Artists For Conservation 2015 Exhibit Book

With anticipation, I finally received the 2015 Nature in Art Exhibit Book from AFC!

This year, my painting of a snowy egret entitled "Angel Feathers" made the cut and was accepted into the online exhibit. It was not available for the live exhibit in BC because the painting sold several years ago, but nonetheless, was chosen and is now published in this beautiful hardcover. I am so very thrilled and honored to be part of such a prestigious organization!

Click on the book page below to read the print!

You can view a better image of the painting by clicking on the images below:

A few more touch ups??

I decided to add the leaves at the bottom as I felt it might frame the subject rather nicely and further enhance the back lighting. However, I'm still contemplating changing the shape of the lighter blurred out leaves to the left of the egret's beak...something doesn't seem right to me there. I'll need to put this painting aside for a bit and back away until it speaks to me that it is finished or that I need to touch it up.

Almost done!

Creating feathers using pastel on sandpaper remains a challenge for me...I'll probably go over the right wing and rework it since I'm not totally satisfied with it. I feel like I am overworking this painting at this stage now and wish it were done!! I can barely add any more layers of pastel on the bird so a light coating of fixative is in order.

Once I'm satisfied with the bird, I still have a bit of greenery to add near the bottom to break the monotony of the background (and add some interest).

A little more progress...

The progress on this bird painting seems to be much slower in the studio today as I am trying to capture the shadowing and correct coloration on the body. Perhaps due to my body being sluggish after a night of celebrating on New Year's Eve despite still having the remnants of a head cold. All that histamine rushing in my bood kept me awake for most of the night which probably did not help! A few nights' rest and I'll be back to normal.

I still have a bit more defining and touch ups to do to the body and wings before I get to start adding the rest of the beautiful feathery plumes.

Bird painting update...

Here's my bird slowly coming to life! I just love backlit subjects...I find they make such wonderful compositions. I guess I lucked out on taking a good photo of this bird so that helps!
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