These birds ive been working on caught the attention of a client and I was commissioned to paint another blue bird. He will be flying off to NYC later this week!
My second crow!
Pen and ink and a little watercolor.
North American Crow
There are two crows who live behind the visitor center of Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site that I see every Sunday while I volunteer. Here's one of them.
Common Starling
I just cant stop painting these birds! This one is a Common Starling.
Bugs!
Last month a previous client saw my daily drawing of a honey bee and commissioned me to draw him a slightly larger honey bee and black carpenter ant. I really like how they turned out!
Another Eastern Bluebird!
My grandmother collected Eastern Bluebird figurines, I do not think it's a coincidence that I have painted more of these than any other species.
American Robin
If I think about what birds I see most often, it is a tie between the American Robin and the European Starling. I guess next up is the Starling! I had a good time drawing the feathers on this Robin while watching the new Queer Eye on Netflix.
Eastern Bluebird
My vision for my project is to draw/paint bird species I come in contact with on my daily life. Not bird watching birds, just the birds that live near my home and work, etc. The Eastern Bluebird is the Missouri state bird but more common on the western side of Missouri, so seeing them in St. Louis is always a treat.
Blue Jay #1
Lately I have been tying to pay closer attention to the species of birds I see on a regular basis. I often seen two blue jays hanging out on the cedar trees in the employee parking lot at work in the mornings. It's always such a treat. These old friends deserved to be commemorated with their own portraits. I really wanted to show their personalities, as they are always super playful and active.
George
George was named after his owner's favorite Beatle and is a very cute boy.
Rock Pile!
I loved the Joshua Trees but even more I loved the gigantic rock piles. Had to start this one on site and finish 'er up in my friend's kitchen in Los Angeles. Never ideal but better than nothing! I can only fit three more drawings in my panorama sketchbook, I wonder where they will be!
Cairo
There are two circumstances which make painting pets tricky. Cairo here had both of them. She is no longer with us, which limits the availability of reference photos. Also, my client was giving this portrait as a gift, so couldn't ask her owner for better pictures. After some sleuthing I was able to find another Abyssinian cat in this pose and painted Cairo's face. I think she turned out great!
Joshua Tree!
My 35th National Park was Joshua Tree! I loved loved loved the landscape. Wish I could have made 100 more drawings when I was there, but too many good hikes!
Daily mastodon
I was in Los Angeles last weekend and sketched this Mastodon momma at La Brea Tar Pits! Spent about 5 min on her. I love drawing skeletons, so many interesting parts!
Drawings Drawing Drawings
Whops, that was really 1/1/18 but clearly I am bad at writing 2018.
More daily drawings!
Daily drawings
My New Years Resolution for 2018 is to draw every day, even if its just a 5 minute sketch. I've tried this resolution before and it hasn't stuck. Hopefully 2018 is my year! Here's a few I have gotten a head start on.
South City
South City is full of great brick homes. I finished this commission a few weeks ago, the dog on the porch was a special request. :-)
Chicco
I had a last minute request to paint this horse for a Christmas gift. Luckily I have been painting horses since age 6 so it was no problem to get him finished in time. His name is Chicco and I would like to snuggle his nose!
Solar Eclipse!
I'll never forget watching the solar eclipse on August 21, 2017 in front of a lovely huge glacial lake. I did this quick sketch leaning up against a log and watching it progress.
Dont worry I had eclipse glasses, I just had to take them on and off so I could draw the landscape!
See! Glasses! And I printed this tank top, which reads "Solar Eclipse of the Heart". No big deal.