San Miguel Morning, 8x6 Oil on Canvas

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This is the sight that greeted me on our first morning in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. The little bird posed obligingly on top of the dome. Bougainvilleas bloom profusely there, and there were many flowers I didn't recognize.

One night we went to Mi Casa, and heard incredible music; it was so good that there was no conversation or clanking glasses. The violin practically wept with the sound of moving Argentine music. It was worth the trip to hear something so profoundly beautiful.

One night we had a fiesta at the villa, and eleven Mariachi players strolled in playing their wonderful music. They had everyone dancing and our cook demonstrated how salsa dancing is supposed to be done.

So Festive

Surrounded by Mariachis

Beautiful Music

I Like Big Birds and I Cannot Lie, 8x10 Pen and Ink

I enjoy these zentangle-inspired drawings, though they are pretty time-consuming. There is something meditative about all those patterns. This past couple of years I have undertaken new techniques and adventures; doing collage, zentangle, and now I am working on a Mystery Build project with Cindy Michaud which we will unveil later this year. Mystery Build is an online competition that is completely unique. Stay tuned.

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Black Swan, 6x6 Oil on Canvas

I was so lucky to catch this swan in this light. It turned and made a nice swirl in the water, and gave me such a nice composition. Sometimes all you have to do is paint what you see.

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Drying Off, 6x6 Oil on Canvas Panel

I was going to paint this Anhinga in the Everglades with its wings spread, which is its typical pose. These birds don't have oily feathers, so they must air-dry after being in the water. When I looked at its head, I found it so distinct and comical, I decided to paint just the head instead.    PURCHASE

The Usual Pose

So many birds are funny. The other day we watched people across the street trying to shoot a video commercial, and there were five people whose efforts were completely thwarted by a mockingbird. The bird sits on a very high pole every day and sings as loud as its little lungs can muster, which is pretty darn loud. The people were banging the pole, jumping up and down, waving their arms, but the mockingbird just sang his happy little song. They had to move inside to shoot the commercial.

Spoonbill Stretch, 5x7 Oil on Canvas

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This is my ode to the Spoonbill:

I am a silly bird.

Folks look and say, “What is it?”

My face is like a spoon,

My plumage is exquisite.

Speaking of exquisite things, I went to the Ruth Funk Textile Museum at Florida Tech in Melbourne, FL for an exhibit of beautiful dresses made of garbage. Incredible! It is called "ReDress: Upcycled Style" by Nancy Judd. I was lucky enough to meet the artist, who signed my sketch journal. 

Can you imagine, dresses of crime scene tape, target bags, and inner tubes? Nancy's mission is to save the earth from the garbage left from our conspicuous consumption. She makes us think. Below are my journal sketches, with an inner tube dress and a Carmen Miranda outfit of Target bags.

Ibis Wading, 6x6 Oil on Canvas

I am definitely losing it. As I was finishing this up, I had a feeling of familiarity. I then realized I have painted this very picture before. Then I meant to post it before leaving for the Everglades, but I didn't. I definitely needed the getaway.

Mating Dance of the Alligator

 My Pieces of 8 friends Cindy, Kathy and I (referred to by Cindy as Thelma, Louise 1 and Louise 2) went camping in a tent in the Everglades. No electricity. And yes, it is cold at night down there, believe it or not. Perfect in the daytime, though, and it is a non-mosquito season. I never saw so many alligators, and it is mating season so the booming and posturing were very impressive, rather like a reptilian singles bar.

Home Sweet Home

Cindy Photographing Kathy Photographing Tree Snail

It's a jungle out there. I will now be doing an Everglades series.

The Everglades, 8x10 Oil on Canvas Panel

The Everglades is a wild and wonderful place, constantly threatened by damage caused by human greed or carelessness. The latest problem is pythons, and they are consuming huge amounts of small game, which leaves large game without food. A recent python hunt got rid of some of them, but they reproduce in large numbers, so this is an ongoing battle. I try to look at the beauty and hope for the best for this important ecosystem.

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He Feedeth Among the Lilies, 8x8 Oil on Canvas

This was done from a photo shot by Uncle Emmett, who is not my uncle, but the uncle of a friend. That makes him my Fruncle.

The artist Robert Genn has many made-up words like that in his blog, The Painter's Keys, today. They are all about art and they are very funny. I was inspired to make up a few of my own:

Liarkinding: Complimenting an artist on a painting you hate because you don't want to hurt their feelings.

Clownvisagia: Going out in public unaware you have paint on your face.

Saddergaller: Depression because you didn't sell well at your show.

And my favorites of Robert's: 

Snooler: A person who gushes over your work but who you suspect privately thinks he can do better but actually can't. 

Superalphabetted: A person whose name is followed by a lot of letters. 

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Pool Bird, 10x10 Oil on Stretched Canvas

This bird looks like he's standing his ground, no matter what comes along. He's actually doing what all birds of his sort do, looking for fish. This is gallery wrap canvas, and all sides are painted.

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Spoonbill Ballet, 10x10 Collage on Canvas

This is another Spoonbill by request. I love doing these things, but they do make my brain tired. First, I draw it; then I scout the magazines for the colors, shapes and values I need; then I have to picture whether each piece will create the proper illusion. Then I make a huge mess and get glue all over my hands. I have dispensed with the waste of time and effort caused by trying to use a brush. Fingers work quite well and are much more easily cleaned.

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Cindy's Cardinal, 4x4 Collage on Stretched Canvas

This is my last little bird collage. It's way too much work for such a tiny piece of art. It was fun, but takes more patience than I actually have. To be a woman of a certain age, I am remarkably impatient. When does that mellowing stuff set in?

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Green Parakeet, 4x4 Collage

This little birdie is actually named "Birdie," and loves the guitar. These tiny collages are just as hard to do as big ones, so I think I will stick to bigger ones soon. However, there is a tiny cardinal coming up...

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Gull on Gold, 5x7 Oil on Canvas Board

One of my sea birds on gold gesso. I love the feel of the metallic background, but it takes some caution when painting oil paint over it. I just think it suggests the hot sunshine of a Florida day.

BID

Fowl Play Collage, 8x8

I liked this guy so much I did him as a collage as well as an oil painting. This is an 8x8 collage on gallery-wrapped canvas, all sides completed so it may be hung unframed.

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Fowl Play, 8x8 Oil on Canvas

I was painting the little corncrib at the farm at Oconluftee Visitors Center in the Smoky Mountains, and this fellow strolled by to watch. He's much more interesting than the corncrib.

This is painted on gallery-wrapped canvas, so no frame is needed.

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Nonchalance, 5x7

The beach was crowded with people, but this bird just strolled about in an unconcerned manner. I painted him on metallic gold.

BUY

Spoonbill Resting, 5x7

Yet another Spoonbill in the Everglades. This was a study for a large painting. He looks a bit depressed, but who wouldn't, with a big spoon for a mouth?

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The Scurrier, 5x7

 

This afternoon my husband and I were driving on the causeway over the Banana River and before us was a beautiful rainbow, a complete arc, and from the bridge we could see both ends glowing where it touched the water. What a sight! Of course, I had no camera with me. It would never work to paint something like that because it would look very hokey and unreal, like something to go on a commemorative plate. That's the way it is around here. Sometimes you just can't believe your eyes.
 

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Reflections on Breakfast, 5x7

I really like the liquid reflection of the bird. The sand was wet, the water receding just as he was about to snag a tidbit for breakfast. I'm so lucky to live here. Convenient beauty is right across the street.

SOLD