Work in Progress

 This large oil (24" x 48") is heading for the Southeastern Wildlife Expo (SEWE) in mid-February. It's not finished yet - very much a work in progress. I'll probably add three flying egret, flying from left to right. They'll be small, as it is the landscape I'm talking about, not the birds. The oil is inspired by the landscape at Ace Basin, about an hour south of Charleston - though it could be anywhere. I've been painting small studies of this landscape for years. This is my first attempt to paint a really BIG piece based on small studies

I may call the painting 'Counterpane' from a song I learned years ago in New Zealand. I've googled the words and find no record of it online.

Day has passed in crimson splendour
night has come with noiseless tread
and upon the darkening landscape
soft her counterpane has spread.

Another Bun for Today's Study

Today's oil study looks like I labored over it for a long time, but it didn't take long to paint.
The study is not as detailed as it appears here.  I'm working on a smooth gessoed board and use rags to move paint around.  The weave of the rag can leave really interesting textures.  Most of this little guy was 'painted' using a rag.   I've been on a bunny kick lately....perhaps because in the past I've had so much trouble painting small mammals.  I will keep painting them until I figure them out.

232 - Rabbit

7" x 5" oil study on board, unframed

$75 plus $6 shipping within the U.S.

SOLD

A Cardinal for Today's Oil Study

I was inspired by the little rabbit I did a few days ago so wanted to try a few oil studies with that soft look.   This is more detailed than I intended - but oh well - tomorrow is another day.

231 - Cardinal

7" x 5" oil study on board, unframed

$75 plus $6 shipping within the U.S.

SOLD

The Bun of the Day

 Neon Bun (for lack of a better title for now)

7" x 5" oil on Ampersand panel
SOLD

I've been lax on my 75/75 project but I've been getting commissions out of the way.  I also rephotographed a few of my unsold 75's that did not photograph well and have posted them below.

222 - Chipmunk
SOLD

199 - Osprey
SOLD

Artist's Cottage for Sale - More Info!

Since this morning's post about my cottage, I've had four inquiries.....so I'm posting a couple more photos.

My Artist's Cottage (and it's for sale!)

Taken from my front door

I live in one of the prettiest places in the United States...Oak Creek Canyon, which runs from Sedona up towards Flagstaff in Northern Arizona.  I bought a cottage in the canyon 34 years ago.  Now I'm ready to sell and return to New Zealand where I'll live 8 months of each year.  The other four will be spent in the U.S. resupplying my galleries and spending time with my grandkids. It is about 1200 s.f.  2 or 3 bedroom (I use the largest bedroom as a studio), 1.5 baths.  I am in a small neighborhood of 15 homes - almost all used as second homes.  No short-term rentals allowed - so the neighborhood is quiet and private.  We're surrounded by Forest Service land....ponderosa, oak, pinon and sycamore.  The house is about 100' from the creek and included legal deeded creek access. There are critters in the woods including white-tailed deer, black bear, raccoon, ring-tailed cat, etc.   If you're interested in more information on my house (the perfect second-home) let me know and I'll send you more information.

I'm Back! A Spotted Towhee Study for Today

I really didn't intend to take so much time off, but first there was Christmas - then the grandkids were here - then the weather has been so gorgeous with close to 70 degree weather (I'm usually shoveling snow at this time of year)  so of course I had to work outside in the garden.  Today is the first day back in the studio since before Christmas.

My Christmas card of a junco in the snow has inspired me to do more snow studies.  This is a spotted towhee, formerly known as a rufous-sided towhee.  They're fairly common where I live but I still get a thrill when I see one as they're such pretty birds.

230 - Spotted Towhee

5" x 7" oil study on board, unframed

$75 plus $6 shipping within the U.S.

Oops, I just realized that I didn't post my Christmas card here - so here it is - better late than never.
I posted this on my website and Facebook, and someone contacted me asking for purchase information.  I'm sorry, but I can't find your email.  Could you please contact me again!  Thanks.

......and without the text.

December Junco

6" x 10" oil on board