CROWS Again , painting with Collage and Oil

WHAT BRIDGE IS THIS? (SOLD)

I really have trouble sometimes trying to get the color of my photos accurate.  The yellow of this back ground is not as deep as this appears.  I use a program called Microsoft Digital Imaging, a program Microsoft no longer makes or supports.

I forgot to mention in my last post that I will be sharing a booth with another artist, Wendy dehart, who is a fine pastel artist., please check out her website to see the beautiful landscapes she creates..http://wendydehart.com/
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Another Crow....Crow and Berries (SOLD)

"FOUND DINNER" ($100.) SOLD

In my last post I forgot to mention that the art festival (Art in the Forest) is being held the weekend of August 11th and 12th.  I will have about 30 pieces on display.  So if you are in the area please come and say hello and enjoy the festival.  The tree dancers are amazing.

Crow Oil painting and Collage (SOLD)

"PORTLAND CROW" (SOLD)

I am getting ready to do an outdoor Art Festival called Art in the Forest in West Linn at the Mary S. Young park.  I wanted to only focus on  my bird and collage art.  This fellow is a Portland Crow, perhaps near the Burnside Bridge. The left side of the painting is collaged and the Crow and background is done in Oils.

Tulip Tree Buds

Thought I would post another piece I am working on.  I was missing working on a flower painting.  I used a photograph I had taken of a tulip tree at our local mall.  As I was taking the picture of what I thought was just the flower a mall security guard approached me and told me I wasn't allowed to take photographs on  the mall property.  I nicely explained I was just taking a picture of the flowers and showed him what the image looked like, but he said no more photographs because part of one of the mall buildings was in the photo.  What a sad commentary about the world we live in now.

On another note, in a previous post I mentioned a work of mine being what I felt was copied.  A friend lent me a marvelous little book titled "Steal Like an Artist" by Austin Kleon.  It's truly inspirational for artists, writers or musicians.  I ordered a copy for myself from Amazon so I could use a chapter each day to inspire me.

COWS

Gee I realized hadn't posted in awhile.  I was juried into an Arts Festival show in August and thought I would change it up a bit.  Looking at other artists work on the Internet I see where quite a few are working on small pieces, mostly in a square format in a size 6" x 6". So  I thought join the crowd and do the cow the cow series,all in 6x6 square format.  Keeping them small might be a good price point for more people to buy who can't afford larger pieces, but still want to buy art or support an artists work.

What are your thought on prices and size of your art work?  They are oils done on gessoed 1/8' thick MDF board unframed.  A friend I suggested I show them with a frame and give the buyer the option of price with or without the frame.  Have any of you tried this and if so was it successful?

WOW...I really take bad pictures of my art.  I previewed what I posted and see that all the pieces look way too dark.  The pink background in the first one isn't nearly that dark.

Oil Painting and Collage of a Gold Finch (SOLD)

"QUILTED BIRD"($100.)

Another small bird that comes to my feeder.  I believe they are Gold Finches.  Today I had an unexpected visitor.  Living in the Pacific Northwest we have Anna Humming birds that stay here all winter.  Today I saw a Rufus Humming Bird at the feeder.  Oh, so magnificent in the sun;  he flashed colors of orange copper and gold!  I have tried painting the Anna's, but feel I failed trying to capture the iridescent colors of the bird.  My husband suggested I glue sequins on the throat for the colors...not a  bad idea since my bird paintings are partly about collage.

I made an attempt to change my blogs color format, it still needs some tweeking, can't get the top to do what I want.   Probably will have to stay that way.  Sometimes with my finagling I send stuff into never-never land on the computer and can't find a way to retrieve it.

BlueBird...Western Scrub Jay "JAY IN THE IRIS" ( Oil and Collage)

"JAY AND IRIS" ($100.)

I can always hear when one of these birds come to the feeder.  I run and grab my camera hoping to capture one of them looking my way.  Such noisy creature which have so much to say and with very load and strong voices.   I wasn't sure what type of blue birds they are and finally discovered they are called Western Scrub Jays.  I also have Stellar Jays that come to the feeder, but those birds have a sort of crown of feathers on top of their head. 

