Progressive With My New Painting

Below are three photos of my progress of the painting "Egret In The Marsh At Assateague, Virginia"
The bottom photo to the right is the beginning of the painting. As you can see I have a long way to go.

It took many different coats of acrylic paint to get the background just right. Then I used gorilla glue, and modeling paste to build up the egret and some of the grasses. I painted the water. Using sand, I then built up the land pieces. After I sanded down the egret and the grasses, I started painting the grasses and the egret. When the painting was finished, I signed the painting and put two coats of varnish to preserve the painting.

Then I took a photo of the painting this morning without the frame. That is the top photo on the right.

The photo to the left is the painting with its frame.

The painting was done on canvas with acrylic paints, sand, gorilla glue, and modeling paste. It took quite awhile to do, but I certainly enjoyed producing this painting.

Signs Of Spring In My Yard In 2011

A few pictures of the signs of Spring, 2011 in my yard.  I am especially proud that I was able to get a photo of the bumble bee flying and how I was able to capture the wings.  I certainly do love my Canon Rebel SLR OES camera. I have never been this excited over a camera before.

Our Excursion To Assateague To Try Out My New Camera

The Oyster Catchers were quite a distance away, but the new 55-250mm lens for my Canon Rebel DSLR camera did a wonderful job capturing the birds in flight. I like taking these sort of photos. Since I am an artist, I feel birds in flight make a better painting.

I get very excited when I can take so many photos of the birds flying.  I do like them to pose at times, but most of the time I love the birds in flight.

                                                      

Landing



The movement in the flight is just so awesome to see. It was a little on the cold side, and the wind was blowing harder than we would have liked, but I wouldn't miss getting the photos for the world.  









Little One Enjoying the Atlantic Ocean And The Flying Ringbilled Sea Gull

The little child is having a hard time standing with the wind blowing so hard. I saw this and knew right away that I was going to try and paint this scene. These photos only happen once in a while. Isn't she cute?

Here is one of the birds  known on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.  I love the White Egrets.  They have long legs so they can scratch the bottom of the bay to stir up the blue crabs. The "Watermen" are not happy to see these wonderful birds because of their appetite for the blue crabs.




White Egret Hiding In The Tall Grass

  

Of course, I had to show you the White Egret in Flight. Isn't it so majestic?



White Egret In Flight

The Great Blue is another well known bird of the Eastern Shore of Virginia.  He never moved, so I never did get a shot of him in flight.

The Great Blue or Blue Heron




















Last but not least, is a baby turtle sunning itself. (Diamondback Terrapin)


Baby Turtle Sunning Itself On The Drift Wood. Mommy and Daddy Are Close By..

After our excursion, Hubby and went to lunch at one of our favorite Restaurant's. Then Hubby had to go to work. He works part time at WalMart.  Hubby will be 70 years old April 18th and I will be 70 years old August 2nd of this year. We definitely recommend retirement for everyone.  See you soon.  I hope you enjoyed seeing some of  our excursion.

O-o-o-ps. Posted the unfinished version Ice Fishing

Here is the finished version. Granddaughter ice fishing for ice. She told her friend she was going to catch ice. She actually asked her dad how long did it take to catch ice. The true innocence of a child.

Granddaughter and 2 Great-Granddaughters portraits done this past Christmas

4 Years Old When Taken - "Dad. . . . How Long Does It Take To Catch Ice?"





Great-Granddaughter when she was 4 years old.  "Blowing At Dandelion"

  




Great-Granddaughter - 3 years old. "I'm Listening To Every Word You Are Saying"

   The Granddaughter is now 6 years old. She is quite a character.  When she was able to have actual carry on a  conversation with someone; she learned to have an answer for every thing. I am quite elderly and last year when we went to New York to visit her, she asked me if I had a bathing suit and I told her no.  She then proceeded to tell me she would have to buy me one.  The next question was "How old are you?" I told her I was 69. "Well", she said, "I guess we better get you a size 70. But the only thing is, I don't think we can get a bathing suite big enough to fit your stomach."  My daughter was horrified, but I couldn't stop laughing. Kids at that age are quite savvy.

The second picture is our Great-granddaughter and she is now 5 years old. She isn't too thrilled with I Kindergarten as "The teacher is too bossy".  She loves her PePa and follows him all around when she comes to visit us. PePa loves every moment of it. Also, she is on the quiet side, but a very loving and lovely child. She's our serious one. Not at all like her younger sister.

The third picture is the younger sister who is three years old. Nothing seems to bother her and you can see the glint in her eye that just says "Dare me and I will do it".  She never is shy, is very outgoing and will make sure you pay attention to her. She is the type of child that keeps you laughing until you wish you could stop because your stomach hurts from the laughter.  You never know what to expect from her. I must say though; that she loves hugs and kisses.

"An Egret In Flight"

Until I finish another painting, I thought you might like to see one of my very first paintings that sold. I hope you enjoy it. As you can see I love doing birds in flight. I think they show more character and interest.  I love to watch ther birds in our yard. They are quite fun to watch.  Yesterday I happened to see two birds in our flat feeder throwing seeds at each other.  It was rather comical to watch. I guess even birds like to play at times.

"Life's Triangles" - Acrylic on 300# Arches Watercolor Paper



"Life's Triangles"






I just framed this painting late last night. As I said at an earlier time, I am getting ready for a show this coming Saturday. Grenville and Beatrice will be at the show also. Grenville with his wonderful wood turning designs and Beatrice with her photos set into matting and the backboard to be framed. 

I wish was able to take better photos of my paintings. They just do not look that good in a photo. That is why you do not see the matting and the frame. Hope you like what you see.  Wish me luck for Saturday for my sales.