Pearly

oil on cradled panel, 16" x 8"

I started this painting with the idea in mind of messing it up a little at some point, but, as sometimes happens, I grew attached to this little magpie and so decided in the end not to mess with her.  I quite like how her tail feathers blend in with the wood post.  Magpies are beautiful birds, especially when in flight.  

On a Mission

oil on cradled panel, 9" x 12"

This is an attempt to meld architectural elements with abstraction, a painting of one corner of the historic, much photographed and painted church in Ranchos de Taos known as San Francisco de Asis Mission Church.  The simple, clean lines appealed to me, and allowed for the inclusion of my favorite subject this past year:  the bird!  In this one, I've placed the national bird of New Mexico -- the magpie -- on the ledge to the right, and two pigeons (or doves, as the case may be) to the left.  This church has a certain atmosphere conducive to spiritual healing, as I experienced firsthand a few months ago when I was lucky enough to have the place all to myself for some deep reflection . . . well, me and Lola, that is.  St. Francis would have loved her!  

A Delicate Balance

oil on linen-mounted panel, 16" x 12"

It is what it is, folks.  All my paintings are experiments to varying degrees, and this one was my attempt to merge my love of cows with my love of birds, as well as subject with background, admittedly with varying degrees of success.  I do like that cow, though; she makes me smile.  The bird is a black-billed magpie.