INCOGNITO Painting of Goldfinch

gouache 8x10

One of the fundraisers every year at the art center where I have my studio is called INCOGNITO and artists are asked to donate a small work of art, 8" x 10". All for $114 each. People can purchase them but don't know the artist until after they have paid. Although sometimes they can guess by the style, of course! The event is also a wine tasting. Wine and art always seem to go together! Well, sometimes we have beer tastings - I really enjoyed the one we had last year - all local beers. I painted this small painting of goldfinch for the event this year.

Birdbath

When I looked out my kitchen door the other day, I didn't realize how popular my little birdbath had become. The water needed to be refilled but I didn't want to interfere quite yet. The birds were enjoying a warmer day after a few very cold ones! A bluejay was eager to take a bath and the robins had to wait their turn to quench their thirst. Even a squirrel stopped by to take a sip. I think I saw a towee skip by..for only a second! The chickadees didn't have a chance! Here are a few photos that I attempted. (through two glass doors but you can get the picture)

hmmm.....

 



not too bad





a friendly chat...maybe!



Tufted Titmouse

This little bird was waiting for its turn at my birdfeeder this morning. It was a particularly busy morning there. And only 19 degrees F.! I saw the usual birds such as Cardinals, Carolina Wrens, Chickadees, a Flicker, and Tufted Titmice. Yes, the plural of Titmouse is Titmice. I was never sure myself until I looked it up recently. I read that the word Titmouse comes from two old English terms - "tit" meaning any small object or animal and "mase" meaning small bird. So the whole thing means one small, small bird! That's all! Anyway, they're very sociable with other small birds like chickadees and stay around all year long. I'm thinking they would make a good painting......although they don't have much color. Hmm...

Northern Cardinal Etching

The Northern Cardinal is a North American bird found in Southern Canada and throughout the US from Maine to Texas and into Mexico. I have enjoyed seeing them all of my life. I watched one in my birdbath the other day which was special to me because this is the first time I've had a birdbath! I really hope there aren't any new cats in the neighborhood. I thought it would be a good time to make an etching of a cardinal since we associate them so much with Christmas. The male is very distinctive with its black mask and vibrant red color. I know, my etching is black and white but I know you'll recognize it anyway! The paper is whiter in real life. Photographing etchings is a challenge!

Christmas Carolers

Carolers bring Christmas cheer! Every year singers from the Virginia Corale (I think) spread joy in downtown Norfolk and always come through the art center where my studio is located. I love their costumes and they are so friendly that I thought I'd take a picture. It came out pretty well!! I don't mind having my work day interrupted by their singing!

Hermitage Museum and Gardens in Norfolk, Virginia

Recently I visited The Hermitage Museum in Norfolk, Virginia to see an exhibit of works by artists who have studios in the museum's Visual Arts Studio. The museum is an early 20th century historic Arts and Crafts style house converted to a museum. It has a world wide art collection and exhibit galleries with 12 acres of formal gardens, natural woodlands and wetlands. It was built by William and Florence Sloane,

wealthy New Yorkers who came to the area in 1895 to operate textile mills. It was built to be a summer house but the owners soon lived there year round. They were avid art collectors. It's not so far from my house that I can easily go there and admire it - the beautiful woodwork inside and gardens outside! I've enjoyed participating in a few miniature exhibits there. Here are a few photos of it and two of the exhibit I saw. And for your pleasure, one of my must-see videos!



Rose Garden





Front Entrance

 



Rabbit sculpture by Virginia VanHorne



"Thinking Caps" by Patricia Isenhour