Tulips are Flying Off the Paper

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

ABOVE THE CROWD - 5 x 7 - Available

Spring must be on my mind, as suddenly I have all these tulips I want to paint.  We went down to Connors last spring, a place in northern Washington State, for the spring Tulip Festival.  It was a beautiful sunny day and the fields were just bright ribbons of colour.  There was pinks, yellows, reds, and purples; fields and fields of them in full bloom; quite a sight to see!  I took tons of pictures and now I am ready to paint.

I had this interesting arrangement drawn out and I decided to try some different effects.  For "Above the Crowd" I used the smooth side of the paper, and then really intensified the shadows to get some interesting patterns happening.  It looked very weird at first and I really had to push myself to finish.  My husband kept saying "keep going" don't judge it till you're done.  I was glad I listened as now I really kind of like it. 

For "Singled Out" I put lots of colour all over the paper and then drew in my flowers.  I used my blue to really form the flowers and again really intensified the shadow colours.  I love some of the interesting textures and colours that I ended up with.  Not sure if it is too dark but . . .

SINGLED OUT - 4.5 x 6.5 Available

ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE - Newton Cultural Center

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

 That's me hard at work on my latest project - my short-eared owl (you'll see him on the next blog)

Problem-solving, with an artist on their latest project, sharing ideas and even bringing in a laptop so we can sort out computer issues; these are just some of the things that are happening on Tuesday morning with Becky McMahon and myself, Artists in Residence at the Newton Cultural.  I am real enjoying the opportunity to meet and talk with the artists that stop by.  We end up having some great discussions and there is always something new to learn.  If times are slow, Becky and I have our own discussions about projects we are working so things are always lively, the morning just flies.  We are there on Tuesdays 10-12pm til April 27 and the program is free.

One of the initiatives that Becky and I are working on with the Arts Council of Surrey is a juried show "Just Birds" in the Culture Center Gallery for the month of June.  The theme of course is birds, one of many artists favourite subjects and so dear to many of our hearts.  As long as there is something about birds in your picture, that is all we ask.  Can you just imagine the variety we will get.  Photography and 3D works are also eligible so the variety will be limitless.  The entry deadline is Friday, April 27, 4pm. and it is an Open Call to Artists.  Applications are available by contacting the Arts Council of Surrey or by contacting Becky or myself. 

Becky with her latest project, she is putting a new twist to her work and it is really looking great.

Becky McMahon's http://www.triskeltreecreations.com/

THE SAINT AND PLAYING SHY

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

THE SAINT - 7 X 5 - SOLD

Isn't she a beauty?  The Saint was born July 2011, it was a busy few hours but once things straightened out she was up and ready to roll.  I wasn't able to see her till the fall; she is nearly 3 months old in my picture.  She has a slim line but such a pretty face.  There is no mistaking that she is female.

The Saint belongs to a friend and I was thrilled to get out and take some shots of her.  It was a rainy day in November, what else is new, when we decided to give it a try.  It was a bit of a challenge as she really did play shy and her owners had to really encourage her so I could get some pictures.  We bobbed and weaved around in the rain for quite some time but it was fun and the results were great. 

PLAYING SHY - 7.5 X 5 - SOLD

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY - LUNCH WITH FRIENDS

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

LUNCH WITH FRIENDS - 11 X 14 -  Available

As you know I am famous for revisiting a picture I am not happy with and trying to save it.  This was definitely the case with my blackbirds.  I loved my birds and my bird feeder in this drawing but somehow my composition did not work for me. (See my original picture below.)  When I was reluctant to take it to a show, I knew I had to do something.  I took it to a critiquing session and listened to all the comments and then I sat with it for a few months while my ideas percolated, finally I was ready to roll.  I developed some background foliage and added another bird to the group.  The picture seems more balanced and  far more interesting now so I am happy.

I am applying for my Signature Status with the Federation of Canadian Artists and I have decided to use my blackbirds as my opening picture.  The application goes in this week so keep your fingers crossed; jurying happens the March 10th weekend!!

THE TEA PARTY - 9 X 12  (No longer available!!)

Snowy Owl Visits Vancouver

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

SNOWY OWL VISITS VANCOUVER - 14 x 18 Available

It's done!! This is one of the largest drawings I have done in a long time and let me tell you, the detail on his chest nearly drove me crazy.  I am really pleased with the drawing;  I love the way the grasses and weeds wind around him.  I really worked to get some texture as well, with burnishing softness for the owl and leaving the tooth of the paper for the log and weeds. 

My original plan was to call this Miss Snowy Owl visits Vancouver as my research gave me the impression that my owl was a young female but as I looked into it more I find that this may also be an immature male.  So hence the name "Snowy Owl visits Vancouver".  Either way it is an amazing sight to see these birds.  We went for a second visit on the weekend arriving just at sunrise (yes, you read that correctly, sunrise).  It was a lovely cold, crisp, morning and the owls although dwindling in number were a wonderful sight to see.   



Snowy Owl Visits Vancouver WIP

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

SNOWY OWL VISITS VANCOUVER - 14 x 18

My first project of the year had to be the Snowy Owls.  They are settled out on the Delta Mud Flats amongst the low brush for our winter.  It is very unusual for them to come this far south and in fact the last time they were here in these numbers, was in the winter of 2005/6.  I was so excited with seeing them over Christmas that I just had to get started on a picture of them.

I wanted my owl to reflect their regal appearance and to integrate him into the surroundings.  I tried several different formats, but it was hard to include the brush and logs and yet give a real sense of his size.  (They are one of the biggest owls.)  This is my final set up and now it is peddle to the metal to finish him (or her) up. 

PS.  Note the picture size, this is my largest drawing.