Duckhorn Vineyards

Good News! Both of my pieces sold at the Bolinas Museum Holiday Mini show. Maybe an indication that things are looking up in the art world.

I have a new commission, and commissions are unusual for me. I will be painting the 2008 Artist's label for Duckhorn Vineyards Paraduxx winery. Paraduxx winery has commissioned an artist every vintage since 1994 to create an original painting depicting a "pair of ducks", and the paintings become duck stamp labels for their proprietary blend bottling. They do a limited edition print of the image as well. I went up this week to visit the winery--a completely beautiful place, and what a perfect time to visit Napa Valley. All the vines yellow like Autumn leaves.

Bolinas Museum Mini Show

I took a break from my Peregrine to complete two small pieces--both only 4 inches square--for the Bolinas Museum Holiday Miniature Show. Since most of my paintings take three months, you can imagine how satisfying it has been to finish two pieces in one week.

One painting is a Brown Pelican against clouds. I took my camera when the Blue Angels were flying above San Francisco Bay this fall. The Pelicans were up there too. By chance, I got a good shot that worked with some clouds I had saved last year.

The other is a drawing of a Red-breasted Nuthatch from my own backyard. I took the photo years ago, and believe it or not, I have begun and almost completed three different paintings of this guy and his mate; two in gouache, and one, my only attempt, at oil painting. I was never completely happy with any of them, but I do like this little drawing.

The opening of the exhibition is November 21st, and the show runs through January 3, 2010. Please check the Museum website for hours. The Museum is only open on the weekends.

So now I am back to my Peregrine.

A Peregrine Falcon

A while back I was lucky enough to run into Mary Pounder at WildCare, and take some photos of the Peregrine Falcon, Peli, that now lives there. I am finally getting around to painting this beautiful bird. I'm creating the bird from a mix of many photos, but mainly the two above, one for the bottom wing, one for the top. No photo I take ever seems quite perfect, and I get used to piecing together what I need.

And now I can incorporate my love of sky and clouds with the bird. A long vertical compostion with the bird at the bottom and clouds filling up the rest.

I'll keep you posted.

Finished

It always takes longer than I think to really finish a painting. I feel like it is done, then see there is a little more that I can do to make it just a little better--make the painting feel stronger. Often changes only I can see, and even then I really have to look to see the differences. So the painting is called "Lift", thought I think this Great Egret could be taking off, settling down, or just stretching it's wings.

I've already started a new one. A Peregrine Falcon, but the big element in the painting is the cloud behind it. I am looking forward to winter skies. And clouds, I can't wait to see the clouds in the sky. Right now, I am as focused on the sky as I am the bird.

Almost done

After weeks of building up subtle shading on all the feathers to render the form of this Great Egret, I'm starting to see the end of the tunnel. This is a big painting for me--24" x 18". I think I started this painting back in May.

The thing that seems to be pulling the whole thing together is the blue background. At first the color was too light, and the whole image was diluted. As the background starts to get darker, the Egret begins to shine.

For the first time, I am posting the painting unfinished. For me to save and you to see.

This is the new image

I'm doing a lot of cropping--eliminating all the background and focusing on the bird. The background is just a color, a deep blue. The painting is moving along well.

New Great Egret

I finished the White Pelican, Winter, at least a few months ago. The show at Pelican Studio made me very happy. Wonderful to see all my work up. And I was so happy to see old friends and supporters at the opening.

In September, my work will be on the walls in an upcoming show at the Marin Jewelers Guild in San Rafael, CA.

I have been working on a new Great Egret. The inspiration was a photo from my friend, Richard Pavek. Bird forward, wings outstretched. I'll try to add a photo as I keep working. The bird is so white and clear against a very blue background.

Opening tomorrow

I haven't posted a new blog in quite a while.  I finished "Sonny Boy", a nine month project, and last month completed "Winter".  

Winter is actually the name of the White Pelican I painted who lives at WildCare, but the color and feel of the painting reflects the name as well.  A beautiful bird with a gentle spirit.  The painting will be on view at Pelican Studio in Point Reyes Station.

I've been preparing for my show at Pelican Studio for the past month.  Pelican Studio is now occupying the space where William Lester Gallery had been for over 10 years.  I sat in my studio today and wondered if the rain would keep everyone away from the event tomorrow.

I have two new works to think about.  Again WildCare gave me the inspiration for a new work of a Peregrine Falcon, set against a billowing, clouded sky.  And the next is another Great Egret. 

Moving On

I've been told that if you can't update your blog at least every two weeks, it gets too stale. Well, how stale can it be after eight months? Very stale.

But finally I have finished my painting of "Sonny Boy". Maybe it was the complexity of the feather patterns. Or perhaps the color was just too strong for me to deal with all at once. All I know, is that this painting took an extremely long time to complete. But I am happy with my "Sonny Boy", and hope it does justice to the original Rooster.

So now I am moving on to other birds. A beautiful White Pelican and later a Peregrine Falcon. Both are residents at WildCare.