A New Bird for the Nest

I just finished a small piece, Wren in Rome…. It is on my favorite paper – Art Spectrum Colourfix Suede paper and I used the entire line of Caran d’Ache pencils: Luminance, Pablo, Supracolor II and Museum Aquarelle. I absolutely love their pencils and have confidence in their quality and lightfastness for fine art works.  I took the reference photo of this little wren early in the morning. The effect of the light on the shrubs in the background was stunning and provided a dramatic backdrop to the little bird. I also loved how the warm light washed over the bird from the back and provided a contrast against the cool hues of the chair he was perched on. The chairs are actually a faded black metal, that when washed with light, appeared blue grey.  This is my first piece as a Signature Member of CPSA, however I didn’t sign the piece as such.

We just returned from San Francisco, where we enjoyed seeing a great deal of art. That is always so energizing to me, but it also makes me realize just how much I need to grow as an artist. I don’t consider myself a truly creative person. I’m able to create art on the page, but I don’t think creatively enough and that is always a struggle for me. So that is my next challenge…to try to connect more with my creative side so that I can produce art that is dynamic and captivating. So in the mean time, here’s the little wren…

Wren in Rome…

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Morning Preyer Accepted at CPSA International

I’m so pleased to announce that Morning Preyer has been accepted into the CPSA 21st International Exhibition this summer in Brea.  It was one of 127 entries accepted of over 600 entered.  While I’m excited for this piece to be accepted, I’m disappointed that Reflections on Cool Jazz was not.  I can still enter it again next year, and plan to do so.  This is the second time my work has been accepted in the international show and if I’m accepted a third time, I will receive signature status in CPSA.  The show this year is in Brea California the last week of July.  I’ll be attending the show and look forward to seeing the exhibition in person.

Under the Wire

Just five days before the deadline, I’ve managed to enter two pieces into the Colored Pencil Society of America international exhibition.  The first piece, Reflections on Cool Jazz was completed in late 2012. You can see a photo of it on my Gallery page.  Morning Preyer was just finished yesterday after a big push to get the piece done in time for the March 31st deadline.

Morning Preyer
12″ x 12″
Colored Pencil on Colorfix Suede paper

 

 

I would not consider where I live “out in the country,” however, we’re fortunate to have lots of indigenous oak trees which provide great habitats to all sorts of species of birds.  Morning Preyer  is a Cooper’s hawk who nests each year in either our trees or our neighbor’s trees.  This one was perched on our fence and seemed to have no problem with me and my camera as I clicked away.  I loved the way the sun hit the leaves in the far background and chose to illustrate the background just as the camera saw it.  This year, the hawks are not in our yard, but our yard is still part of their hunting ground.  This one was intent on catching something to eat as he patiently waited on the fence.  Our yard is home this year to a family of screech owls, who keep watch by day and hunt at night.  Hopefully, they will provide some opportunities for photos as the owlets grow and leave the nest.

Reflections on Cool Jazz, unfortunately, was not juried into the Hunting Art Prize exhibition this spring.  Because it was not juried in, however, is the reason I was able to enter it into the CPSA international exhibition.  I’ll keep you posted on how these two do in the judging in April. One never knows…

Thanks to many of you who have “liked” my Facebook page.  Many of you are fellow artists and it’s been a great way to get connected with you.  The Facebook link is on the right  column of this page…stop by and say “hi” if you like.