Drawings and Paintings
A sampling of my recent drawings and paintings. The description with each image gives information about the medium, the inspiration, and other notes.
Saw Whet Owl, Aegolius acadicus
Acrylic on canvas board, 27 x 18 cm Nocturnal owls roost in a concealed location during the day. The tiny Saw Whet Owl usually chooses dense conifers for a day-time roost. A sighting of this owl is uncommon, and in fact the species was thought to be rare until a recent mist-netting study revealed that they are actually quite common - just not often observed. |
Black-capped Chickadee, Poecile atricapillus
Acrylic on canvas board, 25 x 20 cm Small birds fluff their feathers to trap body heat on cold days - when these chickadees also appreciate energy-rich sunflower seeds from backyard feeders. And the colder it is outside, the tighter the curl of the rhododendron leaves. |
Keel-billed Toucan, Ramphastos sulfuratus.
Acrylic on canvas board, 13 x 18 cm
A "feeder bird" of a different sort. Toucans love bananas put out to attract various tropical frugivores - and the birders who flock to see them. I did this field painting at the Laguna Lagarto lodge in northern Costa Rica.
Acrylic on canvas board, 13 x 18 cm
A "feeder bird" of a different sort. Toucans love bananas put out to attract various tropical frugivores - and the birders who flock to see them. I did this field painting at the Laguna Lagarto lodge in northern Costa Rica.
Jocotoco Antpitta (Grallaria ridgelyi)
Acrylic on canvas board. Left: 25 x 20 cm, Right: 20 x 20 cm The pattern of color, of light and dark on this antpitta's face is unique in the genus Grallaria. Although this bird, like all passerine birds, has very limited forward-facing vision, I have shown it in this view to capture the striking pattern of dark and light feathers. This bird was new to science in 1997, discovered in the Andes of southern Ecuador. |
Green Jay (Cyanocorax luxuosus)
Acrylic on canvas board Right: 20 x 20 cm, Left: 25 x 20 cm The Green Jay is a bird of subtropical to tropical forests, where sun-dappled shade is common. These colors and patterns work well to confuse and conceal the bird's actual features. The pale blue feathers above and below the eye stand out from the black mask, and can be articulated separately from the other facial feathers. |
Black-billed Magpie, Pica hudsonia.
Watercolor and gouache. 38 x 50 cm
A common and gregarious denizen of Western North America, the Black-billed Magpie is a member of the family Corvidae. True to its kinship with crows and jays, it can be clever, mischievous and a delight to observe in the wild. Carrying its long tail plumes delicately off the ground, the magpie will strut along in search of insects, seeds, and even small vertebrates. The male's tail is somewhat longer than that of the female, and they both show multi-colored iridescence in the sun, with greens, bronzes and purples. White patches in the primary feathers of the wing flash brilliantly in flight, adding to the "pied" look of this sassy corvid.
My magpie sits on a branch of Box Elder, Acer negundo, in flower in the early springtime. The native range of this small to mid-sized tree extends from North America's mid-Atlantic states to edge of the Rocky Mountains.
Watercolor and gouache. 38 x 50 cm
A common and gregarious denizen of Western North America, the Black-billed Magpie is a member of the family Corvidae. True to its kinship with crows and jays, it can be clever, mischievous and a delight to observe in the wild. Carrying its long tail plumes delicately off the ground, the magpie will strut along in search of insects, seeds, and even small vertebrates. The male's tail is somewhat longer than that of the female, and they both show multi-colored iridescence in the sun, with greens, bronzes and purples. White patches in the primary feathers of the wing flash brilliantly in flight, adding to the "pied" look of this sassy corvid.
My magpie sits on a branch of Box Elder, Acer negundo, in flower in the early springtime. The native range of this small to mid-sized tree extends from North America's mid-Atlantic states to edge of the Rocky Mountains.
A study in shades of blue, purple and green, the dark feathers of the magpie can often appear black. Catching the natural sunlight transforms them to a deep brilliant blue with multi-colored iridescence. Shininess is difficult to capture in watercolor paints, so I have brushed on areas of lighter, opaque color, in an effort to show those highlights.
Common Potoo, Urutaurú, watercolor
Common Potoo, Urutaurú, Nyctibius griseus.
Watercolor and gouache. 38 x 56 cm
In the family Nyctibiidae and order Caprimulgiformes, Potoos are a South and Central American bird, closely related to Whippoorwills. Many members of this large group camouflage on the ground, in leaf litter, or by aligning the body parallel to a tree limb. The Common Potoo hides in plain sight, often perching on the exposed end of a broken branch. A nocturnal flier, the potoo will remain motionless during the day, keeping watch on the observer through specially notched eyelids. The chick learns to "freeze" at a very young age, but here has been caught peeking. As they rest together, the silky breast feathers of the parent bird drape over the youngster, blending the two into one.
