Reflections of Nature Art Show and Sale

I'm looking forward to participating in the Reflections of Nature Show this year.  This lovely art community is pure joy for an artist or art enthusiast.  It's that time once again to visit with friends and and make news ones.   Please stop by my booth and say "Hello"!

Red Fox

Untitled Red Fox small work of 5" x 7" is now complete.   


I'll have to come up with a name on this one.
"A story to tell" maybe ??  He is definitely yipping it up about something.   :-)

7 Point Elk ~ On the easel

This drawing of a 7 point Male Elk was started some time ago.  It was set aside to finish more pressing works due at that time.  I've pulled the canvas out and started working on it again.  It will probably take some time to finish.  One, it's a 22" x 28" oil on canvas.  Two speaking of oil there is the drying time in between the coats or washes and layers upon layers of hair and other details to add.


The background will be water.  He will be standing in a river, shallow where he stands.  Rocks will be visible beneath the surface.


I had chatted with a gentlemen last year who had really wanted me to paint in a background with a familiar area.  Often paintings that evoke a memory are the ones people are more likely to purchase.   He is right of course.  However, I LOVE water and painting it.  I've yet to paint water with these elements before so I'll just proceed for now with the original concept design.    


I'd love to sell works of course, however there are particular things that draw me in and get me excited about a painting.  In this piece of course the Elk is amazing but the water being challenging at best draws the enthusiasm even higher for me.


So it's back to the easel with an oil painting this time.  I will post it's progress as soon as time allows.

14th Annual San Dimas Wildlife Art Show

                                             Untitled ~ 14" x 18" Acrylic on board Original


Finally!  Off the easel, this underwater Gulf Coast scene is ready for the upcoming 14th Annual San Dimas Wildlife Art Show.  The show will take place October 15th to 17th at the historic Walker House.


Opening night Preview and Reception is $25.00.  For information and or reservations to the reception call (909) 599-5374.  The reception begins at 6:00pm, dinner is served at 6:30pm.


The opening of the Art Show will be Saturday, October 16th, 9:00am - 5:00pm.  There will be an Artist Seminar at 1:00pm.  Art Appreciation Day is on Sunday, October 17th from 10:00am to 4:00pm.


For complete information visit the Festival of Arts website:  http://www.sandimasarts.com/


I look forward to seeing you there!  If there is something in particular you are looking for, please 
don't hesitate to call me at the studio! (909) 553-0171

Great Horned Owl - Small Works

Great Horned Owl -  I should have this piece finalized by the end of the day.  I have one more 8" x 10" Barn Owl in fight I must finish before days end as well.   I'll be spraying the final coat over five paintings in one sitting before weeks end then off to the framer.


For those not familiar with specifics on this bird I'll add this  information:


Great Horned Owl: Bubo virginianus L. 22" Wing Span 44"
Wt. 3.1 lb. (1,400 g)


Range, North America with exception to some  extreme northern reaches of Eastern Canada.  As in other owls, females average browner and more heavily marked than males. Birds in the western interior region are generally pale and  grayish in tone.  Southwest population very pale  and pacific populations are very dark.


They are found in wooded areas, mountain forest, desert canons, marches, city parks, and urban areas.


One of the earliest spring nesting birds, eggs may be laid in January or February through April. They will use abandoned stick nests of Herons or other Raptors, but will also nest in rock alcoves, tree hollows, building which are abandoned or even sometimes on the ground.
They usually lay 2-3 white eggs though sometimes up to 6.  The young fledge from the nest at 45-55 days old and can live greater than 12 years.  


They hunt at night generally but occasionally at daylight.  They hunt by sound to get a fix on the prey.  Their diet consists of squirrels, shrews, jackrabbits, mice, muskrats, skunks gophers, snakes and much much more!  So, if you have a domestic cat, please beware!  Snoockums could be the next tasty bit on this birds diet.  

Bobcat and Cubs

This is an awesome sight!  Bobcat and four cubs!
It's apparent that she has had an excellent year so far to have so many.  This family will return again and again to this site.  The food source and water are there.  The rocks and boulders offer privacy and protection to raise this liter.  This is just one of many who have returned year after year since around 1992.


Many of my paintings of Bobcats have come from this location.   Wild Bobs!  Oh so cool !


I have started a drawing from this group of photo references.   For balance in composition however, I have chosen Mother and two cubs.   I'll be painting this one in acrylic.  I might not start the painting for a month or two, but it goes without saying the passion is there and I am itching to start it.


I've had to put several I've started aside to date for deadlines.   The 5" x 7" Great Horned Owl piece is almost finished.  (I'll post it once complete)  I'll begin this weekend on a 4" x 4" painting of a Saw Whet Owl.   Then it's on for a new deadline.


I've ordered some books from Amazon.com and have a project that is very exciting.  I'll need to research this subject matter completely before I even think about starting the painting.   I'm thinking about doing an underwater scene, something I have never attempted before.   


Jerry and I will be traveling a short distance to Catalina for Kayaking, Snorkeling and such.  Underwater camera gear..... Hmmmmm!   I love how the light rays dance through the water bouncing the most fascinating designs across whatever it hits.  I think it would be wonderful to be able to paint the luminosity of light and abstract design.    Always the challenges that keep this job fresh!

Domestic Cat ? On the Easel........

One more on the easel.  This new piece is an acrylic on board.  The background has been air brushed in and the cat is in the rough stage of base coat.  The painting is an 8" x 10" in size.  Generally, I do like to paint in the eyes first.  Giving some life to a piece helps me feel the subject I'm working on.   I'll post as this piece progresses. 


Happy Memorial Weekend to all.  I hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather.  Sunny California has certainly seen it's share of clouds and rain this spring.

Youtube slideshow - A New Adventure!

There is a new "Link" to Youtube at the bottom of the blog if you'd like to watch my newest adventure......... I Movie ! What a fun medium to explore.

This piece features misc. works from spans of work covering about 7 - 8 years. I'd love to venture on to more challenging video clips. Perhaps a "How To" video featuring a painting from start to finish. This would not only be challenging but also fun to produce.

It takes several months to complete some paintings. So this venture would be somewhat time consuming to film and edit.

Luckily, I have had lots of help with learning this program from friend and Photographer Michael Bates. He has produced some of the finest videos I've ever seen. What talent!

Smiles! Brenda