It’s been awhile since I laid this out, so it’s high time to start painting…

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

Sunset Snowy Owl
Bubo scandiacus
Acrylic on Gessobord, 16x20”
Complete @ 36 hours

It’s DONE! I think I finally struck the balance between contrast and color harmony. This is just a photograph that I color-matched as best I could on my unreliable LCD laptop screen, but once I can get it to a scanner, I will be selling prints of this piece, so keep your eyes peeled!

Sunset Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)
WIP (23 hours)
Acrylic on Gessobord, 16” x 20”

I’m still chugging away at this painting! It’s taking shape a little more each day. There’s still a lot that I want to fix, but I’m finally overcoming “the blahs” stage!

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
WIP - layout

Been planning a new painting, and this week has been taken up by layout and research! This piece was inspired by my walks up in Coyote Hills - in fact, that very rock is the exact spot where I’ve seen American Kestrels virtually every time! I’m leaning towards doing this one in watercolor… may even turn it into a “raptors of the Bay Area” series at some point.

I also discovered the amazing Feather Atlas put together by US Fish and Wildlife while researching this piece. If you are an artist who draws/paints North American birds, bookmark that site! It is a godsend for feather reference!

Western Scrub-Jay
WIP, 8”x10”

Now that I’m getting settled into my new home at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, it’s time to get down to work! There’s lots of charismatic Western Scrub-Jays around the visitors center, so I see them out the window all day long. I couldn’t not draw one! This is just an ink outline, but I’m in the process of adding watercolor now. Keep an eye out for the final version!

Snowy Owl Sunset
Bubo scandiacus
Digital Color Thumbnail

I saw this snowy owl on a trip up to Boundary Bay, BC last spring, and it’s high time to turn it into a painting! This is a small color thumbnail that I worked up, so now it’s time to start translating it to a physical painting!

Tricolored Heron
Acrylic, 18” x 24”

I’ve finally got this one back from the printer’s so here’s a professional scan! Now, to varnish it… and as every artist knows, that’s incredibly nerve-wracking!

I would like to offer giclée prints at some point, although with moving this weekend it’ll have to wait a bit. I am trying to decide whether to do the original 18”x24” for about $100, or make them smaller and more affordable 9”x12” prints for about $30 each. If you would be interested in either one, please let me know so I can gauge interest!

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)
Thumbnail sketch, 3”x4.5”

Every new painting starts with a simple sketch…

Tricolored Heron
Completed - 24 hours, 15 minutes
Acrylic, 18” x 24”

I FINALLY finished this! It took a lot of tries to get the feathers just right, but the extra time was well worth it! This is just a quick photo, but once I get another piece or two done I’ll get into the printers to get them scanned properly. I’m hoping to submit this piece to some juried exhibitions, so keep your fingers crossed for me!

This painting is based off a photo that I took at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Titusville, FL. I can’t recommend that place enough to all the nature lovers out there! Some of the most amazing bird life in the country, and so easy to get close to them. Plus beautiful scenery. Do yourself a favor and get out there!

Tricolored Heron
WIP - 22 hours
Acrylic, 18” x 24”

After running into some trouble, I had set this painting aside for a couple of months. Today I took another shot at it with a clearer head. I’m still not happy with the forewing, but I’m pretty satisfied with the rest of it. I just got to get those primaries right!