Cardinal

 

We've had so many cardinals out in the snow  - so I just HAD to paint one!  So many were sitting on the ground under the feeders, gathering seeds dropped by other birds.  The north side was sheltered from the wind, and they shared the space with other feathered friends.  Perhaps I'll paint a few of them tomorrow!  Painting number 4771 in 4771 days. 

Winter Cardinal

We have so many cardinals frequenting the bird feeders, and I love to watch them and sketch them!  The light snow overnight left a perfect dusting on branches to add that winter magic!  So far, the new kittens are only watching the birds, and occasionally climbing the trees to get near them!  Our cats have always gotten along with the birds through the years, and I hope that continues!  Painting number 4765 in 4765 days. 

Cardinal Perch

 

These sweet little cardinals nest here every year, and I get to watch those babies grow to raise their own families, too.  I pulled out a selection of cardinal paintings for a patron to choose her favorite.  She selected this one, which I had never posted.  I used very heavy watercolor board at a time when I was newly exploring the medium.  It didn't feel finished, and is a little different than my usual work.  I'm so happy it found a home where it will be cherished as a remembrance of her mother.  Painting number 4716 in 4716 days. 

Cardinal

 

I love to paint my feathered friends in ink and watercolor - especially on such a beautiful January day!  The feeders need filling but I'm getting in a quick sketch before I go watch sweet Quinn and Layne this afternoon.  I'm getting used to the paper in this new journal and I've actually used a little gouache on this painting with the ink and watercolor.  It's fun to keep honing my skills, and I sure don't have a shortage of models around here!  Painting number 5082 in 5082 days. 

Winter Cardinal

And Christmas card crunch time continues as I paint this one in my kitchen!  With ink and watercolor I sketch a little slice of my world, to send out to family with a holiday greeting.  I am simplifying my subject matter this Christmas, longing to settle down and enjoy the little things.  All of life is about the little things, and I want to make them count.  Painting number 3991 in 3991 days. 

Cardinal Wreath

As I finish this season's paintings, shipments and deliveries, I now turn to my Christmas card painting.  I choose a different theme each year, and this year I drifted between multiple themes, unable to choose!  With the early snow, I painted several in oil for my cards.  Then I painted those bold and bright ornaments - what a cheerful card those would make, and I painted several!  Santas in pen and ink?  Acrylic Union Station paintings?  As my workload started to wind down, I was drawn to a simpler, more peaceful reflection of the season.  I began to paint little slices of home in ink and watercolor.  This vintage wreath in one I found in Sedalia while antique shopping with my mom - and I loved the light and airy feel of it, almost like it is icy and glistening.  I love the process of capturing this, so therapeutic is the act during a busy season.  It brings the simple pleasures back into focus, and the anticipation of making new memories here with the family through the holidays.  I am truly blessed beyond measure. Painting number 3990 in 3990 days. 

Red Robin Cardinal

With this new pale pink glass dip pen, I sketch out the little bird in front of me.  I filled the feeders this morning and it did not take them long to return!  I like the ink flow this pen has.  Besides it's lovely, spiral shape, the nib holds a lot of ink. I did all the line work with 2 dips in my newest ink to try - Diamine's Red Robin!  It is a rich, coppery red, which builds up to really get dark where heavily applied.  With water, it washes out warm and orangy.  This nib is very fine, and the ink flows right to the tip when held at a slant.  Love the little gifts of the Diamine Inkvent Calendar!  Painting number 3264 in 3264 days. 

Cardinal!

purchase here

Grabbing another new set of Watercolor Confections, the Complexion palette, I headed to the northern bird feeders.  With so many lovely browns, yellows, warm reds and black, I thought it the perfect choice for many birds.  As several cardinals were about, I took the opportunity to start my sketch of one on a branch. As I wet the brush to choose a red, I realized there were no vibrant reds.  Red oxide is simply not the color of a cardinal.  And as I reached for shadow shades, I was also disappointed. So, I abandoned that idea and went back to my old "go-to" set, and all was easy again.  There are not enough cool shades on that other palette for outdoor work.  I wonder if it will even work on portraits.  Painting number 2573 in 2573 days and a fabulous play off win for our KC Chiefs!!

