#47 - Sitting Scissors

Sitting Scissors

#47 in the Birdseed Project

When you finally get a scissortail flycatcher to sit still, you can see AMAZING BEAUTY!

I painted this from a photo I took on Mother's Day, while playing golf with all my kids...it was US vs. my husband...he beat us bad, so the highlight of my day was being with the kids, and seeing this lovely bird sitting still!

 

46 - Scissor Tail Flycatcher

 Scissor Tail Flycatcher

#46 in the Birdseed Project

Every late spring, the scissor tail flycatchers return to Texas for the summertime. Seeing them brings back memories of childhood. It was my mom who introduced me to the scissor tail. We also had them at our farm. They particularly liked to perch on the barb wire, like the one I painted, here.

This is the state bird for Oklahoma. We are grieving with them over the tornado tragedy that happened just today...

Please remember that you can donate to the Birdseed Project!

A handsome little visitor who enjoys the birds at my mom's nursing home. The birds provide interest and distraction for visitors to the home. The residents enjoy them every day, but I see their family members escaping to the windows for a few minutes to watch little bird life outside. Please consider making a contribution to the Birdseed Project. Your tax deductible gift provides feeders and seed, and maybe a NEW BIRDSEED PROJECT to a home near you!. Click to donate to

Threefold Cord Ministries.

Mention Birdseed Project on the ENVELOPE



42 - Red Shouldered Hawk

 

Red Shouldered Hawk__8 x 6 oil on linen panel__$350

#42 in the Birdseed Project

Please read about this important project at the link above, and consider donating!

I painted this from a photo I took of this magnificent bird out in the wild!...Yes, the busy Austin intersection of Parmer Lane and McNiel Road is a VERY wild place! That's where I saw this hawk as I drove by during rush hour! I circled back and went through the intersection again, pulling onto the shoulder and parking RIGHT NEXT to the fence wire where he perched.

Usually hawks are wary and will fly away if you park too close. This one was used to traffic and stayed long enough for me to get a BUNCH of pictures. I watched him (her?) searching the small field area for mice (or something), and flying from fence post to tree and back. He (she) actually outlasted me, and was still there after my memory card filled up and I had to drive away.

28 - Little Gulls

Little Gulls___6x6 oil study for SEWE

#28 in the Birdseed Project

SEWE is the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, held this time every year in Charleston, South Carolina. It is a great venue for all kinds of wildlife art. This year my theme is, of course, BIRDS! I have all my bird paintings packed up for the show!

The one above was so fun to paint, I followed up this little study with a larger 12 x 12 work...I will post that one tomorrow!

24 - Webs on the Rocks

Webs on the Rocks__8x10 oil on canvas

#24 in the Birdseed Project

Working with high school artists is a lot of fun. I especially enjoy helping them see easy solutions to things they always thought to be difficult. Here, we worked with oil sticks (are those the same as oil pastels?)...see the first step at the bottom, the second step in the middle, and the final step at top.

This lesson was to demonstrate how to create "distance" with atmospheric perspective (compare the near rocks from the far ones?).I also talked a lot about "shapes of shadows", "drawing with light", "Color in the shadows" and a few other little lessons. TMI for these new painters, but enough to make them BRAVE...you ought to see their works!

 

Webs on the Rocks___State 2

 



Webs on the Rocks___State 1

23- Mocking Back

Mocking Back__6x8 oil on linen panel___$390 framed for Southeastern Wildlife Exposition

#22 in the Birdseed Project

I hope you can zoom in on this one...it is one of my favorites...maybe because my favorite bird is the mocking bird. It is the state bird of the great state of Texas, and another state or two! Please click the link above if you are not familiar with my Birdseed Project! I am thrilled to see the word spread, and to see things HAPPENING!...Right now I am framing, packing and doing last minute paintings for SEWE in Charleston, SC. I ship the works next week, and then I will have some news to share about my birdseed project...including the real "official" project name!!!

20-Magpie Stand

Magpie Stand

8x6 oil on linen panel_available FRAMED at Act I Gallery, Taos, NM

#20 in the Birdseed Project

Here is a link about the Birdseed Project. It is an exciting little thing I am doing for a great cause! I have two really cool things "cooking" with this, so PLEASE keep watching and listening for the latest!

I am stepping up "production" of the little bird works so that I can send some to my galleries and shows, and spread the word about the project!

Speaking of shows, there will be a special theme show, "Twilight" at Act I Gallery in Taos, NM, starting in a few weeks. Southwest Art Magazine did a feature on the gallery and the exhibit. The magazine used my painting "Past Their Prime" to lead off the magazine article, and another one called "Morning Star Transit" to lead off the web article!

http://www.southwestart.com/events/act-one-feb2013

Click the link and you can see many of the works in the show, including 4 of my bigger ones...of course, if you follow my blog, you have seen these already!...but now you know where to get them! :) Please tell your friends