Deer and Pine

 

Seven deer met me on the lane when I returned a bit ago, so one is on my easel this evening.  The countryside is quiet when the air is cold and many leaves have already fallen from the trees.  Such a night inspires me to capture the wildlife, quite docile and unafraid of us.  They actually like my dog, and come close to the house to see him.  He likewise wags his tail and runs towards them when he sees them in the yard, or he ignores them completely as if they were just trees.  I'm looking forward to the quiet hours of winter with ink, watercolor and paper.  Painting number 5027 in 5027 days. 

House Finch and Pine

This sweet house finch frequents my feeders and my front porch, perching on my string of Edison lights.  He kept me company as I tended my flowers, preparing to winter some over indoors.  As I sketched him, he popped in and out, hanging with the other birds who love the depth of my bridal white spirea at the porch's edge.  I'm using new ink in this new TWSBI Diamond fountain pen, a blue black from Robert Oster. Of course, I love it. I love all of his signature inks that I have tried.  I'm thinking of using a bird theme for this year's Christmas cards, I do live my time spent in nature.  Painting number 5187 in 5187 days. 

Chicadee and Pine

 

The little chicadees kept me company as I worked in the garden, and then I painted one! I'm using three inks, Diamine Nutcracker, Robert Oster's Detox, and Levenger Raven black on a watercolor paper I thought was handmade..... but now I'm not so sure sure... It should be cotton, but I don't think it's 100% based on the ink and water reaction.  It's not bad, but it's different, and every new paper is an exploration of how it handles my specific technique.  I love spending time in nature, and the birds are begging to be painted!  Painting number 5184 in 5184 days. 

Pine Cones

Today finds me painting a couple of pinecones adorning one of the front porch trees, ones that wet brought back from Estes Park.  Another of my Christmas card paintings, the calm and airy slice of nature soothes my soul as I paint.  My brother's family is in town and we've been playing cards and board games, and this is the perfect break between visits!  Painting number 3995 in 3995 days.  I'm happy to find blogger working tonight, I'll have to go in and edit the previous two nights to add info to them.

Tiny Cardinal in the Tree - miniature

Tiny Cardinal in the Tree
Acrylic on canvas - 2x3 with easel
GOT Art Gallery Holiday Trunk Show
sold

What a wonderful and busy weekend!  My cousin married the love of his life last night at the Stone Church in Springfield.  An amazing venue - I longed for my paints as we arrived after sunset, with 5 inches of snow on the ground, and the lights glowing from the windows.  I did not have them.  I will have to attempt that painting from memory, when I have time to put it to canvas.  Being out of town for the weekend puts me behind on everything!  Arriving home tonight to one son back from the Air Force - yay! - and my parents following me from the wedding, I had a house full of family until just now! I have been swimming in family time all weekend!  It was so fun to sit around sharing stories with my cousins, aunts, uncle and parents - it was hard to pull myself away!  What an amazing family I have been blessed with!  Sooooo, now I need to be a painting machine to get finished all I want to do, all while keeping everyone entertained!  Wish me luck!  Painting number 343 in 343 days :)

Miniature Cardinal

Miniature Cardinal
Acrylic on canvas, 3x2 with easel
GOT Art Gallery Holiday Trunk Show - sold

Painting in this miniature size is so much fun!  On these busy days, I have been working on much larger pieces between the little ones - and these small ones are like taking a vacation!  It is like a sweet escape in the midst of lots of work - truly a joy.  I bought supplies for nine more this afternoon, and will have to prime them all and paint the easels tomorrow - before ever laying down the first strokes.  Now, I must get to writing my Christmas cards.  I love to send out long, personal messages in each one, so it takes me forever to get them all written!  But, the rewards are endless, because each family knows just how special they are to me - which is priceless.  Seize the day!  Painting number 338 in as many days :)

Nestled in the Pine

Nestled in the Pine
Acrylic on Panel

I have several bird feeders right outside the bay window in my kitchen.  Birds constantly fly from feeder to tree and back again.  Sometimes they line up in a holding pattern on the Rose of Sharon, awaiting an opening to dine.  When it is just too cold to go out and paint, or if I simply prefer to be warmly tucked in with hot tea, I paint from life at this window.  I have always loved birds, and I have quite an assortment to choose from.  This little blue jay is a frequent visitor, along with a few others in his family.  When I paint birds, I prefer the acrylics - by far.  I can paint exact lines and feathers that I just can't get with the creamy oils.  The acrylics lend an airy quality these little creatures.  My mother also loves these bird paintings - and I always think of her when I paint them :)