Anita's Hat

"Anita's Hat"
12" x 16"
Pastel on canvas panel
I painted with friends today. We each brought something to add to the still life. The bird was mine. I hadn't painted with pastels in a couple of months, so this was a freeing and exciting day for me. I didn't even think about whether or not it would be difficult. I just jumped in with both feet — like I live my life. 

I'm going to a pastel workshop in a week to learn to make my own pastels. I'll be with my new friends in the Chicago Pastel Painters group. We met for the first time and they put me on a committee already.  "…both feet," as I said above.

Carol

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Lalique Blue Jay

"Lalique Blue Jay"
7" x 5"
Pastel on hardboard



















The jay postured as if it were intent on gathering vital information, or watching fledgelings about to drop into the sky for the first time. Nevertheless, the artist who fashioned the figure of this glass bird captured an interesting stance. 

I painted this bird with its bulbous friend last January. Both glass birds were borrowed, but fortunately I took photos before returning them.  As I said in this space a month or so ago, I'm trying to paint in pastel some of the subjects I've painted in oil.

Carol

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Wh- Wh- Who's Five?

"Wh- Wh- Who's Five?"
6" x 6"
Oil on wrapped canvas
My grandson, who is a big fan of the great horned owl, turns five this week.  I painted this for him.  It's on an inch and a half thick wrapped canvas, so it can sit on a shelf, or dresser, or be hung with the other things I've painted for him over the years. Happy Birthday, dear one. 

I saw whimsical owl paintings in Colorado last week and got the idea to paint one.  The whimsy here is the suggestion of a moon. It's there if you want it to be.

Carol

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Chanticleer III

"Chanticleer III
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard
I enjoyed painting this rooster's portrait. He's in nearly the same pose as the one from last night, but he wears different coloured plumage, beak and ear.  I think it's an ear. It's where I'd put an ear if I were designing a rooster. I'm fond of ears. Maybe I'll paint ears for my next series.  

I painted the background on yesterday's rooster first, then the bird. Today's bird was painted first, on a toned background, then I brushed in the background colour around the bird. Either way works. 

Carol


Chanticleer II

"Chanticleer II"
6" x 6"
Oil on hardboard 
Portraits of people are not my strong suit, but I happen to enjoy painting roosters now. Here's one a friend sent, and another will follow.  In the process, I'm feeling a lot better about my own face in the mirror.  Yikes! To look at this every day would take some getting used to. 

Carol

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From Whence...

"From Whence..."
6" x 6"
Oil on canvas panel

Where did I come from?  Well, darling, I found you in Colorado.  I wanted a red one, but red was not to be had.  Blue suits me fine enough.  But if you want the truth, I guess I'd have to say you were made in China. You're resin.  Painted.  The shell is real, though.  Organic.  Wisconsin.  

Here's another in my series on gray, textured backgrounds.  I make them up weeks in advance so I don't have to think about what color to put behind each object. It's neutral and whimsical. 

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Thank you for coming by today. 

Carol

Egg Cup

"Egg Cup"
8" x 8"
Oil on canvas panel 
My daughter buys eggs that look like they might come from a leather bird.  She likes the way they taste, but when they are hard boiled, no matter how quickly they are dunked in cold water, these eggs are difficult to peel.  Leather, I say!

I'm painting more small paintings.  I like doing them quickly so they stay fresh.  I enjoy challenging myself to new subject matter, too.  And if it's a small piece that goes awry, it isn't as painful.

This painting will be listed with, and for purchase through a Dailypaintworks. com Auction.

Thank you for visiting today.
Carol