In Search of Mars

As the sun was setting, the wind was picking up and the clouds came rolling in, I truly did not think I would see the moon last night. This time of year in AZ it is not only hot but windy. Monsoon season does not always mean rain, it can often be sand or just winds. Last night it was wind, a very warm wind that pushed the clouds out, exposing the moon and Mars.

The reports on the news focus on the blood moon, the effect of light reflecting on the moon because of a total eclipse. Which could not be seen from N. America. But, the other part of that was Mars was very close to the earth and moon, so close it could be seen on a clear night with just your eye. Sure enough, I could see it, not near as big as some might think but no doubt that it was a planet. My photos don't really show much, but you could see color from Mars. There was reflections in the clouds with color, the moon kept getting brighter and brighter as the evening went on, just to show off a little.

So, here is my little attempt to capture the Moon and Mars.

The evening started with clouds

Close up with veil of clouds

Within a half hour the clouds had gone

View of blood moon and to lower right the planet Mars

Owls

This morning I was greeted by our neighborhood Great Horned Owl. I only had my cell phone with me so not a great photo but enough for a memory and maybe even a reference for future works. This reminded me that I told my students from the Art of the Bird class that I would post a few photos of the Barred Owl who was fluttering around a bit before settling on it's stand.

Here are a few reference photos that you may use if you would like. I played around with some in photoshop, removing some of the background, flipping one of the images and zooming in for details. When working from photo references or rescue birds it is important to use multiple photos and to look at birds in nature. You may have a great photo of the wings but the face is out of focus, find a photo of a face in focus that is the same position to create your painting. Be aware of light sources, direction of light and reflections in the birds eyes.
Rescue birds are there for a reason, they can not survive in the wild. They may have damage to a wing, eye, talons or neurological which may cause them to sit in a unnatural position. Observe nature, you are the artist, use photos as a reference and create the painting to be your own, in your style. I try to be true to the bird or animal even trees that I am using in my work. I study them to learn their names, and parts of the country/world that they live. I look forward to seeing what you create. Enjoy!

A Light Show

A very inspiring morning, a study of lights and dark's. This morning I woke to flashing lights. It was still dark outside so the lights were pretty bright. I brewed my coffee and went out to watch the show. There was flashing light in the distance, soon the thunder came, with a little wind and more light. The sun was rising somewhere behind the clouds creating lovely soft tones in the sky.

This was a wonderful example and a way to end art workshops that dealt with lights, whites, dark's, not blacks. If that seems a little confusing, next year you can come take one of my classes.

Here are a few photos from this morning performance. A little light, some dark's and lovely soft colors. This AZ landscape keeps temping me to do a painting. We shall see what I can come up with that is not a landscape.

Companions

It has been awhile since I have written a blog post. The last couple of weeks I have been teaching at Common Ground on the Hill. Had a great time, wonderful students that produced amazing work. While I was there blue jean canvases were given away for free. I took one to experiment on, my students ask if pastel would work on canvas. Why yes it will but needs to be sealed. I was not 100% sure about blue jean canvas so I gave it a try. There is a grain that makes it hard to draw fine lines with pastel pencils. Medium soft pastels work better then really soft pastels. It too needs to be sealed, it took several sprays but did not lose the whites too much.

The first image was a barn owl, after-all we were doing a bird class. Here is a picture, it is 16x20" blue jean canvas with sealed soft pastel. Title: & Seek

Since this bird was looking at something, needed to figure out what he might be looking at, with the help of my friend, Lori, a little inspiration came about. The second image is a bunny. Titled: Hide 

Both pieces are on display at Willow Oaks craft cider and wine, in the Art Spaces. They are open Saturdays and Sundays 11:00 - 5:00. The Art Spaces are many, going throughout the two stories of the three story building. They are located at 6219 Harley Rd., Middletown, MD 

A little side note: Save the date, October 20-21st, 2018, Marilu Tousignaut and I will be showing together again. The theme of the show is " Rooted In Memories". We will revisited some of the places we have traveled together and create new work. We will have demonstrations going on and there should be music, working on the details.