White-necked Heron

oil on canvas, 12" x 6"

Another bird painting, a favorite subject of mine.

Capped Heron Study

 

oil on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

There are so many extraordinarily beautiful bird species on this planet, and this is one of my favorites.  The capped heron is a rare bird that thrives in the rainforests of Central and South America.  I just love their colors!

The Marsh at Doran Park

oil on cradled panel, 9" x 12"

This is a scene I've been wanting to paint for quite a while.  It lies just south of Bodega Bay, on a bluff overlooking the bay, and is home to lots of birdlife, especially egrets and herons.  The marsh itself is a riot of color and has a walkway that circles it.  I take my dog here often to walk the loop and contemplate nature.  I painted this scene alla prima (in one session) from a photo I had taken and decided to leave it in its sketchiness.  My favorite pieces are often the ones I've done alla prima, those that convey a visible sense of spontaneity.  A singer doesn't sing half a song one day, then finish it the next; a poet doesn't recite half a poem one day, then finish it the next.  A painting like this is of a moment as well, so why not paint it in one go?