On the easel ~ Cougar progress update

Moving along briskly now on the cougar painting.  I decided to add another dimension by including branches and fall leaves.  I have a lot of fine tuning to do before completion but feeling rather well about it's progress.


This painting is an 11" x 14" acrylic on Amperstand board. 

On the easel ~ Saw Whet Owl

Work continues on the little Saw Whet Owl.  It's very close to completion at this point.   More shadows will be painted in beneath him adding more dimension to the overall piece.   More fine tuning of the visible leg and talon.


I spent this morning prepping some small canvases. Each 6 x 6".  I'll be taking these with me on my September adventure.  (I can hear the sound of the waves as I type this)   The drawing will go in on each this afternoon.   (Surprises for the next show in October in San Dimas.)    


Please check my "Schedule Page" on the main website for the dates and time.  San Dimas is a fun show to do.  I'm looking forward to it.
The venue will return to it's original location as well.  The Civic Center in Downtown San Dimas.


 It's always great to catch up with all these folks and meet new ones.  Please stop by my booth and say "Hello".  

On the easel ~ Saw Whet Owl

It’s been a varied summer so far combining painting, field trip studies and a trip to Ohio for several weeks.

I’ve started more paintings than I think I’ll ever be able to complete

and had to set them aside for more pressing ones with deadlines.

The field trip (mentioned in the previous post) will be on my companion blog for those who are interested in the pacific underwater

piece.   Of course, I’ve just returned from Ohio only Monday so

that adventure (and an interesting one) will be forthcoming as well.

There is approximately three weeks at the easel and off on yet another adventure.  I’ll be spending some time at the beach with dual purpose,

both fun and reference photos.  

My next show is in October and I’ll be finishing up some small works

for that venue. (check my main website calendar for dates).

There are several reference photos that look interesting for same; i.e.   The Saw Whet Owl I’m in the process of painting now, and I was thinking of painting a beautiful swan.  I have a dove in a nest in which the colors are amazing that I might squeeze in as well. 

I’m missing my favorite subject cats !  It’s been some time since I painted one and feel an itch to do so.  It’s often so hard to decide

which subject to paint.  Too may options!

Here is the beginnings of the little owl.  It’s a 5” x 7” acrylic on board.

Sea Otter ~ Aquarium of the Pacific ~ Time to study !

Probably the best thing about being a wildlife artist is the field work necessary to capture the best representation of the subjects or habitat being worked on.  In my case, the recent work on my Pacific Underwater painting has come to a point were my reference is somewhat inadequate.    So off I go again to gather those necessary refreshers on the subject; the southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nersis).


Luckily the Aquarium of the Pacific offers up a very nice exhibit to observe and study this little darling of the sea.


A dear friend has offered to ride along and enjoy the day with me.  She is an artist in her own right and loves nature and wildlife as much as me.    I love my job!  Great friends and wildlife go together very well.   : )


The image I have posted here is of one tank among many at the aquarium.   Rather sets the mood I think!   I can't wait !


I was thinking about posting some of the finds on my other blog as well as this one.  So, with that, check back and follow the Wildlife with Brenda D. Johnson blog. for the next update on Pacific Otters and more.    : ) 

51st Annual Exhibition of the Society of Animal Artists

I'm honored to announce “Caribbean Cruise”, has been selected for the 51st Annual Exhibition of the Society of Animal Artists, to be displayed from September 17 through December 31, 2011 at the Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City, MI.


If you are in or around the state of Michigan, I highly recommend attending or viewing this exhibition.  


For more information about the show or the National Tour that follows, check out the website :


http://www.societyofanimalartists.com/exhibits.html


I'll list the tour itinerary should this painting be selected for the annual tour.  The selection has not been made for same as yet.  


It's been a great start to the year!  :)

Pet Portrait commission ~ on the easel

The pet portrait commission is coming along nicely with still much to complete.


I'm concentrating on the grasses and ground at this time.  Once the back ground has been painted in, I'll return to the kitty for some last details pulling it all together.


This portrait has been a lot of fun in that the client wanted a nature setting.  This kitty spends most days out in and out of the woods surrounding the property and play hunting.  (well, maybe not always, it is a cat)


I'll post  the completed painting as time allows.  Look for the updates in several weeks.   

I'm delighted to say this painting of the Barn Owl and Flying Squirrel is finally complete.


