Snow Goose Painting in Progress

About a week and a half ago I stopped by the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge on my way back from the Peppertree Art Show (which was an amazing end to one of the best shows in the country). Many species were numerous on the refuge including white-fronted geese and snow geese. This group of geese was one of many to come into the refuge while we were there. At times, tens of thousands would get up and swirl around like a massive tornado then set back down.

This painting is in progress. My goal is to give the geese a smooth, soft, realistic appearance. Other than that, you can get the idea of what it will look like.

Peppertree Art Show Grand Finale!

Currently I am on the road heading to Santa Ynez for the final installment of the Peppertree Art Show. This 32-year old show is coming to an end of a long and prestigious run. At this last show they will have 100 artists, who have been involved with the Peppertree through the years, in attendance with each showing four of their best paintings. It should be quite an extravaganza and jam packed with Bob Eubanks hosting the festivities. The show, which is by invitation only, is this Saturday and Sunday at the Peppertree Ranch. To obtain an invitation you can visit their website or call (805) 688-6205.
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Fern Ridge Redhead

This painting has been selected as the new 2009 Oregon Ducks Unlimited Sponsor print. A lone drake redhead rockets into the marsh at Fern Ridge Wildlife Area. I saw this scene during the Spring, which is why the drakes colors are so striking - it's breeding season. More information and the artist proof prints are available here.
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Preening Egret

This cattle egret is in it's breeding plumage. Normally, it is a pure white bird, but the orange tinge and wispy feathering shows up during the Spring to help attract a mate. The dark background helps highlight the subtle color differences of this elegant bird.

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Bewick's Wren

I saw this wren flitting and darting amongst a brush pile and thought he might look good against some reeds. The purpose of the reeds is not only to provide some natural habitat but to give the painting direction most of the movement follows the birds gaze. To see more information regarding this painting you can follow this link - Bewick's Wren.

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Mule Deer

A group of alert mule deer stand under a juniper tree in the fading evening light as the last rays of sun brush across the landscape. This is high desert country and these deer are located in the saddle of a butte. They are naturally wary because of their main predator in the area - the mountain lion. Their large ears focus for any unusual sound that may mean they could be in trouble.

This painting is 12"x24" and is an acrylic on board.

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Show Preview

As mentioned in the previous entry, I have a show opening Saturday at the Elsinore Gallery in Salem featuring my daily paintings. Brent Allen put in some serious hours prepping the 50+ miniatures to create the exhibition. Here's a preview:

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Nature in Miniature

This Saturday is the opening of a unique and special show that will feature 50 miniature paintings ranging in size from 4"x4" to 5"x7" - basically the size of a postcard! There will also be limited edition prints and a few larger originals as well. Hope to see you there!
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Women's Outdoor Wire

Today was the first installment of a new monthly column to be published in the Women's Outdoor Wire newsletter. The article was introductory and touched on the importance of observation and about painting what moves you. This is an exciting opportunity and future articles will touch on painting tips, inspiration behind certain paintings and really anything that has to do with wildlife art. Here is a link to the website for more information - click here.

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Local Show

I have a show coming up at the Elsinore Gallery in downtown Salem, Oregon that will run through the month of November. The show will focus on my daily paintings, which are affordable miniature original paintings in the 4"x4" to 5"x7" range. There will be a reception from 3-5pm on Saturday, Nov. 1st. The exhibition will also feature a couple of larger originals as well as a selection of limited edition prints. The purpose of the show, however, is to showcase these unique originals. Below are some examples and if you would like to see more of my daily paintings, there is a special blog dedicated to them at this link - Daily Paintings Blog. There is also a subscription link on the blog where you can receive a new painting each time one is posted.

Pheasant 4"x4" Acrylic on Board

Water Buffalo 5"x5" Acrylic on Board

Winter Barn 5"x5" Acrylic on Board

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Back from Minnesota

I just came back from Wild Wings' Fall Festibal in Minnesota and had a great time! One thing that is really enjoyable about the show is hanging out with the other artists. Many topics come up and it is great to be able see everybody. Below is the group that stayed over an extra night.

