It's in the Eyes

Recently I've been working on a series of small bird portraits. I always start with painting the eyes. If I can get the eyes right, the rest of the creature seems to come together much easier. This guy is strong and determined. He's in charge and wants everyone to know it. As I get the paintings in this series photographed and uploaded, the originals will be listed in my Etsy shop in the Birds and Animals gallery. Most are 4x5 an 4x6 inches in size, created on canvas panels with professional grade oil paints. If I can get decent photographs, I will also sell them as reproductions here. It is a challenge to photograph small paintings and have them suitable as reproductions, so many of them may exist in original form only. When they are gone, they're gone, original one of a kind small format art. How cool is that?  If you'd like to see all of the work I have available for reproduction, please stop by my gallery and shop here.

Good Morning Bird

Painting little creatures with a limited palette and few brush strokes was part of the inspiration for this little bird, the first painting of the day.  Ultramarine Blue, Alizarin Crimson, and Titanium White were the three colors I used in its creation.  He was painted on a 6x8 inch stretched canvas with oil paints. A wash of crimson started the process.  The original painting is for sale in my Etsy Shop in the Birds and Animals section.  Details about this little guy are here.  Reproduction prints are also available on paper, canvas, acrylic, and metal at my website in the Birds Gallery.  Also, just for fun, he is also available on note cards, phone cases, and throw pillows in a variety of sizes.  I hope you will visit.

Wild Birds

Painting birds is a fun little distraction.  This is one of a series of little 4x4 inch paintings of crows that I am  selling. This fellow has already SOLD, but you can see more little bird paintings in my Etsy Shop by clicking here. Or, you can by a print by clicking this link.

Little Bird Fluff

SOLD

It took me a while to finish this little 4x4 inch oil painting.  In spite of its size, I couldn't decide on an effective color for the background.  I repainted it at least three times before settling on this yellow-green background. Now the fluffy little guy is settled in a warm spot of sunshine. 

Time for the Beach

 SOLD

November rains are keeping me inside, but I'm imagining warm summer beaches.  This little 4x4 inch oil painting takes me back to warmer days.  He has sold to a new owner who probably also wants to escape to some warmer thoughts,so he's heading south. To view some of my other paintings of birds and animals, visit here, at my Etsy Shop.

Hunting Auction

 SOLD

For the first time, I'm offering one of my paintings for sale in an auction format.  This little hunter was painted on a 5x7 inch canvas panel with professional grade oil paints.   He was inspired by the brave fellows who are always squabbling in my backyard.  Click here to view him in my Daily Paint Works Gallery.   Happy bidding. 

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5x7, Bird, Bird Art, Bird Paintings, Canvas, Canvas Panel Painting, Contemporary Painting, Crow Painting, Daily Painting, Oil Painting, Original Oil Painting, Raven Painting

Suspicious Crow

He looks suspicious.  I'm sure he's done something illegal--something like theft--something he doesn't want anyone to notice.  At least, that's how these fellows tend to look when they stop by my backyard.  This painting was inspired by a crow standing knee deep in dried grass and looking like the guilty animal he is.  The painting is 6x6 inches on a gessoed hardboard panel.  It has SOLD, but other paintings of crows are available in  my Etsty Shop, Small Impressions Painting.  Click this link to see my paintings of birds and animals.

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6x6, Animal Painting, Animal Portrait, Bird, Bird Art, Bird Painting, Bird Portrait, Black Bird, Crow Bird, Crow Painting

Waiting for Dinner

Another inspiration from my days at the coast is this little 4x6 inch painting of a Blue Heron.  They hang out in the grassy mud flats looking for a snack.  When they fly it is amazing.  Their wings span six feet and what looks like no neck at all extends to what looks like two or three feet. It is always delightful to see one fly.

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4x6, Bird Painting, Blue Heron, Canvas, Oil Painting, Original Oil Painting, Pacific Northwest Artist, Painting

Beach Comber

Here he is, looking for something to guzzle. I am amazed at the large nasty chunks of beach crud these guys can gulp down in one swallow. This one is 6x8 inches on a gallery-wrapped canvas. He has joined some of my other oil paintings of birds and animals at the Small Impressions Gallery at Etsy and can be purchased at this link.

