Roseate Spoonbills On the Easel, A Work In Progress in Oils on 18x14

Spoonbills are on my easel this week.  The picture at right is where I left it before my studio got too cold to paint in last week.  During cold weather, which is not frequent on the south Texas coast, I do much needed paper work and catch up my website and blog.

We have had 7 seven roseate spoonbills staying in the LeTulle Park pond this winter and what a treate they have been for the public.  They even got their picture in the Bay City Tribune.  These beautiful and very interesting birds have become somewhat tame in the park.  I think being around the ducks and geese and getting use to seeing people in the park is the reason.  Anyway, back to the painting: In the first setting I got the scene blocked in with basic color, highlights and shadow.  I didn't try to get the reflections perfect on first try.  I prefer to cover my canvas completely and then start refining the painting.  I think it is much easier for me to see what I want to do once the canvas is filled.  I was lucky with this one as the 'block in' is close to where I am going with the painting.  In this painting, the water and reflections will be moe challenging than the birds.  The water and reflections do not have to be painted exactly, but need to be believable for the viewer.  No need to paint every ripple.  I tried that once and it gave me a headache.  LOL

If you live in the area or visiting, visit LeTulle Park and the Birding Center next to the park.  You may be able to see the spoonbills or other unique wildlife.  Comments are welcome.  Hope you like the story.

Let us pray before we paint,
Jimmie@jimmiesart.com

Butterfly Stardom

Butterfly Stardom, Oil on 12x12 Gallery Canvas, Deep Edge, Edges Painted

I named my new painting Butterfly Stardom for the sake of combining the subjects of the painting.  I googled for more information on the flower and there appears to be several names for which the flower is recognized:  Texas Red Star, Scarlet Rose Hibiscus, Swamp Hibiscus, and Scarlet Rose Mallow.  There are probably more names.  I think the butterfly may be a swallowtail butterfly.  Maybe someone out there can help me with the ID.  This scene has some beautiful shadows to support the wonderful light effects.  I painted the star and butterfly somewhat realistically and the rest of the foliage more impressionistic to prevent the background from becoming too busy.  Also, many thanks to my friend Ron Mayfield for allowing me to use his photo as a reference for this painting.  Hope you like the painting and the story.

Let Us Pray Before We Paint,
Jimmie@jimmiesart.com