
- On The Edge
- Against The Wall
- A Fish Called Cookie (fish bowl series)
- Water Wings (fish bowl series)
* Click on an image to magnify.*

Bird Nests

Here I thought I was giving myself an easy chore in these two paintings. Not so much. They were much harder to paint that I first thought.

Lots of layering. Lots of shading. Lots of colour mixing to make them three dimensional. Also, a surprising amount of pre-planning had to take place in what went where. It was a bit frustrating, but the second nest was a tad easier, since I had worked out many of the bugs on the first.

Robin's Eggs / Cedar Waxwing Eggs
10 x 10 inches each.
Acrylic on canvas.

Available for purchase through the Bluerock Gallery in Black Diamond.

Symphony Series / Cardinal

I am now calling my bird paintings "Symphony", because I have used classical music lables in all the titles. :)

This is the newest edition to the series. A sunny day cardinal.

"Cardinal Choral"
20 x 20 inches.
Acrylic on canvas.

It is for sale through the Bluerock Gallery in Black Diamond, Alberta.

*Click on the image to magnify.*

Birds and Feathers

4 of my newest paintings.

These were created as sets. I have more in the works. More birds with feathers, and a few with butterflys. :)

Pheasant and Grouse Pair - "Sir Grouseman" and "Pheasant Present"
Peacock Pair - "Me Sexy" and "Sex Appeal"

5x5 inches each.
Acrylic on recycled massonite board.

They are for sale in my Etsy shop at the moment.
*Click on the images to magnify.*

New Fish Atc's

The newest fishies. :) Some are for sale in my Etsy Shop, some are for trades. One of these is my 300th card!

*Click on an image to magnify.*

Artist Field Journal / ATC's

I created these ATC's for an "Artist Field Guide" Swap on Iatc's. I had a blast drawing them, and I know I will be creating more. They are so fresh, fun, and rejuvinating. Both to look at and also to create.

I think this will turn into a series, with more cards and also larger drawings. This isnt something earth shattering or groundbreaking. Its not a new idea, I remember creating similar drawings in College, and im pretty sure students all over the world try their hand at this style, but for some reason its exactly what I need as an artist at this time. I dont know how to explain how good this makes me feel, it just does.

*Click on an image to magnify.*

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- Mountain Ash

- Oriental Lily

- Elephant Ear