More on my artistic side.

I would like to share some of my paintings and drawings.

Friday, April 23, 2010

1986 Woodduck .............

When my wife and I married in 1984, I knew she was a non stop painter.  Mostly she painted portraits at that time.  As a school teacher, I had my summer break each year and by the second summer, she had me painting along with her, in Minnesota.  We lived in a very small rustic cabin along Lake Pokegama, and the boys were probably 7 and 10 in age.  They were out and about and we sat at drawing tables and worked four or five hours day.  We sat in front of a bank of windows overlooking the lake rain or shine.

I painted this Woodduck in oils, just to see if I could pull it off. I had never painted any birds before this one.  I had found a small picture, 4 by 6 inches, to look at from an old National Geographic and I just started painting.  It is in actual size a 16 by 20 inch painting.  I never sold it and I am glad that I didn't. It is one of my favorite ducks and favorite paintings.  Some people get confused about the one leg but it was resting it's other flipper, tucking it under it's wing.

At the time I painted it, an artist, Robert Bateman, a very famous  Canadian wildlife artist, was doing so well in the print business.  He was painting so many different animals and birds. He was an inspiration to me and the background and foreground with plants, remind me that I was studying his  work, as they look like what you see in his paintings. He is 20 years older than be and is still painting today.

I haven't touched a paint brush for a few weeks now but I will be working on a mural with my wife soon as we want to get that accomplished by the end of May.

5 comments:

michael&kristine said...

Great woddy. I too was inspired by Bateman. I use to work for a gallery called the Wooden Bird in Minneosta. Thought one day I would be a wildlife artist too. Dog artist is close enough I suppose.

Sunny said...

I can't draw a straight line with a ruler, so I'm in awe of your ability to paint from a picture.
The colors are so vibrant...it's just...you know I'm going to say it!...ducky!
Sunny :)

Anonymous said...

This is great and also full of sweet memories .... L.D. Our downstairs bath is decorated with a duck theme.. :) The Bach

Ezhilan said...

Wonderful painting of a beautiful bird. I like the lighting and the details.

Far Side of Fifty said...

Well if this is your first try..I think you should do more! :)