Thursday, December 30, 2010

Painting #99, Robin Berry

Painting 99, Robin Berry
Acrylic, 16x20 Canvas

Do you recognize this American Robin? She showed up in this post earlier in the month. Matty loves this one. He wants to take it with him when he leaves for college (he's 15 now...let's see if he feels that way when he's 18. A Robin eating a berry might not be cool enough for a college dorm room!) This is the first time I've put acrylic on a real canvas. I liked the feel of the canvas and working on the larger size.

...same painting cropped down. I like the crop...I could see myself buying notecards of something like this.

...the painting at an earlier stage. I took out all the fuzzy orange "out-of-focus-in-the-background" berries and in the process overworked the sky. I probably should have kept it at this stage. I had actually signed it and considered it finished (and I never sign my paintings...I always forget to. I'm working on that.).

...same painting at its earliest stage. I whipped it out in about 40 minutes and then headed off to bed. I almost like it more than the finished product. It's a completely different style...a little more graphic with no detail and a bolder red breast. Which do you like better?

...painting 100 is in the works! Yeah! It's a sweet little American Tree Sparrow (and is even larger at 18x24). I hope to finish it today or tomorrow.

I posted paintings 86 - 97 on the 100 Paintings Challenge site. I will try to add them in to this post later this evening.

31 comments:

holdingmoments said...

Lovely paintings Kelly.

Number 100, the Tree Sparrow, looks great to me as it is :)

Hilke Breder said...

I am not sure which one of the Robin paintings I like better, Kelly. I do however like the unfinished one - it's bolder and simpler - now if you just paint in some berries.... I love the Tree Sparrow painting - that too doesn't need much more. It's very striking the way it is - like a haiku.

forgetmenot said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
forgetmenot said...

Kelly, Can't tell if I like your photos or your paintings better--both are lovely. You have been blessed with such talent!!! Happy New Year!

Bob Bushell said...

They are extremely beautiful paitings.

Grizz………… said...

I prefer the finished robin…but would have to think about that tree sparrow. It looks mighty good "as is."

Congratulations on being practically done with your 100 paintings goal. That's quite an accomplishment—especially considering the quality and variety of styles in the work you've put out.

Way to go!

Dan Huber said...

wonderful work Kelly!

Warren Baker said...

Great work Kelly. That Tree Sparrow is just brilliant, you've captured it just perfectly. :-)

grammie g said...

Hi Kelly ..."fab girl"!!
I like the way it looks in the first...I'm no expert but it looks wonderful to me !!
I will be waiting to see #100..it looks like a good one so far!!

The Hairy Birder said...

Superb Kelly! And best wishes to you and yours for 2011!

Cheers,

Seumus

Out on the prairie said...

The suspense of getting that 100th done. I really have enjoyed all you have done.

Montanagirl said...

Kelly, they are all so good that it's hard to choose. I like them all!

Anonymous said...

Love this Kelly, its brilliant.

Marie said...

OMG Kelly you could almost leave the sparrow just as it is!! Perhaps a few more bits of grass and that could be it! I love the way it jumps out from the background.

As for the Robin, I like the finished bird better, I think, the in-between one not so much.

Congrats on your 100 paintings--and 300 followers!

JRandSue said...

Superb Art,great to have a gift,better when in use.
You certainly know how to use your gift,marvelous.
Happy New Year.
John.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Kelly, Your paintings are just fabulous... I hope you are going to put them into a book of some kind.... They need to stay in the family ---for future generations to see how talented you are.

Happy New Year.
Hugs,
Betsy

Dave said...

I love the Tree Sparrow!...just the way it is!

Susan Ellis said...

HOLY 100 PAINTINGS! You did it! and I for one, think they're all great!
Love the Robin - and the lessfuzzy berries, and know the Tree Sparrow will work out perfectly.
You've had a great creative year, and I'm happy you have chosen to share it via this blog. All the very best in 2011!

Laure Ferlita said...

Very cool! I think the finished one feels more...finished to me, but I see your point on the graphic feel.

Love the tree sparrow as well!

CONGRATS on finishing up! AWESOME job, girl!

MjB said...

Kelly, I think Matty knows that "chicks dig Robins." So of course he'll want to take that with him to college! ;) I'm looking forward to seeing the finished Tree Sparrow. Nice work. And you made it to 100.

Take care,
---Mike

Garden Lily said...

The unfinished version looks more like a robin, to me, but I like the overall effect of the finished version, how the colours of the feathers and the berries play off each other perfectly.

The Tree Sparrow is perfect already, but seems a bit too exposed. I think you should keep going to "hide" him more - that all he needs now.

Congratulations on reaching 100 paintings, and for finding so many different subjects, and experimenting with different styles. Your paintings are truly delightful. Do you have them displayed proudly in the house, or do you sell them? I hope you are able to enjoy them, and thanks so much for sharing them with us.

TonyC said...

Congrats Kelly!! well done on completing the challenge. Like you, I love the cropped version.
Happy New Year!!

Elaine said...

Hooray!!! No. 100 almost done and another day to work on it! I've very much enjoyed watching your progress on this challenge.

As for #99, I like the finished version of the robin best. #100 is looking good--not much needs to be done to it.

My verification word is "skidness" and is defined as the act of dashing madly to finish a project and doing so in the nick of time and then coming to a screeching halt in triumph. Used in a sentence, "Kelly's 100 painting challenge ended in glorious skidness!"

Sue said...

You're getting so close to your goal! I've so enjoyed watching your progress.....you have so much talent!
Your latest is wonderful just the way it is.....but , then again, maybe it will be better finished??? I don't know---I DO know it looks great now!

jyothisethu said...

wonderful painting...
i love both of these...

Jayne said...

You DID it! #100! Wow, I am impressed girl! I like the top one the best, but audibly gasped when I scrolled down to the Tree Sparrow. Wow. Can't wait to see THAT one finished. Happy New Year to you my friend!

Janice K said...

Good for you! You made it to 100! I've loved seeing all that you have shown us along the way.

I think I like the finished robin best. The original one is nice and sharp, but he needs something in his mouth.

Have a wonderful New Year!

Gaina said...

Beautiful! Happy New Year :D

Kelly said...

Thank you, everyone!!!
...I think I'm going to do 100 more paintings next year! It will keep me out of trouble....

RuthieJ said...

This is a fabulous painting Kelly! I've missed seeing your artwork and hope to become more faithful to my blogging in 2011!

Robin said...

I LOVE the robin with the berries!!!