The Gift of Art

We reconnected with a close friend for beer on his deck this week and had another encounter with a friends and fellow artists from the past, which are now his neighbors.

The urge to hug and and reunite was overwhelming but we had to do with a socially distant chat which was at least close enough to see their smiles and hear some good news. After our brief visit they gifted me one of his paintings of this sunflower. Photo image was challenging since it was through glass

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I call it a little bit of sunshine on a cloudy day.

Elaine a musician and Bill a painter find joy in their lives through their art. Even though they are missing her church organ performances and his art fairs due to gathering cancellations they did share a bit of great news.

Bill had been picked up as an artist represented by Wild Wings. He stands out from the many wildlife portrayals with his scenic barns. They have more than dozen of his paintings for sale and have created an upcoming calendar focused on his paintings.

In addition to Bill's success, his son Mike is also making his artistic way with his intimate drawings of fish and game matted with inset of little treasures of lures or shells.

Please take a moment and check out wildwings.com and search for the name Zierke. At local fairs you may also know his business name BEE ZEE Art.

Happy and Proud Huzzah

Mc Gilvray Trail

Creek Crossing 8x10

Single Passage 8x10

Spanning Years 8x10

Along the Way 8x10

The now pedestrian trail, once connected traffic from La Crosse to Trempealeau. Along it's path you cross over 100 year old bridges through the bottoms of the Van Loon Wildlife area. The historic bowstring truss bridges give you the opportunity to visit local wildlife along the way.

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

Casting Call

A Fun Day

Look what I caught!

Sisters!

 I made a call to my niece to engage her daughters in doing some artwork for me about fishing. It's so refreshing to see how they perceive the world. The celebration of color and uninhibited expression. Wish I could be as loose and free in my approach. Thank you for participating, loves and hugs from Great Aunt Colleen.

Anticipation-It's Harder than You Think 8x10

Always Grace Under Pressure 8x10

My ulterior motive was to compliment my next painting project. The lure of trying another portrait, lead me to a couple of photos I had of my two beautiful Grand Nieces, enjoying some fishing time with their family. Those around me are often the subject of my work, whether they want to or not.

It's certainly a lot easier to portray a youthful face, than an older adult with so many more lines on their face. I kept the backgrounds more simplified and chose the poses that reflected the intensity of focus on the lines in the water.

They grow so fast and change every time I see them. I hope I captured one day in their lives before they grow up. Of course these are going to Nana and Papa, I figure their mom and dad always get to see them in this time of isolation.



My next project is a bit larger in scale for my favorite park. Details coming up as the project progresses.

Painted Selfie

Calm and Collective 8x10

A common artistic practice is to do the self portrait.

I've put it off til now since I hadn't done much painting in the way of portraiture. Creating pet portraits can still be a challenge, for expression, coloring and breed accurately.


So I began the process of my own self portrayal with taking a selfie on my phone camera. It's not something I am use to. I'm always the one behind the camera so I have very few photos of myself to work from.


Painting from a photo seemed a lot easier than looking in a mirror at my reflection like those masters of days gone by. Did you know Van Gogh did 40 some self portraits.

Sunny Disposition 8x10

After taking lots of photos I decided on these three poses for their expression and light. I discovered painting a self portrait can be very challenging. You want to edit out those parts of yourself you don't like or are resistant to accepting, like the results of aging. We always look better as we look back.


I do not anticipate that I will be offering portraiture painting commissions anytime soon. It is a much more tedious process and I can't imagine trying to satisfy a clients desire and how they imagine they look.

Blue Period 8x10

I'm glad I gave it a try, it helps me grow as an artist and now I have a new and more current image of myself for my blog.
It's just which one expresses myself more.













 

The Return

Ruby Scout 5x7 

Can't hardly wait until their return. The males come first scouting for springs nectar. It's been a long trip but hopefully worth their while. I'll be putting out my feeder after this week to be sure to welcome them back. Some say a little early but I don't want them to miss my house as their refuge.

Craig's Bird 5x7

On a birding trip to Costa Rica my sister-in-law saw many beautiful hummingbirds among others. With her camera at hand she and fellow travelers caught some great images. The Black-Crested Couquette, their trip leader Craig's favorite. Thanks to Hen and Rose Shea for sharing their photos

Paradise in Costa Rica 5x7 

"Life is Better in a Herd"

Adorable Angora-Emma 5x7 

I think we could all agree with Magic Willow Alpacas motto. Here's a few more glimpses into the family farm over in Hartford, Wisconsin.

Proud as a Peacock 8x10

Riddlers' Puzzling Pose 8x10

I think it would be nice to have all these fellow creatures around to talk to and care for.


By the way, Dr. Doolittle books were a favorite growing up.












This pose of Riddler was chosen by Becky of Magic Willow Alpacas because of the most unusual way he is lying down.

I'm sure she sees a lot more of their unique personalities around the farm.



















The above three paintings will join the others soon. Hopefully I'll be able to visit in person this time.

Magic Act-8x10

Trouble 8x10

Part of the Pack 5x7

Trouble's Friend 5x7