Showing posts with label Birds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Birds. Show all posts

Sunday, August 20, 2023

Faithful Friend, animal portrait


"Faithful Friend"

I've been working on this little painting for over a month! Mostly, I had a hard time finding time to get in the studio, but I loved every minute of creating his portrait. This beautiful fellow belongs to a friend of ours that lives down the road.  He is always right by his master's side and waits patiently every time they come over. 

Please email me if you would like an original animal portrait! I have a price list by size.
fawn@fawnsartstudio.com

~ Original art
~ Acrylic Painting
~ 8x10 inches
~ Not available


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Monday, May 01, 2023

Morning Stroll, white ibis


"Morning Stroll"


Made a few corrections and added extra details to this little painting from a few years ago.

I gave the grass more shadows and enhanced the water to set the ibis off. I also added more feathers. I just love the blueish hues in the shading. Then I dabbed the water with more sparkle and made it drip from the beak slightly.

This bird was a visitor while I was out painting on location at the Savanna's Recreational Area in Fort Pierce. I got quite a few pictures of him as he walked up and down the edge of the water. 

~ Exclusive Art
~ Original Acrylic on hardboard
~ Professional Materials
~ 6 x 6 inches
~ Ready to Frame 

SOLD


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Thursday, April 20, 2023

Standing Tall, blue heron


"Standing Tall"

Took several attempts with this painting.  Mostly I struggled with the proportions. The neck would be too fat, or the legs too short.  Finally created a good stance and stuck with it! 

The background was just plain fun. I added many layers of color and movement.  I like the contrast between the impressionistic background and the realistic heron.  

The great blue heron is a huge bird.  They are almost as tall as me and their wing span looks about 6 to 7 feet or so.  They range from a pale light gray to a bluish gray.  Some of them have sienna red markings and black markings.  They are plentiful around here.  They are experts at catching fish too.  It is amazing to watch them swallow a large fish that looks like it could never fit down that neck!

~ Exclusive Art
~ Original Acrylic on hardboard
~ Professional Materials
~ 9 x 12 inches

Sold


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Wednesday, March 15, 2023

On My Way, path, palms, cardinal




 "On My Way"

"I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the
 Father except by me."   (Jesus speaking)  John 14:6

Exploring this path at a paint-out last year gave me some amazing photos! When the sun peaked through the clouds it inspired me to catch the memory in this painting. I've worked on this painting several times in the past few months and recently put the finishing touches on it.

The Plein air works I did that day were watercolor studies from a different area of the Ancient Oaks Preserve in Fort Pierce, Florida. 


~ Exclusive Art
~ Original Acrylic on hardboard
~ Professional Materials
~ 11 x 14 inches
~ Custom Wood Frame (see below)

SOLD





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Friday, July 29, 2022

Tree Tops, cardinals, impressionism


"Tree Tops"

Applied the paint quickly in this painting, for an impressionistic feel.  Actually, I created it years ago but never finished it. I just pulled it out of storage and added the cardinals and more details in the trees and bushes.  

What inspired me?  Those bright yellow greens contrasted by the deep dark shadows.  I went home and did some small thumbnail sketches so I could capture it later when I had time to paint it!

ENJOY!

  • Original art
  • Acrylic on hardboard
  • 8 x 10 inches
  • Elaborate gold frame (see below)
  • $375.00 (free shipping in USA)
Click here to purchase

 





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Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Enchanted Morning, water lilies, great egret



"Enchanted Morning" 
© Fawn McNeill 2010

Just reframed this little favorite painting.  I did it on location (en plein air) quite a few years ago at White City Park, in Fort Pierce, Florida.  White City Park has always been one of the best places to do a paint-out.  It is hard to decide where to set up my easel!  By the river or near a pond, it doesn't matter because every painting turns out amazing.  

This is one of Kathy Papasso's frames I purchased at the Okeechobee Arts and Cultural Alliance.  Her husband donated her equipment and frames (and many of her paintings) after she passed away from COVID last year.

It brings me comfort and joy to use her frames.

Enjoy!

