New paintings and regular art updates.
Tawny owl https://g.co/kgs/tciyaEu
Just heard owls hooting in Penkhull, Stoke-on-Trent. They were going too whit, too woo. That means there are a pair because they share the call. The male hoots one part and the female responds (or it might be the other way round) I think they must be tawny owls but it’s years since I’ve heard any. I can remember hearing a pair regularly 10 or 15 years ago. Perhaps they have migrated in? Good to hear them. Odd I’m wearing an owl patterned top today!
Next weekend I’m busy with an open day at Spode and an exhibition and craft sale at the Whitfield centre with Orme Art Group. I was trying to think of a theme to use for some little paintings I want to do and I’m thinking owls and maybe hedgehogs (which will be curled in autumn leaves). If it happens I’ll post some pictures.
A small turquoise and blue painting of two owls I painted a few years ago. I want to do a few more like this, semi realistic but with a bit of quirkiness.
I’ve got a small craft table in June and I need to restock my paintings. I’ll post about the craft fair soon.
I’m asking for suggestions for small paintings, ideas for new pictures? These will be matchbox sized or slightly bigger. I need to do some paintings of bees on flowers. I painted giraffes against sunsets. I might add some metallic paint again.
I just want to get going. But I’m a bit blocked mentally at the moment. I look at me easle and think, tomorrow? But that begins tomorrow again…. Life is strange.
A painting from five years ago. I do like painting birds, particularly owls. I made a few in pottery class at school, I just like the circles of feathers round their faces that help direct sound to their ears (I might be wrong?) and do they have one ear higher than the other for the same reason. I need to find out.
Too-wit too-woo…
Never hear Tawny owls anymore. We used to have a couple of them up the hill. The males make one sound, Too-wit, then the female answers Too-woo! It’s so evocative of spring, but it doesn’t happen anymore. So many birds are dissappearing, but men don’t seem bothered, they’d rather fight wars. As someone recently said instead of spending money to go to Mars maybe they should spend it on planting forests, or supporting the environment. Endangered means possible extinction. Let’s do something about it.
I did a few quick sketches of the birds and animals while we visited today. A great opportunity to sketch some lovely creatures.
Oi you!
Who are you looking at?
This is an owl seat
Go somewhere else!
Owls rule here
Birds are best!
Owls are tough!
Together we can rule the world!
Owls, painted on a tiny canvas (which is why the canvas surface is so obvious). The beaks and the eyes had tiny pieces of gold leaf to add highlights. Looking at it I might do a few more owl paintings. This is a small picture about 3×4 inches I think I remember? Maybe smaller, it did sell. Again courtesy Facebook memories…
Yesterday’s challenge was draw a sofa, so I did, with my two owl bags staring back at me! Also the brown throw, two green, crocheted blankets, a stripy cushion, a cat cushion with polka dots, another multi coloured throw, all trying to hide a very old, scruffy sofa. The one where the cats clawed a hole in the back. The one where I fixed it, by painting the pattern on some old canvas, and then stapling it in place. The one where subsequent cats have shredded the back corner again.
The sofa should be recognised as a historical monument.
Today’s challenge will probably be equally odd.
X
Lined up, their beady eyes staring at me..
Two owls, mock leather and fake jewels. They sit on the sofa and look back at me. Is there a glint if evil in their eyes. If I fall asleep, will there be a great flapping of wings? Will they peck my face?
They are mocking me, watching me, sitting ready to pounce once I have closed my eyes. I just know it. Nightmares fastening their claws into my arms. Beaks ready to stab at my ears, eyes and mouth.
I remember being paralysed by the fear of them. Black and gold feathers brushing my hands. Their talons raking my veins, tangling in my hair.
How can I escape their gaze. Looking back at me. My reflection in their eyes? I want safety. Instead I may be trapped inside them, in their black lined guts. Lost forever in their gaze.
Mallaband-Brown