The Crow and the Owl

Hello everyone,
I'm updating this post that I'd previously done, so that I can enter it in the Artist's Play Room at Just Add Water, Silly. This wonderful blog belongs to Jennifer Mcclean and I've just recently discovered it. I'm loving her weekly theme artist challenges! This week's theme is Thanksgiving. Neither of these paintings are really "Thanksgiving" themed...more so autumn. So, instead of a turkey - I have a crow and an owl!

 Most of my paintings have a nature/animals theme, and some are more whimsical than others. This first one is "Crow at Sunset" on an 8x10 canvas board using acrylics. Jennifer had a sunset theme a couple of weeks ago and this would have been perfect - however that was before I discovered her blog, so she kindly said I could add it to a current challenge to share with everyone.

 

...and this is "Baby Owl with Pumpkin," painted with acrylics on a 10x10 board. I'm having so much fun painting owls lately! This one just landed in a pumpkin patch. I hope he finds his way back home! :)  

 

 

 Next, I'll be painting a more appropriate "Thanksgiving" painting to add to the challenge. This keeps me on my toes and helps keep the creativity flowing.

 

So, until next time, everyone have a good Sunday!

Cindy

 

 

Linking to the following blog parties:

 

Artist's Play Room at Just Add Water, Silly

 

 

 

Paint Party Friday

 



New Owl Painting

This is my latest painting - "Barn Owl on a Snowy Branch" painted with acrylics on an approximate 8x10-inch wooden plaque. I painted this for a niece of mine, who loves animals as I do and collects owls. This is the second owl I've painted, and I seem drawn to them lately (yes, I know they're everywhere this year, especially this fall decorating!) I've decided to do a whole series of owls. 

 

This is the first one I painted. It's quite a bit more "whimsical" than the barn owl.

 

 

 These mysterious creatures have represented many things in myths and legends. Everything from wisdom and protectors and bringers of prophecy, to omens of death, depending on the culture and the time in history. The Native American Hopi Tribe believed owls to be sacred, and the Burrowing Owl was a protector of all the plants and things that grow on the earth.  In parts of England, it's considered good luck to see an owl. Over the years, there have been lots of superstitions surrounding the birds, but since the beginning of the 20th century, owls have mostly become a symbol of wisdom.

 

"A wise old owl lived in an oak
The more he saw the less he spoke
The less he spoke the more he heard.
Why can't we all be like that wise old bird?"

 

 

For me - I just think they're beautiful creatures and make fascinating subjects to paint!

 

I hope everyone is having a good weekend so far. It's a rainy, cool, very fall-like day in northwest Ohio. I sure wish I had a fireplace on days like this! Candles will have to do. :)

 

Until next time,

Cindy

 

Linking to:

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

  Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

and

Paint Party Friday

 

 

 

 

 





Owl Painting and Gourd Art ~

Hello everyone,
I want to share a new painting I just finished a week ago (and sold already!) and also a piece of gourd art I'm working on. It's almost done - I just have to finish the butterflies and spray with a protective coating. I hope everyone is enjoying these last days of summer. August flew by for me! I can't believe it's almost September - but I am looking forward to fall...mild days and crisp, cool nights, pumpkins, the changing of the leaves, sweaters, mums and that indescribable feeling in the air!

I thought it would be fun to share the gourd painting process with you, start to finish. Here's what I started with...a plain hardshell gourd. First it was scrubbed clean, then I cut off the top and cleaned and finished the inside.

 

 

Next, a base coat of ivory paint and black rim, butterflies sketched in... 

 

 

A second rim of orange added...

 

 

Begin painting the butterflies...

 

 

Finished...there are four butterflies around the gourd. This will eventually be going in my Etsy shop.

 

 

 

Have a wonderful week, everyone. I've not been able to post as often lately as I've been so busy with work and art projects. I appreciate each and every one of my followers, though! Thanks so much to those who visit and those who leave comments.  

 

 

Until next time,

Cindy

 

 

Linking to: Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

                                   Make It Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

                        What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

                           Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home