This painting was exhibited in the Greater New York Guild of Natural Science Illustrator's 2013-2014 show, with the theme of Nature's Camouflage. From April through September 2014, my potoos will be in the Guild's National Member's Show in Boulder, Colorado - yes, my painting was just accepted into this exciting juried show.
With thanks to Ramon Moller Jensen for kindly allowing me to base this painting on his photos.
Gracias a Ramón Moller Jensen quien muy amablemente me permitio utilizar sus fotografías como modelo para esta pintura.
Watercolor and gouache. 38 x 56 cm
In the family Nyctibiidae and order Caprimulgiformes, Potoos are a South and Central American bird, closely related to Whippoorwills. Many members of this large group camouflage on the ground, in leaf litter, or by aligning the body parallel to a tree limb. The Common Potoo hides in plain sight, often perching on the exposed end of a broken branch. A nocturnal flier, the potoo will remain motionless during the day, keeping watch on the observer through specially notched eyelids. The chick learns to "freeze" at a very young age, but here has been caught peeking. As they rest together, the silky breast feathers of the parent bird drape over the youngster, blending the two into one.
This painting was exhibited in the Greater New York Guild of Natural Science Illustrator's 2013-2014 show, with the theme of Nature's Camouflage. From April through September 2014, my potoos will be in the Guild's National Member's Show in Boulder, Colorado - yes, my painting was just accepted into this exciting juried show.
With thanks to Ramon Moller Jensen for kindly allowing me to base this painting on his photos.
Gracias a Ramón Moller Jensen quien muy amablemente me permitio utilizar sus fotografías como modelo para esta pintura.
Black and White Monjita, Viudita Blanca Grande
Black and White Monjita, Viudita Blanca Grande, Xolmis dominicanus
Watercolor and Gouache, 28 x 38 cm
In the family Tyrannidae, this striking flycatcher shares a wetland habitat with Limnoctites (below). I've painted the female here, with a wash of gray over the crown and back. The male is pure white, with the same striking black wings and tail. She's perched on the dried flower heads of Eryngium, watching for flying insects to capture on the wing.
This species is often seen in tandem with the Saffron-cowled Blackbird, El Dragon, (Xanthopsar flavus), another extreme habitat specialist. The relationship between the two species seems to go deeper than simply habitat requirements, more field work needs to be done here.
And, a painting of that Uruguayan bird is next!
Watercolor and Gouache, 28 x 38 cm
In the family Tyrannidae, this striking flycatcher shares a wetland habitat with Limnoctites (below). I've painted the female here, with a wash of gray over the crown and back. The male is pure white, with the same striking black wings and tail. She's perched on the dried flower heads of Eryngium, watching for flying insects to capture on the wing.
This species is often seen in tandem with the Saffron-cowled Blackbird, El Dragon, (Xanthopsar flavus), another extreme habitat specialist. The relationship between the two species seems to go deeper than simply habitat requirements, more field work needs to be done here.
And, a painting of that Uruguayan bird is next!
Straight-billed Reedhaunter, Pajonalera de Pico Recto, watercolor
Straight-billed Reedhaunter, Pajonalera de Pico Recto, Limnoctites rectirostris
Watercolor, 45 x 28 cm
Seeing this unique resident of the wetlands of eastern Uruguay in its native habitat moved me to try to capture its bold but shy presence in a dwindling natural area. Collected for the first time by Charles Darwin in 1833 on a visit to Uruguay, this bird is a member of the large South American family of Ovenbirds (Furnariidae). An extreme habitat specialist, it occurs only in areas where the spiny caraguatá, Eryngium spp., dominates (family Apiaceae).
Click HERE to see my blog post as the painting developed.
Watercolor, 45 x 28 cm
Seeing this unique resident of the wetlands of eastern Uruguay in its native habitat moved me to try to capture its bold but shy presence in a dwindling natural area. Collected for the first time by Charles Darwin in 1833 on a visit to Uruguay, this bird is a member of the large South American family of Ovenbirds (Furnariidae). An extreme habitat specialist, it occurs only in areas where the spiny caraguatá, Eryngium spp., dominates (family Apiaceae).
Click HERE to see my blog post as the painting developed.
Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, watercolor
Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Picoides borealis.
Watercolor and Gouache, 37 x 54 cm
Early dawn light in Florida's longleaf pine ecosystem inspired me to capture this scene in transparent watercolor. The Red-cockaded Woodpecker is the emblematic bird of this unique habitat, and here I have shown it on the Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris), with Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) scattered throughout the savannah-like forest.
The painting has been entered in the current Guild of Natural Science Illustrators Greater New York Chapter juried show entitled "Habitats" - at the Highstead Museum in Redding, Connecticut (Sept 2012), and in Yale University's Environmental Science Center in New Haven, Connecticut (Jan 2013).