  • Original Plein Air painting
  • Acrylic on canvas
  • 8 x 10 inches
  • Elaborate gold frame
  • $325.00 (free shipping in the USA)


Email me for availability: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com



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Saturday, January 29, 2022

Sanderlings, shore birds


 "Sanderlings"
© Fawn McNeill 2004

Drip, drip drip. Spritz the paint, tip the painting back to slow the runs, and watch the colors bleed into each other.  Way too cool.

Fun memories! Just pulled this large painting out of storage.  It is part of a 'drippy' series I did years ago.  I believe I did 10 in this style.  The paint is harder to control and similar to watercolors, but on canvas it spreads differently.  The goal is to create an abstract background and then add realism with thick paint and details over the top. This gives it more contrast in transparency against the opaqueness. 

When acrylics are thinned with water instead of with a gloss or matte medium, it is not as permanent and can be easily damaged even after it is dry. Using thin runny paint actually jeopardizes the integrity of acrylics. So I sealed it when I was finished with a few layers of semi-gloss medium and varnish to protect it. (I prefer using professional grade paints and mediums.) Once sealed, the integrity of the painting is restored.  It can be cleaned with a damp cloth if needed without lifting off any of the color.

Acrylic on canvas
24 x 30 in
Thin custom wood frame (see below)
1,500.00 plus shipping


Please email me at: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com for availability, or for information about having something similar created in a size you prefer.



Thursday, January 27, 2022

Beach Reflections, blue heron


"Beach Reflections"

This gorgeous sunset with vivid colors set off the silhouette of a great blue heron as he posed for my friend Carol. 

I used a palette knife for some of the dramatic highlights in the foreground, which gave the painting stronger contrast of not only the highlights but also the thick layers against the smooth brushwork.
The frame (see below) is heavily textured wood, which I slightly accented with gold throughout and then gave it a stronger gold inner lip.

Original art
Acrylic on canvas
14 x 18 inches
Unique custom frame

SOLD



Enjoy!



 

Monday, November 22, 2021

Friendly Snowman, chatting with a cardinal


"Friendly Snowman"

"How do you do?" I imagined the snowman welcomed the little red bird who seemed content to stay awhile.

Sometimes these demo paintings are just too fun to put down.  I made this one up in an afternoon for my afterschool art class.    My students will use him to add to their own winter scene, with or without the snow covered tree. And I'm sure some will add the cardinal. 

Original demo
Acrylic
9 x 12 inches
Not available

I would love to create something similar for you! Email me at: Fawn@fawnsartstudio.com


 

Monday, October 25, 2021

Victorian mural, woman, palms, flowers and egrets


Approximately 10 by 11 feet, located above the walkway cabinets across from 
the kitchen in a beautiful home.

(Sorry for the glare on the image, but there was no way to get a good capture.) 


This image has less glare


Finished this today! What a challenging project this was.  Totally out of my comfort zone, in subject matter, style, and the level of danger!  Really stretched me.
I got the wall primed in late August, and then got sick with COVID the next day.  It was 3 weeks before I got the first lay in started, and I wasn't handling the after affects very well at all.  Scroll down for the in-progress images...


I had to climb up onto the counter top and then climb up on top of the cabinet via the opened door and bottom shelf on the far right.  There was about 10 inches to stand on to reach up, so there was very little space for moving around.  Standing on a small ledge and reaching up was quite exhausting, especially since I was easily tired and still week from being so sick.

 I used a roller to prime it, and trimmed it with large brushes, but it was too difficult to use the roller to get the blending of the colors, so I used large brushes for that.  I had a couple of scary moments with trying to climb up or down: my hand slipped in the small space between the cabinet and the wall (my fingers just fit enough to pull my self up) on the top right side. Thought I was going to have to leave early to change my pants.