Another CROW

"ABC CROW" ($100.)

Missed painting my old feathered friends the CROWS.  My husband wonders why they never have feet.  Does it bother you that I prefer to eliminate the feet?  It's not that I don't like bird feet; It's more I dislike painting them accuratly.

Another Bird Oil painting and Collage (SOLD)

"TAKE A CHANCE"  ($100.)

Another version of my Towee bird friends.  I love the graphic colors of this bird; and yes, I have definately gone to the birds!

Bird Collage (SOLD)

"HAPPY BIRD" ($100.)

This is another oil and collage of a bird called a Towee.  They come to the feeder every day seeking out the sun flower seeds.

ANOTHER NEW BIRD "GIRLY GIRL BIRD"

"TOWEE IN THE PINK" ($100.)

New bird... oil and collage.  Size 8x8 on a gessoed cradled board.   The striped backgound is an old piece of wallpaper I found in my collage material.  The color of the stripes are slightly more pink, but I couldn't get the camera to get the color right. Another reason I am not too happy with my fairly new Canon camera..UGH!  I even spoke to the Canon customer service person, who I felt knew less than I did about the color issue.

CHICKADEE oil painting and collage

"CHICKADEE" ($100.)

Not the greatest photo of this little Chickadee I painted.  Another great bird that comes to the  feeder hanging outside my studio window.  The bottom of the oil painting is done in collage.  It's of a group of Zinnias that I took a photo of and manipulated in a photo digital program.  I have been trying to incorporate more of my photos in the collages I do, rather then just using parts of magazine pages. It's done on an 8"x8" cradled board.

SPOTTED TOWEE...OIL AND COLLAGE.."HIS IMAGINATION"

"SPOTTED TOWEE' ($100.)

I decided to try my hand at some new birds.  I have several bird feeders that I can see from my studio window.  This is one of the fellows that came to feed.  I bought a new powers shot Canon camera this summer because it has a more powerful zoom than my old one and I have to say I am not really happy with it.  The colors just are never very good.   I have to do too much color fiddling in my computer before I can post a picture of the painting.  Also, the zoom only really works well on the optical zoom, the digital zoom is very grainy.  I don't recommend anyone buying a Canon Powershot SX30 IS.

To all the folks out there who look at my blog, I wish you a joyous holiday and a very Happy New Year.

Three NEW CROWS (ALL SOLD)

"CITY BIRD" ($100.)

 Where the Sun Don't Shine

                                               Some more crows in the collage series.SOLD

AUDUBON WILD ARTS FESTIVAL

Yesterday I attended the Audubon Wild Arts Festival. The first two photos are how the donated 6"x6" canvas are displayed. My piece is on the first picture third row down, second one in. My friends Wendy and Dave Dehart also did pieces for the show and Dave's was blown up and placed in the circle above on one of the displays. As always there are marvelous birds on display and lovely handlers giving in- formation about the birds and why they have to live in captivity, usually because humans have stepped into their lives and have wanted to make a pet out of the bird or they come injured to the society. This was a beautiful female owl on display.

MOON LIGHT SERENADE (NFS)

Thought I'd post something I am working on. This piece is much longer but I haven't worked out all the idea for the rest of it. There will be three crows on the branch and another group of branches on the right. I'm not too happy yet with the crows, they still need work, but the oils still wet and I can't go back into the painting the crows which I want to be a denser black. I honestly don't know if I think this piece is going to work. I have several friends coming over and we critiques each others work, so perhaps their input will help me figure out if I should continue to work on the piece.

On another note the Audubon Wild Arts Festival is this weekend. Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th   http://wildartsfestival.org/  My post on 10/4 ....shows the piece I entered. I had a lovely surprise, I receive several messages yesterday that the show had been featured on Fox News here in Portland and my entered piece was shown in detail on TV! Sure wish I had seen it. If your in Portland check out the show, it's always a very interesting show with live birds and great artists and authors. http //wildartsfestival.org/

CROW...Portland Crow (SOLD)

"I LOVE PORTLAND IN THE FALL" 8" x 10" $125.

