BARN OWL

 

The other day, I came across images of this Barn Owl painting that I did quite some years ago now. For some reason I had almost forgot about it although seeing the painting again, I do remember working on it and the struggles I had, but I don't think that I have posted any pictures of this one. This is a slightly more cropped view, I think the actual painting shows more of the textured whitewash wall surrounding the old window. I do remember being happy that I had captured the owl in the way that I wanted to and that the painting brought back memories of my youth looking for owls not only on my grandfathers' farm but also any other barns that I came across. One evening my brothers and I attempted to stay a night in an old barn but the eerie screetch of a Barn Owl calling close by in the pitch dark sent up quickly scurrying back home! This acrylic on canvas is about 20 x 16 inches.

FRENCH BAKERY

 

Living on the edge of the harbor as we did, one of our morning rituals was going out in the morning for coffee. We would walk over to the downtown district and often frequent this French bakery, not just for coffee but also for their delicious baked goods. Here the early morning light cast a deep shadow over the facade so that the interior was dark and mysterious. Would they still have some of our favorite desserts? Size of this painting is 10 x 8 inches, oil on canvas.

ICELANDIC WATERFALL

 

Iceland has many waterfalls, some extremely impressive. This is one is less so but still, I enjoyed watching the heavy stream of water flowing around and over the submerged rocks creating a foamy pool just below me. Started from a quick sketch I did on site, later when I got back to my room, I would paint from these sketches perhaps also using some video that I took. When I got back home to the studio, I was able to go through the series of paintings I did there touching up as necessary but without doing too much to change each one. This painting is in oil and done on canvas - size is 8 x 10 inches.

FLOODED PATH

 

Early morning mist was beginning to clear by the time I reached this place that leads to a hidden lake. I wanted to explore there but heavy rains had flooded the path. I was standing on a rough piece of ground next area to the railway tracks painting - the reserve is off to my left, and I tried to capture the thinning mist and atmosphere of that morning. I painted as quickly as I could before the scene changed too much adding to the painting a little when I returned to the studio. It was a memorable morning and I'm glad I made the effort to go out painting. Size is 10 x 8 inches, oil on board.

EAGLE SCULPTURE

 

 

I saw this sculpture outside a wildlife rehab center when we were travelling in Ireland. Not having much time for myself (so what else is new!) I did a quick sketch before we left and later, did this painting using my sketch as a base and also referring to some video I had shot. Often when travelling, I am able to paint in the evening when we have returned to wherever we are staying, especially when I have a particular image in mind. I did this one purely for myself trying to capture this unique sculpture. I'm sure that when I am settled I will create something like this myself for my own collection. Size is 10 x 8 inches, oil on board.