Kitten and his toy - DPW challenge, 6x6 oil

My Favorite Toy

6x6"

oil on 1/4" board

As a devoted cat lover, I couldn't resist painting this week's Daily Paintworks challenge subject of this adorable tabby kitten, posted and hosted by Dreama Tolle Perry.   Dreama says this could qualify as a still life as cats spend so much time sleeping!  I would be inclined to agree.  And, the legless "bread loaf" position is always a favorite resting position for felines.   Cats are simpler to paint when they look like a bedroom slipper.

Nelson has his favorite toy, which he carries around and brings up on the bed with him.  So, I decided to use one of the toys in the other image she included for the challenge and add it to my version.

On a semi-related note, I went to our local art store yesterday and purchased some Grumbacher refined linseed oil.  This, as per my previous post/rant about the paint problems I was having.  I used it for this painting, and I believe I may have solved my problems with the tacky, sticky paint; a small amount worked very well to soften the stiff W&N Artisan oils, and never tacked up.  I was even able to do some minor adjustments to the painting this morning as the paint was still wet.   So, I will conclude that the walnut oil I was using was probably the culprit in my troubles.

I also purchased a small jar of Gamblin Neo Meglip, as it sounds like something I'd like.  It is a synthetic, modern replacement for the original meglip medium, a soft gel produced from boiling lead in linseed oil combined with mastic varnish and used by painters like Turner to achieve the luminous quality of his work.  Unlike other glazing mediums, such as Liquin, this maintains the body of the paint.  I'm excited to try it, and will report my impressions here when I use it.

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And, since we are on the theme of animals, here are some photos of Canyonlands creatures, from our trip.  No mammals or birds, unfortunately, but the warm weather brings out the little reptiles of the desert out for basking and feeding

Unidentified species, posing for a photo
Lizards always delight me when I see them on hikes.   Some dash off immediately, and others, like this one,  maintain a cautious eye while maintaining their position.

Bee Fly - Heterostylum
I saw several of these fascinating insects on our hike, and I became somewhat obsessed with getting photos of them.  They have these incredibly long pollen or nectar-gathering proboscis, and never actually land on the flowers; their long legs appear to stabilize them while they are feeding.  As scary as these look, they are harmless and do not sting.  

Common Sideblotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana)

Unidentified species of lizard

What on earth is this??
While checking out the one and only location of water along the hike, I noticed what first appeared to be a piece of grass or a thin twig floating in the water (not flowing), but then watched as it began to move and twist itself into loops and knots!  It was close to 12" long and 2mm in diameter.  I did an internet search, but can find nothing.  It was the only one of its kind in the water.  Some type of desert worm?  

Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus Undulatus)

A pair of chicken portraits in oil

Yep, it's another challenge from DailyPaintworks:  The Chicken Challenge:

Ethel

6x6 inches 

oil on 1/4 wood panel

[source photo courtesy of C. Marine]

Freddie

7x5 inches

oil on canvas board

[source photo courtesy of C. Sheeter]

An unexpected break from the landscapes - I honestly didn't consider that chickens would be the subject matter for any paintings this week.  But, it sounded like so much fun that I just had to try it.  And, I enjoyed painting "Ethel" yesterday afternoon that I started on "Freddie" last night after the brownish madder I used to tone the canvas was dry.  I finished him up late this morning.

Of course, I have never painted a bird or chicken before.  I've been wanting to paint more animals ever since I did Observation Deck.  Unfortunately, I didn't have a single reference photo of a chicken, so I went with Carol's provided photo and one found in the Reference Image Library on WetCanvas for Freddie's.

I like chickens, actually. They are clearly unaware of their low order on the food chain, and you always hear stories about how mean roosters can be, especially when defending their hens.  The look in Freddie's eye tells you he is not to be trifled with.

This very short video never fails to make me laugh:



Ethel started out with a pencil sketch onto the board, but with Freddie, I jumped right in with the oils, making some corrections as I went.  The easiest parts of the paintings to do, beside the backgrounds?  The eyes.  Probably not what most people would say, but back when I was doing mixed media equine sculpture, I painted many tiny equine eyes.  And quite well, I might add.  They are the key of animal (or most human) portraits - if the eyes aren't right, the painting fails.

The hardest part was trying to get Freddie's feathers to look acceptable.  He is a Barred Rock rooster, and the black and white feather pattern is complex to say the least.  The extreme darks of the feathers in the photo didn't translate so well to a painting, so here it is just suggested; I ended up wiping it off twice before settling on this final version.

Palette used:  alizarin crimson, cadmium reds dark & medium, burnt sienna, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue.

Can't ever be too far from the landscapes, but I'm really liking these chickens.  I have a few more reference photos, so who knows?

Rays of Hope for Japan - auction piece

Tags:  loyal Japanese dog - original pastel painting - dog portrait - 9x12 - Japanese earthquake donation 

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"Rays of Hope for Japan"

9x12 inches

pastel on Strathmore 500-series paper

This week's challenge on the DPW site is for donations to help the Japanese tsunami victims.  Since I don't have any cash to spare to send, this was a perfect way for me to help out those folks suffering who have literally lost everything.  I wanted to do something special for this auction - something that would symbolize hope after such devastation and loss.

This painting is also a reminder that it is not just humans that suffer during a catastrophe, but animals as well.  Pets are displaced from their humans, and the loss or disappearance of a beloved pet just adds to the sadness and despair of people already grieving.

I imagine this image of the spaniel will be recognizable to many viewers; if by chance you haven't seen this video that went viral, have a look.  Warning:  it is emotional to watch (but in a good way).



For this piece, I chose to vignette the background with a loose representation of the Japanese Rising Sun flag and rays of hope.  The green represents renewal and life.  The Japanese symbols in the lower left mean "Hope" in Kanji.  Here is a link to the DPW challenge page, where you can see all the work artists are generously donating.  I'll be posting my submission shortly.   After careful consideration, and given the subject of the painting, I have decided to donate proceeds from the auction to the Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue & Support.

Addendum - 3/30/11:  I am happy to report that this painting was sold through the auction, and proceeds were given to the JEAR&S.  Thank you to L.S. for your bid!

Observation Deck

Another limited palette painting of burnt sienna, ultramarine blue and white:

Observation Deck

8x6 inches

oil on canvas panel

A favorite feline activity:  staring out the window.  We call it "cat TV".  Nelson sits at the window in my computer room taking in the sights below.  This is one of his favorite channels, especially when the neighbor's kitty is outside.