Since fall is arriving in Portland I thought I'd change up my crow series just a bit. Wish I could remember where I took the shot in Portland; if anyone recognizes the street could you email me with the information.

CROW PAINTING ( AUDUBON WILDLIFE SHOW) (SOLD)

Every year Art Media a Portland Oregon Art Supply Company hands out free 6" x 6" canvas to do a painting for the Audubon Wildlife Show. Art media has now become part of Dick Blick, a national company and from what other artists have told me only 25 canvas were handed out, probably from each store location. I happened to already have one so this will be my donated piece this year. I will post more about the show as the dates gets nearer in November. Remember all these little gems are only $40.!

Also, I have had several request for me to post the prices I am asking for my "Rain Bird" series. Always the hardest decision as to what to price ones art work. I have decided to ask $100. for the 8" x8" and $125. for the 8"x10".

FLOWER PAINTING (Marigold Oil Painting)

I recently went to the Luscher Farm in Lake Oswego Oregon; it's a community garden and my fellow artist friend Wendy Dehart and I try to get there at least once in the summer to do some Plein Air work. The gardens are beautiful, full of wonderful flowers and veggies everywhere. Well, as usual I was in a state as to what to paint. Since I don't get outdoors often enough to paint I usually can't decide what to paint. It's a real dilemma for me and when I saw this bunch of Marigolds I instinctively felt they where calling to me, so my confusion was put to rest as I always love to paint flowers.

But, I think looking back at my experiences with Plein Air painting I have come to the conclusion it's not what I enjoy painting, or if I am to paint outdoors I want to hone in on a small area and not try to paint the vast expanse of the landscape. Any one out there who has the same problem? I think another problem I have with landscape painting is there are so many artist who do it so well and I want to some some how put a different concept to my work.

Mitchell Albala who's landscape painting book "Essential Concepts and Techniques for Plein Air and Studio Practice", recently posted an interview with Wolf Kahn http://blog.mitchalbala.com/?p=2058,  whose landscapes are amazing because he has learned to paint the suggestion of the landscape without painting the detail. If the link doesn't work try newarttv.com .

COFFE CUP...AGAIN

SOLD

As usual I haven't posted in awhile. I took a break from the crow paintings/ collages and painted my favorite cup again...third time for this cup. Also attempted a small china cup. I have an English friend who when she comes to visit I always get out the china cup and a small china teas pot so she can enjoy her beloved tea. It's still a work in progress and needs some size adjustment, thus I won't post it until I feel I have gotten the proportions in scale.

First City Celebration and Art Event today Saturday

http://downtownoregoncity.org/2010/07/artists-close-down-main-street-on-july-31st/

If your looking for something fun to do today come see me at my both at the First City Celebration in downtown Oregon City.  I am sharing a space with Wendy Dehart,http://wendydehart.com/, a pastel artists.  My recent series of paintings of crows and collages will be on display.   It should be a really well attended event.  This is a one day event and the artists show runs from 11:00 to 7:00 today and the wine and music part continues until 9:00 tonight.  Wendy and my booth will be located right in front of the courthouse on main street in OC.  Please stop by and say hello or better yet take one our works of art home with you.

CROW PAINTINGS ON CLOUDY DAYS

SOLD

Title "It's Only Misting" 8"x 10" $125.

Another set of crows in the series of weather related crows.  I hope to complete 2 more to make it a dozen. My grandkids are here now  are visiting from Los Angeles; so painting will have to wait while I get to enjoy their company.  Part of the process in creating the pieces are to collage the one side.  Many times I see a certain image in a magazine and that will get me started, but finding other elements to complete the collage may take some rummaging through all my magazines to find what I feel works and balances with the original image.  I paint all the crows from photos I have taken and recently bought a new camera with a 35x zoom lens because they are such flighty birds and take off as soon as I get any where near them. These two are 8"x 10" on cradled 3/4 inch boards.

