Blue Squirrel

"Blue Squirrel," Acrylic on Panel, 5x7"

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And the end the week of birds, here's a blue squirrel. Why not?

Duck Strut

"Duck Strut." Acrylic on Panel, 7x5"

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Here's another duck.  No subtext.  Nothing profound.  Just a duck.  Or is it a goose?

Duck Fauxhawk

"Duck Fauxhawk," Acrylic on Panel, 5x7"

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I'm moving on the waterfowl today.  I painted three today (duck, duck, goose), but this is my favorite.

Walk

"Walk," Acrylic on Board, 24x18"

I've done so many paintings of my daughter, that it seems fair that my son should get some attention.  I like it when the trees cast dramatic shadows -- painting them is almost as interesting as painting the trees themselves.

Rose & Sunflower

"Rose & Sunflower," glass mosaic, 7x5"

I like playing around with other mediums and like to pretend that it's good for my overall creative development.  Who knows, maybe it is?  I like how this one turned out.  The only downside I've found in doing mosaic work is that even when I'm being careful, I end up with little cuts on my fingers.  Plus my studio floor has become hazardous due to tiny shards of glass...  Maybe I should get back to painting?

Grackle on Fence

"Grackle on Fence," Acrylic on Panel 7x5"

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Continuing the grackle theme...

Grackle in Sun

"Grackle in Sun," Acrylic on Panel, 7x5"

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Here's another grackle for yet another sunny, allergy-blighted Austin day.  Doesn't he (she?) look like he wants to take a bite of you?

(Later Today)  It occurred to me that this renewed interest in birds might be related to the titular goldfinch painting in the recent Donna Tartt book.  The book was amazing and I loved how the painting tied in the story elements.  As an artist, it felt strange to read about a work of art having so much power (both monetary and emotional).  I know that when people respond to my work, it is seldom due to anything that I consciously put in the painting.  I wonder what Fabritius would have thought about the book?

Grackle at Starbucks

"Grackle at Starbucks," Acrylic on Panel, 5x7"

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Does anyone else think that grackles are sinister?  Whenever I see one (which is almost daily) I can't help but think that its beak looks like it could do a lot of damage.  Plus, they don't seem to be afraid of people.

Cactus Peacock

"Cactus Peacock," Acrylic on Panel, 9x12"

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I go to Mayfield Park to photograph the trees down by the creek, but I can't stop myself from taking some pics of the peacocks -- they're just so darn colorful.   I love how the light turned out in this one. I'm thinking about trying a theme again next month (despite my utter failure to follow through this month...).  If so, February may be all about local birds.

Suspicious Teapot

"Suspicious Teapot." Acrylic on Panel, 5x7"

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I'm compelled to purchase interesting figurines whenever I find them.  This one is from a fellow artist at the Austin Art Garage, Don Madden.  I purchased the little guy (the sculpture, not the artist) a few years ago and he lives on a shelf in my kitchen.  Yesterday, I caught him eyeing my mini teapot.

Spiral Glasses

"Spiral Glasses," Acrylic on Panel, 7x5"

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I got back out to the studio -- yay me.

Back in high school there was an assignment in art class in which we had to draw a photo-realistic picture of a reflective object.  One of my friends did a perfect rendering of a cut-glass bowl.  I don't remember what I tried, but I do remember that I found the exercise tedious.  As an adult artist, I find it fun to paint reflective surfaces, but I don't force myself to be too realistic.

Fountain

"Fountain," Acrylic on Board, 40x30"

I'm losing track of the days this week, so I don't recall if I posted a daily for yesterday.  In any case, I'm pretty sure that I won't be posting one today, because I just finished this big one and I need a rest before heading back to the studio.  Then again, maybe not...the day's not over. :)

I'm pleased with how this one came out.  I love the implied movement of the trees spraying out from the center and I'm happy with the color choices.  You can almost hear the wind in the branches and see the light moving across the ground.

Little Red House

"Little Red House," Acrylic on Panel, 7x5"

Here's another little house to start the week.  I need to find a new theme.  I thought I'd get back to the pattern idea today, but none of the reference I've collected inspires me to paint.  Maybe tomorrow...

Ole´

"Ole´" Acrylic on Panel, 12x9"

One of the things I'm doing as part of my monthly newsletter is a monthly self-portrait.   It's a way for potential collectors to get to know me and has the added benefit of not requiring me to write about myself.  I'll be curious to look at them all at the end of the year.

I think this one for February is funny.  My mother would be pleased to see me showcasing my teeth,  courtesy of many years of expensive orthodonture.

Winter Sunset

"Winter Sunset," Acrylic on Panel, 7x5

Despite finishing a big painting today, I also managed to do my daily!  I think the sunsets in Austin are even nicer in the winter.

Run

"Run," Acrylic on Board, 18x24"

My daughter keeps sneaking into my landscape images.

Winter Trees

"Winter Trees," Acrylic on Panel, 7x5"

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I like painting foliage, but I find something beautiful about the bare trees too.  The branches are so expressive.  I don't remember the trees in the Midwest having quite as much personality as those I see in Texas.

Clinging to Autumn

"Clinging to Autumn," Acrylic on Panel, 5x7"

So much for new years resolutions...  I lasted for exactly two days of 'themed' daily paintings.  I may go back to the patterned object idea someday, but I didn't find the subject as easy to stage or as compelling to paint as I expected.  So here is another quirky little house...and a tree, of course. :)

Heart Tree

"Heart Tree," Acrylic on Board, 24x18"

I had intended to get back to my daily paintings today, but after far too long away from the studio due to the holidays, I felt compelled to tackle a bigger piece.  I guess this is technically a 'daily' painting, since I did it in one day, but it's a bit more ambitious than the norm.

"Heart Tree" is not a Game of Thrones reference (though I'm fully geek enough to use that reference).  The title refers to the shadow heart that I spotted while reviewing my photos.   I emphasized the shape a bit via color, but it was there in real life.   Can you spot it?

Peacock on Wall

"Peacock on Wall," Mosaic, 7x5"

I'm still playing around with mosaics alongside the paintings, so I thought I'd post the most recent.  I used a wider variety of tile sizes, which I like.   It works better with the lighter grout, but I'm still not satisfied.  I'm going to try to use bigger, higher-contrast glass pieces in the next one.

Zoo Patterns

"Zoo Patterns" Acrylic on Panel, 5x7"

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This random collection of animal-patterned knick-knack was on display in the soda fountain where we had lunch yesterday.   It looked very odd alongside the lingering christmas decorations.

Leaves

"Leaves" Acrylic on Board, 24x18"

I find figures creeping into my landscapes more and more.  This one is my daughter, and believe it or not, the colors reflect the reality of the scene.  I was struck by how the leaves were the same hot pink as her jacket.

Cup and Pot Patterns

"Cup and Pot Patterns," Acrylic on Panel, 5x7"

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Happy New Year!  The kids aren't back in school yet, but I managed to squeeze in a little studio time today.  In addition to being better about promoting my work (sign up for my newsletter!), I'm going to start having a daily painting theme each month. This January is all about pattern -- in particular, the patterns on everyday object.