Red-footed Booby

I have recently become slightly obsessed with vintage paint by numbers artwork. They have the feel of the first color photographs. The colors are a tad beyond realistic. They are simplistic and easy to take in.

I think that is the inspiration for this sketch. This is a pastel and charcoal rendering of a Red-footed Booby chick.

Baby Lenny

This little guy was laying on my backporch. Call me morbid, but I had to sketch him. He spent the night in my freezer which caused some conern with my husband. I am not sure exactly what kind of bird he was but I named him Lenny.

Texas Visit

I just got back from visiting family in Texas. I brought my sketchbook and sketched this little Winter Wren while sitting with my dad. The picture above is me and my Meemaw. I am happy to say that she has been a dedicated patron of my artwork. Behind us is a painting I did in 2008 called Dinner Guest, which paved the way for my bird obsession. Meemaw bought it as a gift for my dad and stepmom.

I took several photos of family and friends that I plan to use as references for paintings. As always, I can never think of just painting one individual piece but instead have to envision a series. Any who, I have an idea for a family tree inspired series. I am kicking around Rotten Roots as the title.

Greater Adjutant and Barcelona Chair In-progress

This is the latest in-progress. It is large and in charge, measuring 64"x36". It is one of my favorite birds, the Greater Adjutant, on one of my favorite pieces of furniture, the Barcelona chair. I enjoyed pairing an endangered scavenger that is commonly found rummaging in garbage dumps atop one of the most iconic designs of the 20th century.

Dad #2

This image came from a picture of Dad at my wedding. I think he looks like a cross between a young Castro and Santa Claus.

My Dad

My dad is not doing so hot so I thought it would make me feel better to paint a picture of him. The bottom photograph is of my dad and mom in 1974, the year before I was born. I haven't seen Dad in almost 2 years, and oddly enough the painting looks a little more like the last time I saw him rather than the 34 year old picture.

Shrimp Cocktail

This is a study for a painting that I am about to begin of a life-size Caribbean Flamingo. Flamingos get their pink coloring from the shrimp in their diet.

I would only serve my flamingo the best so I was going to incorporate this shrimp cocktail entree into the painting but I am not 100% sold on the idea.

Robbie #1

God love his patience. Thank you Robbie for sitting so still. Dare I suggest a Robbie sketch series...

Bird Studies

This is a mixed media piece of nesting Black Phoebe chicks. I used gouache, pastels, charcoal, graphite, and water color pencils on watercolor paper. It makes me feel uneasy to not have at least one painting in progress but I feel I should take a break for a few days until I start something major. I can't stop with the sketches though, I am having so much fun experimenting with mixed media. I just want to get better.

Bashful

I've been working on this painting for a little while now and happy to say that I just put the finishing touches on this afternoon. Not a bad way to spend July 4th!

This is a Sumatran Rhino calf with a Whooping Crane chick atop his head. I placed them where any self-respecting rhino and chick would be found...the bathtub. At 44"x30", this is larger than

most of the pieces that I've working on lately. This painting is part of the endangered species series. To learn more about the Sumatran Rhino and Whooping Crane visit The Nest Egg Art Project. I always find myself thinking the same thing when I get close to finishing a painting. You spend so much time and effort in the process of a painting. You encounter and try to tackle challenges and continually learn. There is always some point in the painting (usually several) when I feel like I've never picked up a paintbrush before and I have no idea what I am doing. Having felt all of these feelings within the course of a painting, I always have to laugh that I am being so serious on a painting that is so ridiculous.

Help, I Can't Stop!

Help, I need an intervention! I can't stop with the mixed media on watercolor paper bird studies. This is a White-bellied Sea Eagle. Ahhhh, I think I am going in for more, I found an incredibly wonderful picture of a Greater Adjutant...

Dalmatian Pelican

Even though the 30 Sketches Project II is over I think I am still in the habit of sketching everyday. Not a bad thing, it keeps me off the streets.

I would like to continue to experiment with mixed media pieces. This Dalmatian Pelican is on a sheet of 20"x15" watercolor paper. I first used watercolor pencils, then went in with a sparse amount of charcoal and pastels. I really enjoyed working on it.