Yellowstone Trips

In August and September I took two separate trips to Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park as well as surrounding areas. I came away with tons of reference material of elk, grizzly bears, bison, pronghorns and numerous other animals. If you have never been, it is an incredible experience not only for the wildlife, but for the geological features as well.

One of the highlights from the first trip was seeing a grizzly bear up close. Normally, these cause huge traffic jams but it was right at first light and we had him all to ourselves for about 15 mins. as he lifted deadfall searching for insects as close as 20 yards at times. A car finally pulled up behind us as the bear sauntered off into the willows. The guy in the car looked intently to see what we were looking at but must not have seen him as he quickly drove off. He had no idea! I got some fantastic and unique photos that will inspire several paintings. I am trying to figure out how best to approach these shots to create a great painting that best captures the thrill of a grizzly bear encounter.

Above is a finished painting of the Lamar Valley titled Lamar Evening. I was trying to capture the essence of this valley where heards of bison, elk and pronghorn roam. Predators are attracted to the number of animals in this place as it harkens back to a day when there great herds of animals throughout our country. On this particular evening several flocks of Canada Geese lifted off the river and flew by.

Currently I have three paintings in the works from the trip - a coyote, a bull elk (the rut was in full swing in September) and a landscape of some aspens in front of the Tetons. I'll post them as soon as I finish them. Normally, I have posted the paintings as they have progressed, but each is far enough along now that I'll just wait until the finished product.

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Wigeon Study Revised

This 8" x 10" study has been revised from the one that is a few entries below. A lead wigeon has been added closer to the viewer and a bird has also just landed in the water. Some of the reeds have been subtly modified as well to help the ducks stand out a bit more. This gives the painting added life while keeping the hunter's perspective. The study is for a larger commissioned painting for the St. Clair Flats Waterfowlers Incorporated conservation group.
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My Daily Paintings

More Fun With the Camera

I was recently in Central Oregon and got some fantastic pictures. The mule deer were everywhere - we counted 167 in one day! We also found an alfalfa field where hundreds of mallard and Canada geese came in, and kept coming in, to feed.

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Ankeny Hill National Wildlife Refuge

Each Fall, waterfowl migrate to the Willamette Valley to winter. One of the more spectacular sights that one can see are the large flocks of Canada Geese. There are seven subspecies that call Oregon their winter home including the Dusky Canada goose - one of the most threatened waterfowl species in the world. These geese nest exclusively in the Copper River Delta of Alaska and winter exclusively in the Willamette Valley. Three refuges are set aside to help protect these geese - William Finley, Basket Slough and Ankeny Hill (pictured). I regularly visit these refuges to gather reference for my paintings and this morning I was fortunate to be able to see an increasing number of waterfowl (due to our recent storms and cold weather) including this flock of Canada geese coming in.

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Lake Merritt Waterfowl

Last week on the way to the Peppertree Art Show, I stopped to visit my sister and her family in Oakland, CA for a couple of days. In the heart of Oakland is beautiful Lake Merritt - a lake that is somewhat well known among wildlife photographers and artists for it's viewing opportunities. Diving ducks that spend much of their time rafted out of sight on San Francisco Bay often frequent the lake. They are easily acccesible because of their proximity and because they acclimate to the numbers of joggers and other people that use the scenic walkway surrounding the urban lake. Lesser Scaup were the main species present when I was there and are pictured both above and in the video.

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Duck Stamp Ideas

Here are some ideas for the upcoming 2008 Nevada Duck Stamp contest that will feature the Northern Pintail. These are thumbnail sketches which are normally the first step in developing an idea. The first one is only about 2"x3" while the second one is only about 1 inch square. The purpose of these loosely sketched drawings is to look at an idea and to play with the lights and darks.
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More Plein Air Paintings...

Here are a few more plein air paintings (these things are a blast to paint) from this past summer. It is weird to think that Fall is near. Anyway, the first painting is from north of Port Hardy in British Columbia...

This next one is of Suttle Lake near Santiam Pass in Oregon...

And this last one is from the Metolius River which is near Suttle Lake on the eastern slope of the Cascades...
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Field Sketching

My favorite part of being a wildlife artist is spending time in the field observing the animals. Whether it is taking photographs or creating field sketches, the animals always provide the inspiration for the next painting. There is something to be said about experiencing the elements while looking through a spotting scope and capturing the particular bird or animal on a sketchpad...
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