(pictured from left: Anthony Padgett, Stefan Savides, Chris Cummings, me, Valeria Yost, Lee Kromschroeder, John Wilson, Susan Bourdet, Dawn Simpson, and Shirley Clearly's hands)My Website

Wild Wings Fall Festival

The Fall Festival is this weekend in Lake City, MN and I will be attending the two day event. I am looking forward to what is always a fantastic weekend that features original paintings by many of Wild Wings' artists, wildlife demonstrations, and great food! For more information you can follow this link - Fall Festival

Go Oregon State!!!

This isn't really art related (at all), but my wife, Rachelle, and I had the chance to go to the Oregon State - USC football game on Thursday. We were expecting a USC blowout because they were ranked #1 in the country. However, the Beavers pulled off the impossible. The place was a madhouse. The only real way to describe the scene especially late in the 4th quarter was deafening pandemonium! It was incredibly fun to be there. FYI, the below photos were taken with a cell phone.

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Youth Pheasant Hunt 2008

Our annual youth pheasant hunt took place last weekend and will again this weekend. It is a great time for the kids. Mine are too young to hunt but they enjoyed the hot chocolate and donuts and got to see their cousin Kameron get his imit of two birds in six minutes! I'm looking forward to this Sunday again.

Kameron taking a shot at his first bird...

The entire group that hunted with Kameron including Tom and his dog Maggie
All of us after the hunt.
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Daybreak - Wigeon

These wigeon are coming into a pond that they use on a regular basis. Overnight it froze and although they will sometimes land on the ice, they usually head for open water. The coolness of the scene brings back memories of breaking ice while hunting so they do have a place to land.
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The Next Five

This is a private, local pond that is seasonal, so it dries up during the summer months. However, it is near the Willamette River and attracts good numbers of ducks when it holds water. This painting depicts a fairly typical morning. The flight is usually pretty fast and furious around first light and slows as it gets later. One thing that I noticed with this piece is that when it is in darker light, the landscape looks like it is earlier in the morning. If the painting is in brighter lighting it looks later in the morning. So, if you look at it in natural light as the sun comes up, it gives the viewer the feeling of actually being there and witnessing the sunrise.
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Another in Progress

Here's yet another painting that I've been working on. There is going to be a flurry of finished paintings soon - probably next week. There are even a few that haven't been posted here as 'in progress'. I've been painting like a madman - hahahaha!My Website

Painting in Progress - Mule Deer

Below are a couple of photos showing the progression of a new painting that I am working on. (The eagle and rocks are getting a breather) You can see from the bottom picture, which is the older version, that another deer has been added and the large juniper tree has actully been broken into two trees. There are going to be lots of grasses and the streaking, low sunlight should become more apparent as the painting progresses even more.

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Eagle Rock continued....

...more detail has been added and I am going to take it even further with the rock detail.
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Eagle Rock (In Progress)

With this painting I am focusing on the subtleties of the rock. There are so many colors and nooks and crannies. It has been fun to explore and although the eagle appears as the focus, the rocks have been fun to work on. I may get into the back feathers of the eagle in much the same way I am approaching the rocks - but I am a ways from getting to the detail of the bird. It is there more for perspective than anything right now.
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Orcas

A mother and calf orca search the lush and fertile Vancouver Island coastline. I saw these whales this past July and was awestruck by their beauty. Each time they surface they blow and the noise is incredible. With this painting I wanted to capture the feeling of the Northwest with the fog, clouds and abundant wildlife.
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International Guild of Realism

I recently found out that I have been accepted into the International Guild of Realism, a website that showcases realistic artists from around the world. This is very exciting news and I look forward to my relationship with the guild and to the upcoming exhbition opporunities.

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Painting in Progress - Orcas

A mother and calf search near shore for prey. I saw these whales while in BC in late July and it's my first orca painting. The pod I saw had about 10 whales in it and they were in the more open waters of the Queen Charlotte Strait. Here I have them near the shore with some classic Northwest weather. Stay tuned for more updates as I get into the details of the trees and rocks. There may even be a few gulls on the rocks.
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Winter Wings

This scene of Big Darby Creek was inspired by a photograph taken by Jerry Swanson who lives near the river in Ohio. What inspired me to create a painting from his photograph was the cool, winteriness of the image and the fact that the geese were flying low to water that also seemed to be gliding along. The painting is an acrylic on board and measures 20"x30" inches.
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2008 Federal Duck Stamp Entry

