Day #16 All Up From Here

A friend of mine took took a heron photo several years ago and as soon as I saw it I wanted to paint it.  He gave me his permission but somehow I never found time until I accepted the challenge of 30 paintings in 30 days. If I felt intimidated before by this design, I know I was crazy to attempt it with my left hand...but fools rush in. Besides I have a heron holding a lotus (statute) in my yard. and there is something about the duo that appeals.

I actually could not complete this in one day because the necessity of layering the dark areas meant a lot of time spent waiting for paint to dry before the next layer could go on.  Too wet and you end up lifting it off.

A helpful painting tip is to turn everything upside down so that your brain sees 'shapes' instead of 'things' it might remember how to paint.  In my case, I often have to turn the painting around and upside down just because some directions of brush movement are easier that way with my left hand.

I'm calling it done here.  It is so easy to get lost in the tiniest of details and working on a small piece, 7" x 5," seems to call for more little details than if I were painting it larger.  And just so you know, I discovered that in the Chinese culture (where the lotus symbol is very important) if a heron is painted with a lotus it means "May Your Path Be Ever Upward."  What a lovely thought.  Not certain if this is a baby heron or an egret but regardless I think Hershel the photographer should take it as a divine sign that he came upon this scene in the woods and was able to capture it.

If you wish to share this blessing with someone, you can purchase the painting here.  It comes matted to a size of 10 x 8 and can be shipped wherever you choose.  Just this month the 30 in 30s are only $30 + shipping.

and P. S. to Hershel - don't go comparing the painting to your photo!  I do not project my drawings and I take plenty of liberties with color and composition....because I can: I am an artist and I am a woman.