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.