Showing posts with label winter painting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label winter painting. Show all posts

Saturday, January 6, 2018

Glimpse of Red

Glimpse of Red

When there’s a glimpse of red in the world of white,
     You simply must pause and admire for a while.
When there’s a glimpse of red on the blanket of snow,
     You stop what you’re doing to watch and smile.

In a world that’s filled with grays, blues, and browns
     The glimpse of red is so unexpected.
As the cardinal flits near and lands on his perch,
     How can your spirit not be affected?

First you gasp, then you sigh at the glimpse of red.
     You look and listen for his message to your heart.
“…All is well.”  “…I’m just out of sight.”
     “…It’s a beautiful day,”  “…Make a fresh start.”

If there’s a cardinal outside, you want to share it!
   “Come look! There’s one!  Another! Oh, there’re four!”
Just glimpses of red… “Wait! Where did they go?”
     So you stay near the window just a few moments more.

When there’s a glimpse of red in a world of white,
     You stop, take a deep breath, and feel your spirit lift.
When there’s a glimpse of red on the blanket of snow
     You savor it, appreciate it and know it’s a gift.


When there’s a glimpse of red in a world of white.


One of my favorite things about being an artist is being able to say, "I can do that for you!"

Sandra of MMM! Quilts posted this photo and wrote  "I like cardinals. That would make the most perfect Christmas card wouldn't it? If I could photoshop out the upside down patio chair legs, that is LOL. When I posted this photo along with two others on Instagram, Tish reminded me that cardinals can be seen as a visit from our loved ones."
Then I was able to respond with this comment. " Cardinals... so gorgeous... It is impossible not to stop and look when they're flitting around in the snow. And... I might just know of a way that your image could be made into a Christmas card with the chair legs edited out... he he... :)

The story behind this painting is hers to tell, not mine. But, I will say that I love how this painting came to be.

Original Oil Painting on 8"x 10" Wrapped Canvas
[GIFT]

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Cardinal in Winter


Did you just make that up?

I don't usually make things up in my paintings.  I pretty much paint what I see.  Whenever I start making things up, it usually leads to trouble - shadows don't match, proportions are off, colors don't agree... I'm rarely successful  with painting from my mind.

I finished this little bird once.  It looked just like the photograph... and it looked awful, just wrong... as if I'd made something up.

The snow on the branch was so thick that it looked fake.  The blank space around the little cardinal looked unfinished.  The angle of the limb didn't make any sense. The little guy had his eyes closed. His back feathers looked drab. So... I took a completely finished and dry painting and started making things up.  
- I gave him a little slit of an eye.
- I grew a few little background twigs in front of and behind him.
- I scraped off a couple of inches of show.
- I skinnied up the main branch.
- I added some purple to his dark feathers on top.

Then I signed my name.

It's been a harsh winter here in Northwest Arkansas.  We've had some beautiful snows.

Click "Cardinal in Winter" to purchase this little painting.