In Search of Happiness

Why do I create? Because it makes me happy. The need certainly surfaces the more bored I become.

I was recently asked to help out with a painting project for Perrot State Park and was happy to comply. As I'm waiting to start camping and traveling again, what better use of my time than to paint for one of my favorite parks.

Here is the location of where the painting will eventually be hung, on the backside of a new kiosk adjacent to the park headquarters.

It was fun to get back into larger scale paintings. Going from 8x10 inches to 4 feet by 6 feet, I did switch from oils to latex and acrylic since the drying time would have taken way too long and it helped keep the cost down. It is a much longer process to paint and immediate gratification the same day wasn't going to happen if I used oils.

Along the way I took photos to record the steps I take, each day and reflect on my progress. I would work about 3 hours daily or so completing a  specific area I selected to work on. I dedicated two weeks to complete the painting, since it would take over my entire studio and I could do nothing else in the meantime. So everyday, except one, I painted, then I could step away. It's amazing to me what can be accomplished when you have a goal.

Starting with a crisp white board, already primed, I began with a quick drawing of the placement of birds. I had roughly organized the layout from a composite of photos. I wanted to show bluebirds nesting in a natural tree cavity and it was also requested to show the birds in man-made assisted living.

Then quickly adding in color blocks and some texture in order to start visualizing how it would all come together. Some paintings just develop as you go along, fixing any problems along the way.

When everything seems to be in the right place, then I start to bring some more details into the subject matter.

Now that everything is in it's place I can start playing with the background. It's good to take a step back and contemplate the background. Keeping in mind this painting will be viewed from a distance.

Then I go over each item again to improve and correct. Adding anything else, like a worm for the baby bluebirds.

Then some final touches to the background and it's done. Sometimes you know you're done when you can't find anything else to make it better or if you're just tired of trying.

Next step delivery and they will treat the surface and install.

Bluebirds-In Search of Happiness 46x72