Sea Creatures

And then some fish...

Bluegill

Trigla Volitans (Flying Fish)

Botanicals

After trying my hand at birds and houses and some fruit, I practiced with a book and some online tutorials and discovered that I loved doing botanicals in the antique style.  Creating enough to cover an entire wall in the kitchen occupied me for several months.  Hanging them was almost as difficult, but they turned out quite well.

The collection includes three birds, two fruits and four flowers.  Probably should have thought to scan them individually before framing.

Great Blue Heron

Pat and Bud have purchased a home in Florida.  While visiting them recently they introduced me to Aaron the Heron, a Great Blue that seemed never to move from his corner of a pond/lake near their home.  Pat later asked me to consider doing a heron for her. The new home needs artwork, and (she would never say this) I work cheap.  She has not seen the finished product yet.

Portraits

Gwen is not my first portrait attempt.  Late last year I made my first attempt of my dear friend Pat.  Looking at it now, I'm a bit surprised I chose to share it with her.  My skills with colored pencil, while still placing me in the novice category, have vastly improved.  My portraits of my niece Meghan's children Bernie and Zach (Buddy) are two of my pieces of which I am most proud.

Pat in Harbor Springs

Bernie

Zach

Gwendolyn

Gwendolyn is my nephew Mack's first child.  She is possibly the happiest baby I have ever seen.  Mack is an over-the-moon father and regularly sends pictures of his adorable daughter.  This week he sent one that is destined to be a portrait and the work is underway.  Here is the reference photo.

In a few days I'll post the portrait in progress.