pygmy owl

pygmy owl
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

this is my latest little painting. well, not SO little, it's 8 x 8" and i am so happy with how it came out. such a cunning little fellow, all surrounded by leaves and autumn colors.

with fall winter can't be far behind so i have started doing a little holiday shopping. i love shopping on line and supporting artists! This is where I've been shopping so far this year:
Etsy
Boy Girl Party
Papaya Art

next up I think might be Jill Bliss

I will also be giving books and CDs! Some of my favorite places to shop for those are:
CD Baby
and
Powells

I will let you know about more favorites in days to come!

the little owl is available in my Etsy Shop.

little bird

little bird
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

I have so many art ideas now and not enough time! though I guess that is better than the opposite. Here is how I finished up the little bird I posted when it was in progress.

Most of my pieces seem to have a mind of their own - to a certain degree. and I guess it's my job to get out of the way and maybe not over think things. My friend Kathy said she thinks that is why I like to listen to audio books while I paint - to shut my little whirring brain off, or at least slow it down. distract it. I like the idea of being a vessel for art.

I started an 8 x 8" painting last night that I thought was going to be blue, purple, and brown, but it immediately insisted on being green and brown, and when you're going with watercolor instead of oil or acrylic you can't just do EVERYTHING over, so i needed to sort of coax the purple into getting alone with the green.

i think it's going to be an art weekend, we'll see what I get done.

Rose and Redbird

Rose and Redbird
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

this little creature is on etsy.

Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark.”

--Rabindranath Tagore

more watercolors

more watercolors
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

this little bird is my new favorite thing ever! but it's not done yet. I am fighting a nasty cold so I may not get any art time today. I just wanted to share an in-progress picture! i think this is the start of a new series.

watercolors in progress

watercolors in progress
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

i can't sleep so you get another blog post. not that i have much to say! i am still working with blues and brilliant warm colors but yesterday i threw some vibrant spring greens into the mix. and then last night - you don't get to see this yet - i was working in brown and grey and blue and am still excited about the results.
current things inspiring me:

birds
leaves
autumn
peterson's field guilds to birds
insect art of christpher marley

and some blue..

IMG_0785
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

well, i've been using a lot of warm colors lately, magenta, fuchsia, scarlet, orange, and warm purples. but i've also been using blues, greens, and cool purples. i love how this cobalt pops against magenta!


and a quote:

“I am as curious about color as one would be visiting a new country, because I have never concentrated so closely on color expression. Up to now I have waited at the gates of the temple.”

Henri Matisse

Enchanted Glade

Enchanted Glade
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

i finished this painting! it took me a week - and i was painting most of the time i was awake and not at work. i am happy with this, but the things i am working on now are not as bright. i've switched over to a cooler color scheme - blues, greens, and browns mostly. well, so far. it is quite possible some more colors will creep in there when i am not looking!