I searched rental shops and online for some kind of split scaffold.  I lost sleep over trying to figure out how to build something to make things safer.  I even asked the Good LORD to help me put something together.  This small scaffold idea came to me after I prayed about it! 
 I used clamps to make it easy to move and take apart, but still keep it sturdy.  Climbing up and down was still dangerous, and my body ached in more places than I could have imagined. I expected some soreness in my shoulders, hands, wrists, knees, and legs, but I did not know your ribs in your back had muscles that could get sore! Even my bottom hurt.  (I had already been achy in my joints from COVID, so I wasn't sure how much was from the awkward positions and how much was from the after affects.) Needless to say, I only put in a couple of hours at a time the first week, and I didn't go every day.


In the image below you can get a better look at the way I put two 1 x 4 boards together for each leg to stabilize it, and I made a bracer bar on the top and the bottom of the legs. I screwed that whole base part together. I made the top brace equal to the length of the plywood so I could clamp the base to the platform. I could slide the whole thing down as I moved to the right of the mural.

You can also see that I found an extension ladder that was perfect for this project - I was so excited about that!  So much safer.
I did put drop cloths on the whole length of the counter and the floor, which was a good thing when my bucket of dirty water went over board!  Oh, and my phone bit the dust on another day, cracked the screen protector.

Once I got to feeling stronger, I stayed for longer periods of time and started making good progress.  Staying for 4 to 5 hours each session sped the process up.  It was a total of five and a half weeks from when I actually started painting, but just over two months if you count the time I was quarantined.  

I am so proud of myself for sticking with it and finishing it up!  There were some serious doubts! 

Let me know what you think!
 

Monday, September 06, 2021

Heaven's Grace, Knife painting, Dove


 "Heaven's Grace"
© by Fawn McNeill, Dec. 2020

This is a demonstration painting from last year. I was using the knife to paint over a smoothly painted background (used a brush for the background).  I wanted to exaggerate the contrast of the smooth texture against the rough texture. 
This painting is special to me because I sign my name with a dove as a thank you to God the Father.  The dove is symbolic for the Holy Spirit.

Acrylic on canvas
11 x 14 inches
Ready to frame
$225.00 (Free shipping in the US)

Please email me for availability: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com




Friday, January 08, 2021

Indian Hills Morning, palette knife, plein air painting


"Indian Hills Morning"

What a beautiful day yesterday!  Wonderful cool weather, partly cloudy, and the birds singing to me!  I haven't been able to do very many paint-outs, so I was excited to get back out there.  It was well worth the drive over!  The Plein Air Painters of the Treasure Coast met at Indian Hills Recreational Area, in Fort Pierce, Florida.

This painting turned out great, but it was actually a failed attempt at a new technique!  I wanted to use a brush to create a dark underpainting and then add the thick knife work over the top in bright colors.  I ended up painting over the underpainting entirely, so I will have to try that idea again.  I am usually a little stingy with the amount of paint I add, so I was also working on applying generous amounts of color.  I got carried away with all the thick textures.  I did like the way the underpainting gave me a guide as I slapped more blobs of paint onto the support!


Here is the painting in progress.  The palms were off to the right of my easel.  I added some more highlights and the egret when I got home.  



8 x 8 x 1 1/2 inches,
Acrylic palette knife, original Plein Air painting,
Sides are painted, framing is optional (see below),
$275.00


Please email me at: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com  for availability 

Thanks for stopping by!



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Saturday, November 07, 2020

Winter Cardinal, mixed media


 "Winter Cardinal"
Original Demo

This was originally a demonstration painting for an adult class a couple of years ago.  I just added glitter paint and some chunky glitter for the snow.  Wanted to add a little sparkle!

Enjoy!

11 x14 inches
Mixed Media on stretched canvas
Ready to frame
Sold


 
I am accepting orders for custom paintings.  If you want something before Christmas we need to get started!  I need more than a month for larger paintings.    

I would love to create a painting for you!


Email me: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com  for information about having your own custom painting created! (Animal portraits, kids with pets or livestock, homesteads, vistas, inspirational art, etc... )  
Price list by size.



Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Spoonbills Feasting, mixed media, wild flock, Florida art


"Spoonbills Feasting"
© Fawn McNeill 2019


This is an older painting that I have revisited by painting more details and adding some bling.  I also put in a new frame.