Here is my entry into this year's federal duck stamp contest. With this painting I was going for a more romantic lighting. The habitat is classic Willamette Valley and was inspired from a private pond where I have the opportunity to hunt.My Website

Federal Duck Stamp Time

Every August, hundreds of artists from across the country create paintings for one of the most rigorous, yet rewarding, art competitions in the US - the Federal Duck Stamp Contest. I have been busy working on mine since July and it is getting closer to being to finished. Actually, the only thing left is the painstaking detail that is required to be competitive. Below are a few examples of my past entries. Some have done really well, and others have not. I should note that there are 5 species to choose from each year and each painting is 7"x10". Later this week I will post this year's entry.

Some Past Entries
this one didn't win the federal, but won another stamp competition later that year
1997 - one of my first entries
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Fantastic New Reference Material

I just got back from the annual fishing trip to British Columbia that I take with my Dad and a close family friend each year. This year the wildlife really seemed in abundance as a couple of pictures can attest. There will be two paintings for sure from this trip including one of some killer whales.

A bald eagle keeps an eye out from atop a sailboat.

A pod of orcas took over our fishing area. There were about ten whales and they put on quite a display!

A Port Hardy sunset. The Silver Fox, captained by Ian Anderson, was our home for five incredible days.

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Commissioned Painting

This painting was actually seen by Senator Frank Morse who has a place in British Columbia. A bear was trying to get to a moose calf while it's mother protected it. In brief, the gentleman approached in a boat and shouted. As he did so, both animals which were practically nose-to-nose, looked up right at him. The image was burned in his mind and now has become a painting that he will hang in his capitol office. For more information on commissioned paintings you can click the link below.

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One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

The above 20"x30" painting has been in progress for quite some time and is proving to be a serious challenge. I think it is one of those paintings where a step forward in my abilities could be made. The thing about taking a step forward is that sometimes it takes two steps back and it's those steps where the real learning takes place. This painting has been like that. One day, I'll work on it and feel that great progress has been made and other days, I'll paint for hours and leave thinking that the painting is worse than it was before I started. The hard part, for me, has been blending the numerous branches and the mist to create depth and realism. The image above is the painting in it's current state - now it's back to work.
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PFDA

It's that time of year again! The Pacific Flyway Decoy Association's (PFDA) annual wildfowl art festival is going to take place on Saturday and Sunday at the Doubletree Hotel in Sacramento. The show features live woodcarving demonstrations, decoy competitions, and, yes, wildlife art! I will be at the show with about 35 miniature originals (including the one pictured), framed and unframed prints, and a couple of larger originals. The weekend is always fun and there are some amazing artists that attend. If you are in the area, drop by.

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Tucson

This past week I spent some time in Tucson and while there, gathered some reference to complete some desert scenes. The birdlife was incredible as was the weather. There was even an encounter with a live Arizona bark scorpion in the bathroom to make the desert experience complete! Future paintings will come from this trip, but for now here are a couple of photos.

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Hooded Merganser

This new 9"x12" painting is as much about the water as it is about the duck. While the hooded merganser is the main focal point of the painting, I really focused on the reflections creating a subtle swirl into the duck. Incidentally, his look assists with this directional movement. It's subtle, but it's there and it's intended. I think this helps add a bit of depth as well.
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Oregon DU Competition

These three images were submitted to the Oregon Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year competition, which is taking place today at the state convention in Hood River, OR. All are small originals and will compete with entries from other artists around the state. The winning entry will be reproduced as a limited edition print that will be a part of the DU Sponsor package. Monies raised from the package directly benefit wetland habitat, not only in Oregon, but throughout the country. I have been fortunate enough to use my art to help wildlife conservation for many years. If one of these entries is chosen I will post it on the blog.


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Misty Morning Mallards

This 8"x10" painting of three mallard coming in at sunrise is along the lines of some of the more recent paintings I have been doing that are primarily a landscape with distant ducks as part of the scene. With this piece I was really going for the mood of the morning and to create the effect, a much simpler palette was used.
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Hooded Merganser (In Progress)

A painting I have been working on... it's seems to be more about the reflections in the water and the movement in the water that swirls in towards the striking merganser.
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