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6x8, Beach, Bird, Canvas, Gallery Wrapped, Gull, Oil Painting, Pacific Northwest Artist, Painting, Sea Birds, Seagull, Shore Birds, Small Artwork

Taking a Drink

I almost forgot to post the last of this little crow/raven series. It was a joy to paint these creatures. Spending moments looking out may window provided plenty of references for creating paintings of some of their antics. This one is 5x7 inches on a canvas panel.

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Bird Art, Bird Painting, Bird Portrait, Canvas Panel Painting, Contemplating Art, Crow Bird, Crow Painting, Crows, Oil Painting, Original Art For Sale, Original Oil Painting, Small Artwork, Small Painting

Who are you?

Here is another of my recent crow paintings. This guy looked like he was questioning my presence and hoping I would head the other direction. The painting is 5x7 inches and can be purchased here for $40.00 plus shipping.

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Technorati tags: Bird Art, Bird Painting, Crow Painting, Dark and Light Contrast

Hunting

It was so much fun to paint the visage of a crow from my backyard a few days ago that I had to paint a few more. This guy was looking very serious, hunting for something. I wondered what it might be. Was it a worm in the garden or the entry of that pesky Jay that lives nearby? The painting is 5x7 inches and is one of several I will be posting over the next few days. When the paintings dry, they will be offered for sale at Small Impressions Paintings.

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Crow in Sunlight

Today's 4x6 inch painting was inspired by a cranky crow who lives in my backyard. There's actually a pair of them that seem to be nesting in a nearby pine tree. They are big and very territorial. They are constantly after the Blue Jay's who try to steal a worm from the lawn. When the sun shines, it makes the black feathers of the crows glitter and appear to be made of of multiple shades blue and purple. It was with this image in mind that I created this painting. Now that it is dry, it has joined the Small Impressions Gallery with some of my other small paintings of animals and birds. To purchase or view it in the gallery, visit this link.

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Technorati tags: Animal Portrait, Bird Art, Bird Painting, Canvas Panel Painting, Dark and Light Contrast, Golden Light, oil sketch, Original Oil Painting, Small Artwork

Goose Speak

It was a honking good day even though the weather was bad and a leak sprang through our ceiling last night. After strategically placing a bucket in the hallway, I spent the rest of the day imagining myself walking through summer grass. This guy joined me in my imaginings, emerged from my palette, and placed himself on this 4x6 inch canvas. He has joined some of my other animal paintings for sale. Click here to view him in a gallery or put him in a shopping cart.

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Animal Painting, Animal Portrait, Bird Art, Bird Painting, Bird Portrait, Farm Animal Painting, Goose, Goose Painting, Oil Painting

After Midnight

My husband likes this rooster; I think it must remind him of himself. He is the one who walks through the house at midnight checking the doors, noting the weather, and making sure we are buttoned up tight. It was fun to paint the feathers on this cocky guy--lots of texture and loose brush strokes. The painting is 5x7 inches on a canvas panel and can be purchased for $35.00 plus shipp at the Small Impressions Gallery. Click here to put it in your shopping basket.

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Animal Painting, Animal Portrait, Bird Art, Bird Painting, Bird Portrait, Farm Animal Painting, Oil Painting, Painting Loose, Painting on Canvas, Rooster, Small Painting

Goose Portrait

This painting is 5x7 inches on a hardboard panel. Created in oil, I especially loved working on his bill and the shadows on his neck and around his eye. He is now for sale at my Etsy Gallery for $50.00 plus $6.50 for shipping to US addresses. Shipping to Canada and Mexico is $10.00. Click here to purchase or take a minute to look at my other animal paintings.

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Goldfinch--Original American Gouache Painting

I'm still working large, but it is time to let my work dry before proceeding further. While waiting for the oil paint to dry, I'll share this little 4x6 gouache painting of the Washington State Bird, the Goldfinch. They are beautiful little birds that are seen far too seldom. Perhaps a bird house and a birdbath in my backyard would attract more of these delightful little creatures. Since it is a beautiful summer evening; I may have to paint another bird. I've seen some Hummingbirds lately hovering amongst the flowers.

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4x6, American, Art, Bird, Birds, Daily, Daily Painting, Goldfinch, Gouache, Gouache Paint, Green, Original, Pacific Northwest, Painting, Washington State, Yellow

Chickadee--American Gouache Painting

Yesterday I had so much fun painting the little baby birds, that I decided to paint another bird. This one is a Chickadee, the kind I love to see fliting about in my backyard. This little painting is gouache (opaque watercolor) 4x6 inches on watercolor paper.

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