Maple Leaves – 48H x 84W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas, wrapped sides painted. Work in progress.

On paintings with such large surfaces, acrylics are used more like watercolors, with gradually built thin layers of paint and matte gel medium. Soon after this stage as I become more confident with the subject, paint is applied thicker in areas helping to give a better illusion of depth.

…a close look at the skin and overall design of an Armadillo who met misfortune near the Texas Motor Speedway.

This morning I started painting Maple leaves on one of the large heavy-duty frames we made last week. Trying to think of a catchier title as I work. 48H x 84W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas. It should be a good study of the color green.
And speaking of green, yet another photo of one of the Anoles running around in the back yard this morning – I love watching these little guys!
 

Artini, 24 x 24 inches acrylics on canvas. Rubbing white with a damp cloth over the textured surface, I can apply this technique to the next painting. This is serious play! The painting Artini and another recent one, Myrtle At The Zoo illustrate that: whether seasoned or just beginning, artists need to stay open all the time to media-exploration and self-discovery. Even if it’s been tried many times before, there are a lot of little tricks that are easier to try out on less serious paintings, enabling more confidence when trying them out on work with higher cost of materials and time-investment. Experimenting and exploration result in knowledge and experience of the properties of various media; learning about yours and the media’s potential and limitations.

I started covering the new stretcher-frames we built last week. Leftover canvas was cut and ironed into strips about 1″ wide, then woven across a 24 x 24 inch stretcher. I have a few ideas, and will start painting this one when Artini is finished.

Artini, Shaken Not Stirred – 24H x 24W inches acrylics on canvas, wrapped sides painted, frame unnecessary, hung diagonally.

I see more little green feet in our future…

Single eggs, .25 inches small, are laid every two weeks between March through October and abandoned, hatching after 5-7 weeks.

Caring. It’s that simple.

For facts about Green Anoles and other reptile care and conservation: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/FactSheets/Anole.cfm

Bearded Iris painted plein air,44H x 18W inches acrylics on canvas

Progression of work

I could no longer avoid the subject of Iris, have always thought the subject to be too cliche, but they are blooming crazily in our garden this week, are so beautiful. This variety actually blooms an unprecedented 3 times a year here in Texas! Some of the flower stalks grow well over three feet tall, with six or seven large five and a half inch blooms.

It is Green Anole mating season. A male sits on the warm barbecue and sports his attractive dewlap. My hopes are that the Anoles will expand their family here, and that they eat fire ants!

Portulaca: low-maintenance, sun-thriving, cheerful colors.

Homemade garden sculpture of a heron, which I replenish regularly throughout the year with branches, vines and grasses. This morning a sparrow borrowed some material for its nest.