"Great-Horned Owl Triptych"

"Great-Horned Owl Triptych" oil

Since my return from the Birds In Art exhibition at the Woodson Museum in Wausau, the paint has been flying! The trip this year was especially inspiring and I'm riding this wave of productivity as long as it lasts. These little 8x8 studies were a lot of fun. I wanted to concentrate mostly on the brushwork and getting some big juicy blobs of paint down. One of the most difficult things for me is putting down a big fat brush stroke and then leaving it alone! I have a compulsion to fiddle with the paint until all the brushy painterly freshness is gone. I might have to start wrapping myself on the knuckles if that continues!!!

Birds In Art 2015

"Twilight Watch"

I got the "BIG email" Thursday morning with news of my acceptance into the 2015 Birds In Art exhibition at the Woodson Art Museum in Wausau. The painting "Twilight Watch" made the cut and I couldn't be happier. It will be great to see all my BIA friends again on opening weekend in September.
While 2015 marks my 9th consecutive year in the Birds In Art exhibit, this one is special. In the past, my entries were painted in acrylic. This year I held my breath entering oil paintings for the first time. So along with the sigh of relief, the acceptance email offered up some uplifting and inspirational validation for the new direction of my work.

"Twilight Watch"

"Twilight Watch" 12x24 oil

I got this one in just under the wire! "Twilight Watch" will be one of my 2015 Birds In Art entries. Keeping my fingers crossed for a return trip to Wausau this September!

"Silent Departure"

"Silent Departure" 13x30 oil

I haven't posted in quite a while. There have been big projects on the easel and I wanted to wait until they were about wrapped up before unvailing them.
I'm really happy with this one and glad I took my time with it. I'll be posting another in a day or two. Stay tuned...

"Five Below"

"Five Below" 10x20 acrylic

As much as everyone is sick of winter, I almost feel bad posting this latest painting... almost ;)
I'm always amazed at just how reflective snow is. In this scene, the snow really takes on the hues of the surrounding sky. When I shot the reference photos for this piece, it was one of those crazy cold evenings when the crisp dry air almost hurts to breathe. I had to keep my camera inside my parka so the batteries wouldn't croak!
And yes, there is a great-horned owl winging away from those round bales in the middleground.

Detail view