Painting in the Secret Garden

"Rainbow Flyer" 8x10 oil on panel (scarlet macaw painting)

Happy September everyone! First, I want to thank everyone who attended to the “Secret Garden” Art & Birds Fundraiser over the weekend where I was honored to be one of the featured artists. Thanks to my friends and students who stopped by to support this unique event. You can see a short video of the special event here.

I enjoyed sketching the great horned owl (probably my favorite raptor), watching the other artists paint and of course taking lots of close up reference pics of all the birds including owls, hawks, eagles, and colorful parrots like this gorgeous scarlet macaw.

September 1 also means that’s it’s time to join over 1,000 other artists for the fall “30 in 30” online painting challenge! Lately, I’ve been out and about in the Denver area talking to many artists about the many pleasures, benefits (and yes trials) of “almost” daily painting. So listening to my own advice and planning to post more art this month. And if you are joining the painting challenge thanks for stopping by and best wishes for an enjoyable and productive month--in the studio or plein air.


If YOU want to paint more this fall I still have room in my Thurs. AM Denver painting class at Park Hill Art Club  (near the zoo) which starts Sept. 15. This class is also super affordable for a 10 weeks
of colorful fall painting. Please write to me via my website if you'd like to join the class. Cheers and happy September everyone!

Let's Just Wing It...

Washington Park Raven 8x8 oil on linen panel
Click to Bid--SOLD--Thank you!

The worse my drawings were, the more beautiful did the originals appear.
John James Audubon

Painting lots of birds lately…I’ve read that focusing on birds, dreaming of birds, etc. may symbolize hope, intuition and freedom from boundaries and constraints.  I love the idea that specifically as artists birds could represent our personal quest for creative freedom and our boundless imaginations.  Birds and creativity seem to go hand in hand. We even say we are “spreading our wings” when we grow artistically or “leaving the nest” when we move on to new endeavors.

"High Key" Aspen Robin Study 8x8 oil on linen panel

"Negative Space" Robin Study 8x8 oil on linen panel

I've also been working on smaller paintings as a "first step" to a larger work so looking for a successful 8x8 that will translate well into a 24x24 or even larger. Trying to figure out how to make a 3 foot tall robin look natural and interesting...

Speaking of birds, I particularly enjoy casual birding around my older Denver city neighborhood. Unfortunately, I probably won’t spot too many exotic birds nearby (how I’d love to paint a colorful resplendent quetzal!) but I still enjoy painting robins, sparrows, crows, mallards, etc.

Want to see more bird inspired art and design? Check out my “Feathered Friends” board on Pinterest. Or just type “birds” (or your favorite bird) into the Pinterest home page search. Also here's a short "how to article" for painting small feathers in acrylic. Questions about my art or Denver based art classes please feel free to email in the studio. Happy painting (and bird watching)!