Sunday, January 25, 2015

Every time I revisit this watercolor of a bohemian waxwing, I see the live bird in my mind. It was winter and I was skiing and landed about five feet from the perched, breathing waxwing and my reaction was to reach over and stroke its back. The feathers and colors were so stunningly smooth. Painting the bird in my studio was easy but then it wasn't the real thing! After revisiting this painting for fifteen years, I realize it is real! It is my experience and I can see that experience with this image. Don't forget to paint!

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

What makes a landscape painting no a portrait painting? Context! How is that painted?
A portrait calls for one object/person/bird to be more important than the other objects. Biophilia claims all animals are important! How can one have a "center of interest" if one object does not stand out?
Space is the answer! The space between is the cohesion ecologist's talk about and landscape painters present. Simply put a branch in front of the bird and it makes it a landscape. Try it!