2 by 2

Cedar Waxwings are social birds, so I felt it was necessary to paint more than one bird at a time. I'm leaning toward multiples in my bird paintings lately. Here they look very busy in the crabapple tree.


Just finished: Cedar Waxwings, Original Watercolor by Anne Gilna

Shining Bright

It's time again for the maple tree in my backyard to produce
its annual display of color. I search the ground for the best
examples, and start painting before they dry up. There are a
few days each October when the tree is at its height of color
and in the afternoon when the sun shines at the right angle
the inside of the house glows with a rosy hue. Then, after a few
memorable days, it passes, until the next year.

My Little Chickadees

New this fall - more chickadees. The stiff structure and variegated foliage of the zebra grass in my garden provides the right backdrop for the black-capped chickadees. The grass was just about to bloom at the time, but I didn't want the plumes in the painting. I thought they would cause too much visual clutter. For some reason, I don't want to paint just one chickadee. They are too small and social to appear alone.

Screechy and Streaky

The Owl is finished.

Streaky

I'm working on a commissioned painting of a screech owl. I've done one of these before, and it's like most birds of prey species, characterized by very streaky and barred feather patterns. Also, because the owl is so fluff-feathered, it can shift its shape from lean to puffball. I want it to look relaxed, so I'll fluff it out a bit. I'm trying to avoid the cartoon-like owl's face with the staring eyes. This is a challenge, and I'll post the finished work soon.

A Cool-Looking Bird

I think the Kestrel is the best looking bird around. It's relatively easy to paint, for a bird of prey. There's a minimum of streaking (at least on the male) and the basic colors, indigo, black, and burnt siena, are almost, but not quite, right out of the tube.



Here is my latest original watercolor, American Kestrel, by Anne Gilna 2010

July Snapshot

The latest blooms: Bee Balm, Purple Coneflower, black-eyed Susan, Joe Pye Weed, Balloonflower, Liatris, Russian Sage. Still hanging in there: lady's mantle, yarrow.