There are many design challenges that went along with its concept.  I was determined to overcome them.  I believe I have.   


The branches basically tie these two subjects together.  There are two parallel lines, upper and lower almost presenting two separate paintings.  The "Z" created in the added branches help the eye flow through this piece.


The story here is one that is totally realistic in the wild.  Lunch, dinner or otherwise, this Owl has found it's prey and must navigate the thick wooded area through many branches!  It would be too realistic for most if this little flying squirrel did not escape this day!   It's my story, so please find relief that the owl will have to find something else for his meal.  He escaped!


The medium is acrylic painted on clayboard.  The size is 12" W x 24" H.


On the easel now is a small cotton tail and Saw Whet Owl.  I have a few days left to complete them.  As they are smaller and less complicated, it should not be that difficult.


I have one commission to start up again next week.  Clients can only be so patient, deadlines, shows or what!   This commission is a fun piece.  It depicts a cat snooping it's way the the weeds.  Cats love to do this playing "the hunter".   They are delightful to watch!  I find great humor it it!

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.   :-)

Peacock ~ On the easel...

Happy New Year !  


May all your dreams and wishes come true!


This has been an interesting year for us with all the usual.  Health issues all behind us now, we are ready for a great year!  I think I spared everyone the wild unexpected news.   At the risk of sounding like a county western song, I'll spare you again.    So lots of laughter, a wonderful break from the norm, it all came out quite well anyway!


I'm gearing up in the studio for my next show in Tulsa, OK.,  Nature Works.    Plus, there are several other venues I'm interested in submitting to as well.


The image above is the beginning of a 6" x 24" cropped Peacock.  It's very complex to say the least!  I think I'll make friends with this painting AFTER I've completed it.  Right now there is so much to do to complete it.   I've mentioned this to others regarding this endeavor,  "I'm so lost in the feathers!"  


I'm working in Acrylic so it's pretty fast moving if I can stay on task.  There are a lot of breaks required on this work.  ha ha ha!  Whew!   Updates as I progress!  :- )

San Bernardino County Museum "Art and the Natural World 28"

Only a few weeks away (painting time) the Wildlife Art Festival of the San Bernardino County Museum begins another weekend in celebration of Art and the Natural World.


My easel is full !   I have several pieces in different stages of completion.   I thought I would try some Ravens for this show along with another Mini Hawksbill Turtle.  I'll present two of these at the show.   


The larger 14" x 18" Bobcat painting might be a challenge to complete.  It's a full scene of rocks grasses with Mom and two kittens about 5 - 6 months of age.  Bobcats are a little time consuming given their beautifully camouflaged fur of subtle variations of color along the back.  With three of them almost full body to be painted  and framed in three weeks..... well, you get the idea.  I'll probably be burning some late hours!


Time permitting,  I have several reference photos of ideas just in case time permits maybe one or two more 4" x 4" paintings.


Of those images I've included a swan and some ever so cute juvenile skunks being at the top of the list.


Please mark your calendars for this event.  Stop by and say "Hello"!    This year I will be downstairs just behind the Featured Artist, left side of the isle.   Looking forward to seeing you!    :- )

Great Horned Owl - On the easel

This little painting is one of two paintings I've been working on for the last several weeks.  Plenty of interruptions, (life just does that).  A little about my method or madness here.  Firstly, it's an acrylic on Amperstand Claybord, 5" x 7".  The background simply airbrushed in.  The drawing over the top of the background then white paint over the subject area.  I don't care to paint the animal in over color.  The underneath color seems to wash out the colors on top. (to me flatten them.)  This method is ever so different than working in oil.  I like working with the wash of colors underneath to enhance the final outcome with oil.  (Flemish, some my recognize as my classical training in oil here)  I do think (time permitting) it would be interesting to try color washes that would read well.  I love seeing paintings with lovely nuances of color showing through.  However, they are generally painted in oil.  Something indeed to think about.  Warm or cool color on the other hand can be washed over the top of the final piece to "Pop or Drop" subject matter.  That's a lot of fun! 


I'll have to admit that I am not following my recent workshop teachings with Terry Isaac on this one.  I really don't like working over mid tones.  Or from dark to light.  I'm often feeling as if I am working backwards with acrylic vs. oil.  

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.

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.