Today I'll finish the leaves and flowers in the foreground of the Grey Squirrel.  I've yet to name this piece.  Often names simply do not pop up in my head.  Why is that?  


Perhaps it's because I am so excited about creating a new painting today.  I do like starting new paintings.  There is an element of enthusiasm associated with a new creations!  Of course I also have to pull off the vision in my head of it.  The challenge is often that which drives me.   


I'll pull out all the envelopes of photos compiled for each new concept and make the very difficult decision of which I should paint first.   Wolves?  Raptors?  Skunks?  More Owls?  


The one thing I think I miss about oil painting is that I can start as many as I want because there is the "dry time" factor.   It's truly a great excuse!  With acrylic, I'm finding that's not necessary.  But, I'm still starting one after another.   I do love putting those ideas down in concrete and committing to them.

Domestic Cat ? Final painting

Completed "Jay" and now back to the Grey Squirrel.


I rarely paint flowers.  Not sure why,  I love flowers.  The Squirrel will have Silver Dollar Flowers it it.  My backyard is almost solid with them in early April through the end of May.    


It's foggy this morning.  The June gloom coming in from the beach fog has backed up and rolls over the mountains tops.  I love when it begins to lighten up and the sun rays begin to glow through.   I'll have my camera ready when and if it does today.


The fog is a good thing for me as I would much rather be outside taking reference photos.


I'm very much liking this acrylic.  I think I've learned a lot by just keeping on task with it.  "Jay" was painted on Amperstand Clayboard.  I'm finding that the clayboard absorbs the paint too much.   It's difficult  obtaining crisp clean color.   For my next endeavor,  I will roller on a coat of gesso and see that eliminates this issue.   The one thing I have noticed seeing other paintings in acrylic is that it does not have the luminosity and glow that can be achieved with oils.    I have a goal to prove this does not have to be.