Goldfinch Solarplate Drawing on Glass

I thought I'd try another solarplate etching. This time the drawing is from a painting that I did earlier. I chose a portion of it to create a small black and white drawing on the glass. It might be a bit of a busy design but I'd like to see how it comes out. It's not quite finished but when it is, I'm going to expose it on a solarplate in the sun and then print it. Oh man, I love drawing on the glass. Drawing can be so relaxing.....ah....
Sorry I got lost there for a moment. Printing results are coming soon!

Hollywood Cemetary - An old US Cemetary in Virginia

Last year I discovered Hollywood Cemetary in Richmond, Virginia. The name comes for the holly trees that dotted the landscape when it was first created. There are some famous people buried there - US Presidents and military generals....18,000 Confederate soldiers from the Civil War of the 1800's. It's great to visit for the history and for the quiet. To have a nice walk! Or be inspired to make more cemetary etchings!
Here are some photos. You can search the web for more info, if you like.

Virginia Zoological Park Farewell Event

Two weeks ago I volunteered to participate in an event at our local zoo, a farewell to two female elephants, soon moving to another larger zoo in South Florida. The zoo asked if some artists from my art center could come to the zoo and do some artwork in public of animals of our choice. I asked to be set up near the Crested Cranes but when I arrived, there were only Bongos! Oh well, I really do like Bongos. They are fun to paint because they have those cool stripes and other spots. So I took my watercolor kit and paper and attempted to paint a Bongo while talking to lots of interested kids and their parents. It was very cool that day and a bit windy. There was no desire by my easel  to remain upright so I gave up and sat at the table!

Happy for warm sun on my back!

Hey, come back here.

From that, I am working on this Bongo watercolor painting.

Another zoo view from my spot.

Great horned owls

I've been working on a painting of Great horned owls using gouache paint. These large owls are native to the Americas and have a vast range. I had some nesting in a large pine tree in my backyard one time. The crows seem to chase any owl away these days! 
Here I'm showing just a few steps in my painting process. I may need to make a few changes but first I'm going to let it rest for awhile. Then take another look!
12" x 15"

Bubo virginian

My New Studio

My new work space is all painted and ready for some serious work! I know I can paint there but I'll be experimenting soon to see what types of printmaking will be doable without a sink in my studio. :-/ Otherwise I like  the look of it. Visitors are welcome!

Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City

Last week I was visiting New York City with a friend and went to the great Metropolitan Museum of Art, wanting to see an exhibit of prints from their collection and other exhibitions there. I was excited to see that there was an exhibit of works by Vigee Le Brun! But without a membership I was unable to enter the exhibit at the time. I was so disappointed...... Of course there are many other works of art to see there and plenty of places to get lost, I found!

I was excited to see this but was too early to see the exhibit. :-(