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Posts from the ‘Inspiration’ Category

Robin

Robin 8″ x 8″

While working on this painting, I thought that the grey background might be too dark and dull. But I like how it turned out. The grey makes the orange of the robin pop out. Every painting is an experiment. 

For sale on Etsy.

Chickadee

Black-capped Chickadee 8×8

Chickadees are one of the cutest, most cheerful birds around. And they always seem to be so curious and playful. Their little round bodies and happy songs are hard to resist. (Which is why I’ve painted another one, I guess).

House Finch

House Finch 8×8

I don’t see finches very often, so when I do, I feel lucky. As I sit here looking out at the winter rain pouring down, it is nice to think of a warm spring day when I might get to see one again.

For sale on Etsy.

Two or Three Crows

Three Crows 8″ x 8″and Two Crows 3″ x 3″.

A tiny painting can sometimes be a great study for something larger. I painted the 3″ painting with my usual series of tiny paintings for Christmas, then the larger one.

Cardinal

Cardinal 8″ x 8″

Here’s something to brighten up our grey winter. And I finally remembered to take a photo of my work at the Corner Cup.

Spotted Towhee

Spotted Towhee 8″ x 8″     Available on Etsy.

I see lots of these guys in the park, usually foraging under the bushes. Easy to recognize with their beady orange eyes.

Black-capped Chickadee

Black-capped Chickadee 8″ x 8″                                    Available on Etsy

Here come the birds. I am very lucky to live in a place where birds stay year-round. Lots of ideas and inspiration for little bird paintings to come.

Northern Flicker

Northern Flicker 8″ x 8″                                                  Available on Etsy.

When I look at the paintings I’ve completed over the past year or so, I notice a trend. I seem to be going back to the subject matter that I loved throughout my childhood and teens. Horses, pets, birds and wildlife. It hasn’t been intentional. They are fun, and one leads to the next until I have a series of animals.

It’s fun to compare the new to the old. This is a sketch from many years ago.

 

Boy in the Meadow

Boy in the Meadow 8″ x 8″

The boy in this meadow is my son. This is how the meadow looks in the spring with lupines and buttercups blooming. It’s full of birds, insects and frogs, which makes it one of his favourite places.

I had some trouble with this painting. It is an overcast day and the lighting is very flat. I am used to adding dimension with highlights and shadows, but in this picture they are very subtle. I’m not sure I succeeded with this painting – something to keep working on I guess.

Yellow Hills

Yellow Hills 18″ x 24″

I was in Alberta this summer and had some time to appreciate the landscape. From the top of the one of the gentle rolling hills, you can see forever – so different from the view here in Vancouver. In the background you can see the Rochfort Bridge Trestle, one of the longest wooden train trestles in North America.