CROWS AND COLLAGE/ Sun Break Birds (SUNSHINE ON CLOUDY DAY-SOLD)

 (SOLD)

Title "Sunshine on a Cloudy Day" 8"x8" $100.

Title "Cloudy Day Chasing The Sun Away" 8"x8" $100.

Here in Portland we have many cloudy days, but many times on those cloudy days we get what the weather men call sunbreaks through out the day. So as part of my "Rain Bird" series I have included "Sun break Birds". 8" x8" on 3/4 inch Cradle Board

CROWS, CROWS,CROWS (ALL SOLD)

 SOLD
Title"Liquid Sunshine" 8"x8" $100.

   (SOLD)
Title "Sun-Break Bird 8"x10" $125.

 SOLD
Title "Think It's Another rainy Day" 8'x 8" $100.

I have attempted to create several more crow collages. So far I have completed 6 and I hope to do a series of 12 and am on number 7. I work from my own photographs but really have a hard time photographing the birds as it seems as soon as they see me coming they are off and running, actually they quickly fly away. Another problem is trying to get the color accurate on my computer monitor; I always wonder how accurate the colors look like on other peoples monitors. The paintings are 8"x8"  and 10"x 8", done in oil with collage on the sides.

I am calling the series rain birds and sun break birds because it rains a lot here; but what I find so unusual is the sun breaks, they come and go during the day but around 5 o'clock on many days the sun stays out and I always wonder what took it so long to appear and stay. I know we are greatly affected by the weather on the coast coming into Portland. I really don't mind the greyer days and am lucky I don't suffer from depression. I enjoy spending time in my studio on those days. It is so beautiful in the Pacific Northwest that even on grey days you can see the beauty; but the most spectacular days are when it so wonderfully clear and Mt Hood makes an appearance that is breath-taking with her pristine snow covered peak.

CROW PAINTINGS (RAIN BIRDS)

Title "Rain Rain Go Away $100.

Title "It's A sideways Rainy Day $100.

SOLD

         Title"Night Rain Bird"  $125.

We have had such a wet winter and spring that my thoughts are dull and dreary along with the birds who live outside in this weather all the time.  I like to work from photos I have taken of crows. They really are a very difficult bird to photograph because as I get just slightly close to them they fly away.  I guess I should invest in a better Canon camera with a better telephotographic lens.  I also need one that takes better" in motion " pictures;  between the motion of the birds and also me trying to capture my twin grandsons in motion I get really frustrated.  I did these on 3/4" cradled boards in oil along with collaged sides.  Think I might like to do more in the series.  Question is....should I continue to work on this series...suggestions would be helpful.  All comments are welcome.

FLOWER PAINTING - CHERRY BLOSSOMS

 I

I have a show being held at the Red Magnolia Salon here in Portland.  Maggie the owner has the most adorable location just a spit off Alberta St on 13th, in the Alberta Arts District here in Portland.   Please visit her website to see her hours and location....  http://www.redmagnoliasalon.com/

She will have a  "Last Thursday Art Walk" for the month of April from 5:00-8:00, wine is served! Please stop in any time to see the salon and Maggie and her staffs and the services of the salon. 

This latest painting is an oil done on a 16"x 20" panel.  I really had a difficult time getting the colors of the painting accurate in the photo.  I still think the pink in the flowers is too intense.

SONG BIRD COLLAGE (SOLD)

SOLD

Another collage, I seem to be working in geometric patterns with my collages lately.

STILL-LIFE (CUP AND SPOON )



 (SOLD)

I recently came across an old photo of a coffee cup and spoon. I had done a painting of it several years ago and thought it would be interesting to try another small painting of it.  The one on the top is the new painting, not sure if it's any better though.....hmmm, have I not grown as an artist? I have mentioned in previous posts how I always admire artists whose works are very loose, but I can never achieve that and realize I have to control  my brush strokes because I don't have the confidence in my ability to let go.