LAUGHING GULL STUDY

 

A few weeks ago there was a strong passage of adult Laughing Gulls through the area. Some of them were attracted to the nearby wetlands where I have been spending quite a bit of time gathering reference and observing the wildlife found there.  Amongst other studies, I managed to do this painting while one bird rested briefly before continuing on its journey. I have also been writing a weekly report on the things I see there which is now up to almost 14,000 words! Some days there is a lot to write about, others not so much and the place seems almost empty - especially during the hot summer months. It is always a rewarding experience visiting there though and I'm sure that later in the year, it will be a lot more exciting as migration starts up in earnest. Size of this one is 12 x 9 in (30 x 23 cm), watercolor on Grumbacher paper.

COUNTRY FARM

 

This farm was quite close to where we used to live so I often went there to paint. Over the years, I must have done a lot of paintings of the buildings, the silos and the landscape all around the farm. This one was completed from a study done when sitting in my car one cold winter morning. Here, after snow had fallen, the slightly warmer temperatures aided by the sun has caused it to begin to melt allowing winter grasses to show through. The scene is back-lit which often brings about an interesting composition challenge. It was worth the struggle I went through to complete it though as I learned a lot during that time. I painted this one so long ago that I can't quite remember the size, I think it was done in oil on an 18 x 24 inch canvas (46 x 61 cm). The slide that this picture was scanned from is the only pictorial record I have of it and is not of a great quality but it will have to do.

HARRIER AT BLACKWATER

 

I have written in the past about my many visits to Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge near the eastern shore of Maryland and here is another painting from the area. I have probably completed more paintings of Blackwater than any other area I have been, difficult to describe in words but there is something about the place that really speaks to me as an artist. A view looking across the water gets me everytime, and this somewhat simplistic composition is one I return to time and time again. In this small watercolor, a female Norther Harrier flies over the marsh looking for prey, a scene I have witnessed many times. Size is 11 x 7.5 in (28 x 19 cm).

RED EAR

 

I sat at the waters edge and watched a terrapin slowly rise up from the bottom of a deep clear pond. It's head broke the surface and there it floated long enough for me to do a few sketches in my sketchbook. Later I did this watercolor. Since the water was so clear and the subject in bright sun, I could easily see all the details of the shell and feet which I made note of along with a few color descriptions. This was a fun painting to do - I don't usually say that as most of them are a real struggle especially if I don't have a clear idea in my head. I have found if I can first visualize the whole painting then I have a much better chance of creating something that I am happy with. Size is 15 x 11 in (38 x 28 cm).

ALONG THE ALGARVE VIII

 

I think with this painting, I came a little closer to what it is I wanted to say about the coastal rocks along the Algarve in Portugal. I spent a lot of time there wandering the beaches and coastline looking, sketching and trying to hold in my mind the character and atmosphere of the place. That it was beautiful was obvious but I tried to look beyond all that to some of the patterns and rhythms I could see. The rocks were staged naturally in this scene so I didn't have to do any creative editing that I sometimes do. The water was a lot calmer on that day too so there is only a little surf which seems to work better with this smaller collection of rocks. Size is 10 x 8 in (26 x 20 cm), oil on board.

THE WANDERER - YOUNG PEREGRINE FALCON

 

In this painting, my initial idea was to portray a young bird recently out of the nest and ready to begin life on its own. Not all first year birds will make it and this bird was based on such a bird that was found unable to fly properly. After rehab, it was then released back into the wild. Here the bird is looking out over a vast territory signifying the distance it has to go so I kept the background somewhat misty with just a hint of morning clouds higher up. I deliberately posed the bird facing slightly away so as to get a feel that it could take flight at any time. Size is 24 x 18 in (61 x 46 cm), oil on canvas.

BLUE ROCK THRUSH

 

One thing I always looked forward to when living in Hong Kong were the winter months. Not so much for the obvious reason that the weather would be cooler, but for the chance to see migrant birds with the possibility of rarities turning up. With many winter visitors, one bird that was always a welcome sight was the Blue Rock Thrush which was often seen while hiking around and exploring - especially along the shore of the out-lying islands. The bird shown here is the red-bellied race philippensis and was a favorite winter bird for me. Apparently a few pairs do stay to breed in Hong Kong and I have many fond memories trying to draw and paint these birds while out in the field. Size is 10 x 6 in (25 x 15 cm), watercolor on paper.