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The Bird Man

3/31/2019

8 Comments

 
"The Bird Man" - mixed media on cradled wood panel, 12" x 24" x 1.75".  Ready to hang. Available here and at Artfinder.

The studio kids are running amok once more.  This time the birds are flying flocking flapping all around and leaving little poops all over the art supplies.  Thank goodness the bird man appeared to engage their interest while I cleaned up behind them!

This piece began as a life drawing.  The scheduled model was quite late one evening, so the facilitator, a sweet older guy, got up onto the platform and became our stand-in model for part of the session.  In this pose, he was actually holding a long bamboo pole (a prop often used by the models).  But something about his stoop, bent knees and hanging head demanded a very different setting.  

Once you've grabbed the perfect one minute gesture on paper, it is quite challenging to recreate it in all its perfectness.  This week's experiment was in making the original sketch a piece of collage adhered to the wood panel, and jumping off into the composition from there.  The wood surface is ideal for this application, as a brayer and some matte medium will give a smooth result.
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The Bird Man
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Here in the PNW, spring has rocketed into view.  I didn't know we even had neighbors during the dark, drizzly months when Pongo dragged us out for walks.  We had the streets almost all to ourselves. But this weekend, every yard was being carefully tended, planted, weeded, trimmed and readied for the season.  Here, where front yards are not grass, but are vegetable gardens, certified natural habitats and art installations, it is a bit exciting to see who is doing what and where.

While I have dreams of a two story metal welded dragon climbing the side our our house (hey hubs, if you are reading this, hint hint), I will settle (for now) for this little bell dragon on our fence post.  He was a recent find at a vintage store, and reminds me of the larger versions we saw in Italy last summer.  What do you think - will he frighten away prowlers?

This week's giveaway is still in progress!  Thanks to EVERYONE who has participated so far!  Want to join in the fun?

If you're reading this blog and are not a subscriber, sign up (right column under "Subscribe to My Blog Posts") and you'll be entered in a drawing for a high quality giclee print!  If you are already a subscriber, share this blog with others on Facebook and tag me to be entered as well.  If you newly subscribe AND share on Facebook, your name will be entered twice!  The winner will be announced in next Wednesday's blog post.  Thanks for your support!
8 Comments
Dotty Seiter link
3/31/2019 08:03:46 pm

Jen! Birds are such wonderful friends! Had to laugh that your post evoked cherished memories of our parakeet Kapiti—just the best earring-nibbling incessantly-chatting shoulder-riding friend I could ever have hoped for (little poops included)!

Love the Bird Man! Love your dragon!

And spring : )

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jen
4/1/2019 11:11:29 am

Dotty, I keep returning to the birds. Little friends everywhere. My current bird friend is an injured crow who comes to the front door each morning for handouts. Who can resist?

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Carolyn L
3/31/2019 10:24:35 pm

YES, he had to be feeding birds, not holding a pole!! Perfect scenario! Love this little man feeding the birds! I like your dragon bell, too!

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jen
4/1/2019 11:12:22 am

Hooray! Thank you Carolyn! It's so funny when one pose becomes something else...and then you cannot imagine it was ever the previous thing! I can only see him feeding birds now. :)

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Carol Edan link
4/1/2019 09:02:13 am

What a great idea collaging a drawing and working from there. Wow, birds and queens and who know of any others in your studio. Hope they leave some room for you! We often did 5-10 minute poses at workshop! Great practice! Love the faces on those birds!

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jen
4/1/2019 11:13:18 am

Carol! Short poses are my favorites. It is impossible to overwork them (which happens to me with a longer pose). Thank you...these little odd birds make me smile!

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Susan McClellan
4/1/2019 12:52:16 pm

Oh love the bird man...what a great idea for those sketches we learn so much from in life drawing....and i love the dragon....absolutely if i were a potential robber i would be afraid or i would want to conquer climbing up on the dragon for poses or selfies!! good distraction!!

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jen
4/1/2019 01:00:52 pm

yahoooo! Thank you, Susan! Dragon selfies....if only we could get a dragon to pose for life drawing....

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Here's the blue wild, where
tiny dreamers ride beasts, speak
​ birdsong, hold the moon.

(by poet Mary W. Cox)
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​Art prints available on request
  • Home
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