Thursday, July 1, 2010

Remember that bird painting challenge I'm working on?

...apparently I forgot about it, but I'm back on track with paintbrush in hand. It seems lately I've done everything but paint birds. We were on vacation on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina for two weeks, and that was wonderful. I visited Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge a lot and have tons of photos. The rookery was a lot different this year compared to last year, and I saw a few new birds there this year too. My poor Cincinnati birds are going to feel left out because I'll probably go straight from posting Florida birds to South Carolina birds...

Before I get to the photos, here are my catching-up-to-the-challenge paintings. They are very fast sketches, and I think I had better get used to painting fast if I want to have any hope of making 100 in a year. I should be a bit beyond 50 now, but I'm only at 37!

Painting 37 - Eastern Towhee

Painting 36 - Eastern Towhee in Orange
This one was fun. I just wanted to create a flat form
with color. I normally pay attention to detail, but I wanted
to leave that style behind for a while...

Painting 35 - Willet in the Gulf

Painting 34 - Eastern Kingbird in the High Meadow
(From the High Meadow at Voice of America Park)

Painting 33 - Prothonotary Warbler painting study
This was a five-minute value study for an earlier painting. After I figured out how to work out the real painting, I tossed this on the floor and forgot about it. A couple of days later I saw it on the floor and picked it up and scribbled over the top of it with pastels and charcoal, really grinding the pigment into the paper. Then I stuck it under the faucet and doused it with water, washing a lot of the pigment off and soaking the paper completely--I have no idea why. It ended with an old-fashioned fabric feel that I liked, so I decided to use it in the challenge.

22 comments:

Gaina said...

Isn't it a drag when life gets in the way of playing with our paints!? Haha.

That looser style is wonderful, it really works for you :). I particularly like the first painting of the Eastern Towhee.

Janice K said...

I can't even begin to imagine being able to paint like that. It's so neat to see what you have done.

Anxious to hear/see your trip, too!

Sue said...

I agree with Gaina-I really like the "loose" style. Very nice (as always!)

Carol Mattingly said...

You're gonna have to teach me how to paint like this. I love these. Carol

Steve Willson said...

These are some lovely paintings. I especially like the effect you got with number 33. It reminds me of something I would have seen in my grandmother's kitchen. She only displayed the best.

Chris said...

This is a very impressive work Kelly. I'd love to be able to do that.... I really love 34 and 35, but all of them are superb!!! Congrats and thanks for sharing.

Jayne said...

They are all lovely Kelly!

Out on the prairie said...

Like the willet very well.I just got back from a week out on the prairie. Got a nice kingbird shot, like their acrobatics.Have missed your art work, but enjoy your photos, that is my main canvas.Counted 21 bird species in4 days.

Kathy A. Johnson said...

Beautiful paintings, Kelly. I especially like the willet.

grammie g said...

Wonderful paintings...nice to see you post some of your paintings again!!! i think I have a Eastern Towee..but it moves so fast that I can not get a good look!!!

Hilke Breder said...

Lovely paintings! You got such a good eye, making the birds come alive on paper. Just curious, what do you do with your paintings? Exhibit in art shows? Giving it away to friends? Saving it up for a book?

Mary said...

More wonderful paintings!

Warren Baker said...

Now if I tried your last method of producing a portrait, it would look like a dirty floor! :-)

Jenny said...

I'm kind of glad that you're having to work fast on your paintings Kelly, cos I like that loose style very much! I remember your last visit to Pinchney, can't wait for this years bunch of posts! (-:

FAB said...

I've heard of speed dating but speed painting!!...excellent work Kelly. Just 13 or so to catch up...I'm sure you'll knock those off in no time at all.
I'd be very happy to hang the Willet on thge wall here.
Like Jenny..can't wait to see what turned up at your favourite Island.
Cheers FAB.

Elaine said...

Oh, dear, now you're playing catch-up big time. I do think creativity comes in spurts, so I don't think you'll have a problem. I especially like the painting of the Willet.

I'm looking forward to Pinckney. I don't know how you'll be able to beat what you got last year though.

Susan Ellis said...

Hi Kelly -especially like the Towhee and the Prothonary, and the Willet and the..well , you get the picture!They're all great....I haven't painted for a while, and this post is making want to godig out the brushes!

Elizabeth said...

Wonderful experiments! What a great range of talent you have.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Kelly, don't know how I missed this post--but I did.... Love your paintings---ALL of them...

You have been a busy gal recently, haven't you????

Hope you all have a fabulous 4th.
Hugs,
Betsy

Anonymous said...

I am glad you are back on track Kelly, these are just brilliant.

Deb said...

Beautiful paintings Kelly~

K said...

I think you are doing just great on your paintings, Kelly! Don't worry about the numbers... you'll get there when you get there! I had to impose that very same rule upon myself because I was so obsessed with churning out two paintings a week that they looked too hurried, I wasn't enjoying it, and I wasn't learning anything. Since I made it a journey to learn along the way, I took off the 100 paintings "in one year" title and now just call it a 100 paintings project.

Hope all is well, been thinking of you lately!