Owl Surprise

This is a little 6"x6" painting on masonite that I did from a photo that was taken from a motion activated camera near Northwood, Iowa.  The photo was taken at dawn when this owl flew into view of the camera.  The camera was originally set up to photograph deer but there are many creatures out and about in the predawn morning.
I am painting a series of wildlife as I find the variety of creatures in this amazing world so diverse and interesting to study.

Rondo in Repose

 Here is another painting of my pet, Rondo. I took a photo of him in Arizona last February sleeping on the bed in our camper that we live in during the winter. Rondo can make himself look incredibly comfortable wound up into a little ball. I painted the picture just recently, May of 2017. It is 8"x10" with acrylic on black gesso.  

Barn Kitten Friends

 

These kittens were cuddling up to each other and made a great photo and also a interesting painting. Again, paining a black animal is always challenging and especially this one that really had no contours showing so I generally made the up. I might go back and refine some of this yet. I enjoy working with the negative space of the square format. 

Two can be Better than One

  

The owners of this commissioned painting are hair stylist that work in Minneapolis. It was great fun painting the long fur and perky expressions on these two little guys. I can imagine much activity in this household. It always amazes me the diversity in the animal breeds. I watched  "Best of Show" last weekend on the dog breeders dogshow winners. I got to say, I love the movie also. 

What have I learned?

Gracie 6"x6" Acrylic on board

I am posing a question for the holiday.  Usually we sit around the table at Thanksgiving and routinely say what we are thankful for.  It is important to reflect on these things that we take for granted.  Health and family are two big ones that come to mind.  However, this year I am reflecting on the things I have learned as well.  Last June I took a painting class in Grand Marais, MN which brought me back to acrylic painting.  It has also brought me to this blog.  I entered an artwork in our local Area Art Exhibition put on by the MacNider Art Museum here in Mason City, Iowa and was selected for showing.   I have also sold several of my works which is also reaffirming.These are all steps in the Creative Way that I have come forward and progressed.  So, this Thanksgiving, I am reflecting on the question of "What have I learned?"

Flexibility

Meeting people halfway

Keeping an open mind

The above painting is of Gracie.  This little dog is owned by a past student of mine.  I taught art in the local high school for many years and I was delighted to have the opportunity to paint this little guy for someone I had in class in the past.  Lots of unruly fur made the dog fun to paint with the liner brush.

The Butterflies Disappear as Autumn Progresses ....Tiger Swallowtail

Tiger Swallowtail acrylic on masonite, 6'x6'

The butterflies are gone.  I am doing a series of them.  This tiger swallowtail happens to be resting on a background of yellow leaves and I had a difficult time making a strong contrast with the yellow of the butterfly from the background.   They are certainly delicate creatures and much appreciated after gazing at them for a period of time.  Then.....one day they are simply gone as the nights chill and the leaves turn they migrate and all that flower activity ends and the garden becomes very quiet.  The late ones I understand will overwinter in chrysalis state and emerge in the spring.  DD

Work in Progress

I included a work in progress today.  The subject matter is from a photograph I took in Grand Marais, MN last June.  I am considering entering this work in an art competition in October.  So I have plenty of time to complete this work and decide if this is something I will enter or not.  It is acrylic on canvas.18"x 24". I am not sure if I am going to stay with local color of the original photograph or start a sequence of layers of colors  So, I am at a point that I need to step back to think about this a little while.  Meanwhile I think I will work on a figure painting.  

And the Band Plays On

Arches near Picacho State Park in CA  8"x10" Acrylic on hardboard

Our small town has a annual celebration as all small towns do which includes a parade.  If you are not watching the parade you would be in the parade.  In my case I am in the parade playing the clarinet in a little band that performs marches, polkas and popular music called "Sig's Band".  Live music is on the decline in most parades.  It is difficult to find organized groups to perform let alone pay them for their service.  We work for a minimal fee and lunch.  Our band performs at several of these little town parades throughout the summer.  It is a great gig because everyone is in a good mood.

The painting I did yesterday is of an area that I took a hike to with my cousin in southern California last January, just north of Yuma. I have been interested in doing a landscape and I was wondering how I would solve the problem of the rocks and sandy ground.  The painting is basically monochromatic and I am somewhat satisfied with how it turned out.  It was definitely a moonlike landscape compared with the lushness of greenery and black dirt in Iowa.