Click HERE to see a slide show of the painting as it progressed from sketches to the final piece.
And HERE to see my blog post about the Highstead show.
Watercolor and Gouache, 37 x 54 cm
Early dawn light in Florida's longleaf pine ecosystem inspired me to capture this scene in transparent watercolor. The Red-cockaded Woodpecker is the emblematic bird of this unique habitat, and here I have shown it on the Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris), with Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) scattered throughout the savannah-like forest.
The painting has been entered in the current Guild of Natural Science Illustrators Greater New York Chapter juried show entitled "Habitats" - at the Highstead Museum in Redding, Connecticut (Sept 2012), and in Yale University's Environmental Science Center in New Haven, Connecticut (Jan 2013).
Click HERE to see a slide show of the painting as it progressed from sketches to the final piece.
And HERE to see my blog post about the Highstead show.
Bohemian Waxwings, colored pencil.
Bohemian Waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus.
Colored pencil, 26.5 x 34 cm
Exhibited in 2010 Guild of Natural Science Illustrators juried show "Songbirds of New England" at Highstead Museum, in Redding, Connecticut, and at Yale University's Environmental Science Center, New Haven, Connecticut.
I watched a small flock of these waxwings on a windy day in a grove of white pines in New Hampshire. They were fluffed against the cold and keeping close together in the gregarious way of all waxwings.
Colored pencil, 26.5 x 34 cm
Exhibited in 2010 Guild of Natural Science Illustrators juried show "Songbirds of New England" at Highstead Museum, in Redding, Connecticut, and at Yale University's Environmental Science Center, New Haven, Connecticut.
I watched a small flock of these waxwings on a windy day in a grove of white pines in New Hampshire. They were fluffed against the cold and keeping close together in the gregarious way of all waxwings.
Blue-winged Warbler, colored pencil.
Blue-winged Warbler, Vermivora cyanoptera.
Colored pencil, 29 x 19 cm
Also exhibited in 2010 Guild of Natural Science Illustrators juried show "Songbirds of New England" at Highstead Museum, in Redding, Connecticut, and at Yale University's Environmental Science Center, New Haven, Connecticut.
The Blue-winged Warblers search for early spring caterpillars within the apple blossoms in my yard. When the tree is in flower, it's a magnet for birds and insects alike.
Colored pencil, 29 x 19 cm
Also exhibited in 2010 Guild of Natural Science Illustrators juried show "Songbirds of New England" at Highstead Museum, in Redding, Connecticut, and at Yale University's Environmental Science Center, New Haven, Connecticut.
The Blue-winged Warblers search for early spring caterpillars within the apple blossoms in my yard. When the tree is in flower, it's a magnet for birds and insects alike.
Golden-throated Barbet, opaque watercolor.
Golden-throated Barbet, Megalaima franklinii
Opaque watercolor (gouache), 25 x 18 cm.
First in my series of the barbets of India and Nepal, the Golden-throated Barbet is a resident of the dense temperate forests of the Himalayan slopes. This bird sat quietly for a long while, preening and watching me. Seen at 2500m in Eaglenest Sanctuary in India's northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Prints available.
Opaque watercolor (gouache), 25 x 18 cm.
First in my series of the barbets of India and Nepal, the Golden-throated Barbet is a resident of the dense temperate forests of the Himalayan slopes. This bird sat quietly for a long while, preening and watching me. Seen at 2500m in Eaglenest Sanctuary in India's northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Prints available.
Coppersmith Barbet, opaque watercolor.
Coppersmith Barbet, Megalaima haemacephala.
Opaque watercolor (gouache), 36 x 30 cm.
Second in my series of the barbets of India and Nepal, the Coppersmith is the most widespread and familiar of the barbets. I enjoyed observing this pair in the treetops around a lodge near Chitwan National Park, in the lowland terai of Nepal.
Original painting and prints available.
Opaque watercolor (gouache), 36 x 30 cm.
Second in my series of the barbets of India and Nepal, the Coppersmith is the most widespread and familiar of the barbets. I enjoyed observing this pair in the treetops around a lodge near Chitwan National Park, in the lowland terai of Nepal.
Original painting and prints available.
Great Barbet, opaque watercolor.
Great Barbet, Megalaima virens.
Opaque watercolor (gouache), 32 x 40 cm
Third painting in my series of the barbets of India and Nepal, the Great Barbet is the largest of the Asian barbets, and a resident of the Himalayas. I observed this bird feeding on abundant fruit in the dense forests of Pulchowki Hill, in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley.
Original sold.
Prints available.
Opaque watercolor (gouache), 32 x 40 cm
Third painting in my series of the barbets of India and Nepal, the Great Barbet is the largest of the Asian barbets, and a resident of the Himalayas. I observed this bird feeding on abundant fruit in the dense forests of Pulchowki Hill, in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley.
Original sold.
Prints available.