Here is what I wrote about it a few years ago:
This was an amazing site! I have seen spoonbills at zoos, but this is the first time I have seen them in the wild. The evening sun was shining on them and the pink feathers were just dancing all around. I tried to capture it from memory, because I forgot to take my camera! 

I added beads and aquarium stones for more interest.  I enjoy the reflected light on the objects.

8 x 10 inches
Mixed Media
Unique custom frame (see below)
$190.00


Email me: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com  for availability


Thanks for stopping by!
 
FYI: I use professional artist grade materials for priming, painting, adhering, and sealing my work.
This one has aquarium stones and beads added to the shore and in the flowers.  
 






Saturday, September 12, 2020

At the Edge, mixed media, blue heron

"At the Edge" (Lake Okeechobee)

© 2020

Original Mixed Media 





A few years ago, I did some plein air studies during a drought at Nubbin's Slough.  This experimental painting came from those studies.  Here I used paper-clay for the rocks.  (Paper fibers are added to the clay for more strength).  These hand sculpted rocks have a cool looking 3-D effect.  I also enjoyed building up the weeds with gel medium to create interesting patterns of texture.  

I hid some angels in the sky and used tiny brushes for the distant birds and extra details.


9 x 12 inches

Custom wood frame (see below)

Sold


This painting is also available at Unique Boutique, Okeechobee Florida!




Email me: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com  for availability or information about hosting a private show and/or having your own custom painting created! (Animal portraits, kids with pets or livestock, homesteads, inspirational art, etc... )  
Price list by size.

Thanks for stopping by!




 

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Wild Angels, egrets, stream, knife painting


"Wild Angels"
© Fawn McNeill 2007



This is an older painting that I always loved. 
The morning that I took pictures of this stream, some of the foliage and mist looked like large beings. As I painted it, they began to look like angels. So I had to emphasized them. 

I just put this painting in a new custom frame. (See below)

9 x 12 inches
Palette knife painting on hardboard
Elaborate Gold Frame
Sold



Please email me at: fawn@fawnsartstudio.com  for information about having your own custom painting created! (Animal portraits, kids with pets or livestock, homesteads, inspirational art, etc... )  
Price list by size.

Thanks for stopping by!


Saturday, February 01, 2020

Timeless Moments, sunset beach, seashells




Timeless Moments
"His mercy endures forever." Psalm 136

Finished this painting a few months ago.  I haven't posted anything here in a long time. 

This painting is full of thick impasto layers. I also added actual seashells, sea glass, sand dollars, and two hand sculpted clay items (a turtle in the foam, and a starfish on the shore.)  The clay items are a new element. I truly enjoyed creating them and painting them after adhering them to the canvas.  I'm using paper clay, which is clay with paper fibers added to make it stronger.  It is a lightweight clay and is something I want to explore further.

I was going through some personal issues when I painted this and thought about how somethings seem to transcend time. Some memories are as fresh as yesterday even though they happened years ago! Some things can happen in no time and seem like forever.  This led to the concept that we make time, it is in us and not just something that happens to us.  We choose to enjoy it, use it wisely, or do nothing with it.  So all of that is  flowing through this painting as the woman contemplates the vastness of it all.

I hid an angel in the sky, but not in the clouds per say, it is in reverse. The blue of the sky is in the shape of an angel by the clouds around it.  Makes it harder to find, but I wanted to make it bigger than the small ones I usually paint in the clouds.

24 x 36 inches
Mixed media
Elaborate custom frame (see below)
Sold







Thanks for looking!  Please share!

Thursday, June 20, 2019

Broken Bricks Mural, ocean scene



I have been wanting to paint stones or bricks (or something) behind the stove for a few years now.  Once I got started it was really fun.  I decided to break the bricks open so I could look at more than just bricks on the wall while cooking...


My husband wanted birds, so I added the water and some birds!

 Hard to see the angels, but there are two angels in the clouds.  That was my favorite part.


I made the wall look like broken plaster around the bricks to tie it all together.  Just sealed it with two coats of clear sealer.