Here is some photos of my work on a painting that I
did last summer (2006).
I start with some digital photos that I took last spring in my yard.
We have orioles who love to drink from our hummingbird feeders
every May. This guy and I were having a stare down one morning
last year. I had to position myself at the window and wait for
him. They are very skittish and will fly if you make the
slightest movement.
This is a weeping cherry tree that I have in our
front yard. About two years ago I thought it was dead. It
was covered in scale. I trimmed it back- we knick named it
"Stumpy" at that point and then I sprayed the scale off with
water from the garden hose. I was pretty sure we would be
replacing it the next summer, but thankfully I was wrong. It
continues to grow and bloom now.
Here I have drawn out the bird and tree branch
together. I started with the background, carefully going around
the bird and flowers.
I am always too anxious to start painting the bold
colors. I hope it works out.
Now the bird starts to take more shape and
definition.
Many mistakes and scrubbings later I am nearing the
end of the painting. I have a few problem areas that I am
working on....
I was about to get rid of this painting, but after
a few dear friends encouraged me to keep working on it, I salvaged
it. You will have to come to one of my shows to see the final
product.