Cardinal on the Branch

Cardinals nest in our yard each year, many staying from year to year.  These beauties frequent the feeders all winter long, as well as many others.  Right outside the window, I can easily paint them as they flit about.  Using acrylics on a gallery wrapped canvas for this miniature painting.  Painting number 2163 in 2163 days.

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Cardinal in the Flowering Pear

Cardinal in the Flowering Pear
Pen and ink on paper, 5x7

The flowering pear on the front lawn could not be more abundant with blooms, and this sweet little female cardinal has found a favorite perch!  I love capturing the spring beauty with pen and ink, freely using my pen as I squiggle on those petals feathers and bark.  I have a wonderful collection of india ink Pitt pens, but I return again and again to my favorite superfine and brush tips.  It seems I don’t even pick the others up until my favs runs completely out of ink.... and then, of course, I do!  This drawing is the 1173rd piece of completed artwork in 1173 days.

Cardinal in the Forsythia

Cardinal in the Forsythia
Oil on panel, 7x5
auction - bid here

Feeling a bit under the weather today, I slip back into my comfort zone to paint something cheerful from the yard.  The forsythias are now in full bloom, and their radiance in the sunlight is spectacular.  We have an abundance of cardinals around here, as they nest in the largest rose bush each year.  I brushed in the background first, thinking I would palette knife the other parts into this background.  But, as I worked, I wanted to let the brushstrokes speak for the feathers, and let the knife cut in the branch and foliage. It feels more dimensional this way. This is painting number 818 in 818 days :)

Cardinal on the Cedar

Cardinal on the Cedar
Oil on panel, 6x4 - sold

Continuing on the bird theme of the last couple of days - I am painting another!  First cats, then birds, what next?  Once again, I am painting to fit my time window - small at 6x4 inches.  This is such a comfortable size to get done quickly.  This little guy was flying from feeder to cedar this afternoon - making him the subject du jour.  Tomorrow will be full - I will be getting the Christmas stuff down from the attic - and then the real fun begins!  I just hope we can get it all done over the weekend!  This cardinal makes painting number 699 in 699 days!

Fairy Flight

Fairy Flight
Oil on panel, 6x5

This little flight of fancy is painted on a textured wood panel in an odd, small size.  It has been one of those days that I would love to "fly away" myself, with nothing but the wind in my face and my cares on the ground.  Even though my dad is improving, my mind is rather cluttered right now- and it makes the composing difficult.  I feel like I need some background down below, but can't decide quite what. So, if in doubt - don't!  One of the painting rules - so I have left it out. I had a heavy acrylic undercoating on this, which made the paint really slip around.  Maybe, I'll change things up tomorrow.  Painting number 414 in as many days.

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 :)

Cardinal in the Pine

Cardinal in the Pines
Acrylic on canvas - gallery wrapped, 4x4
GOT Art Gallery Holiday Trunk Show

I now have over 30 paintings showing at Got Art Gallery on 3rd St. in Lee's Summit, MO.  After setting these up today for a speical holiday "trunk sale", and a wonderful Christmas party for our Summit Art group, I am finally home to post what I had painted very early this morning.  This is one of the many cardinals that visit my feeders, flying from branch to branch.  The feeders are right outside my kitchen window, which is a wide bay - giving me the perfect spot to paint the great outdoors from the comfort of my home!  I am working in acrylics for the second day in a row, because this was one to be delivered today!  It was much easier to move into the groove of this medium today than it was yesterday.  It was even fun - I always loved a challenge!  Painting number 332 in as many days - come see me tomorrow night at the gallery 5:00-9:00 :)

Cardinal at Rest

Cardinal at Rest
Oil on wood panel, 6x6

I don't think I've painted a bird since January!  I really do enjoy everything about them - their song, the flitting from branch to branch, and their graceful movements.  Each year, cardinals nest in a giant old Seven Sisters rose bush, raising their babies, and bringing them to the feeders outside my kitchen window.  They are so striking in the winter landscape with their crimson feathers.  I must now get back to framing, them to start on my cards before heading over to our oldest daughter's house for yet another holiday get-together.  I have been itching to paint a couple of large winter landscapes for my own walls for the season, but I just don't know when I am going to get that squeezed in.  Painting number 329 in 329 days :)