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.

Old-Fashioned Roses

I haven't seen these roses bloom like this in years.

More Art in the Garden

There is a lot of purple in bloom now, including false indigo (top) and Siberian Iris (below). Other purples are sage (May Night, the purplest sage), garlic chives, allium , phlox (at least that is what I think it is), annual petunias, maybe more but it's dark out now and that's all I remember.
The combination of the sage and the yarrow (right) blooming together at the same time is something I look forward to every spring. Some years there is a greater overlap of bloom, and this is one of them. It is such a visual delight.

The Garden As Art

After spending a recent day planting 25 pots of annuals (including buying them, filling the pots with a combination of last year's and new potting soil, deciding what plants go in which pots and where to place the pots, adding the plant food, and watering the whole thing when done), I can say that the garden is ready for viewing. I even gave much consideration to the placement of various rocks, concrete ducks, and even a gazing ball. All of these elements put together, combined with the existing perennials and a few new ones bought from a plant sale, remind me of creating a painting. I plan, step back, walk around, look from different angles, give it some thought, go away and come back in a while to check and recheck my design decisions. Of course, unlike a painting, the garden changes constantly. In the course of one day, especially in spring, new blooms appear, old ones fade. Right now, I love my garden.

Redwings and Cattails, Together Again

There's something right about these two species together in a painting, done before by me and other artists, but Red Wing Blackbirds just go with Cattails. While I was working on the painting, I accidentally knocked over the cattails which were being kept indoors in a vase, and they "exploded" their little fluffy seeds all over everything.