Monday, January 18, 2010

...and a Cardinal in a Green Tree.


...and a Cardinal in a Green Tree, acrylic/collage, 6 x 6, by Elizabeth W. Seaver

And I'm away on a flurry of creative activity hoping to have at the end of it a show to hang at a local venue in June and July.

This has as its foundation, a wooden box panel, 3/4 " wide.  I wrapped it with a map and then covered the map almost entirely with my little bitty block prints.  The tree appeared as I looked at the darks in the back ground, and I pulled the shape out with brush work.

It needed a bird, of course.  I was lucky one flew by.

One down, 25 to go....

19 comments:

RH Carpenter said...

25 to go? Oh, that's a lot of pressure. Glad I just get to see the fun part and the beautiful trees take shape...wonder what other critters will be added as you go along? Perhaps a kitty at the bottom of one? Or other birds? I really am enjoying these.

Saundra Lane Galloway said...

Loving these trees Elizabeth!! Wish we were next door neighbors so we could paint together!! PS...the bird makes it!

Diana said...

Yall don't live next door? :)
This one rocks! The bird is pefect.

Kathleen Krucoff said...

So very cool Elizabeth. Love the little red cardinal. Perfect! They were my mom's favorite bird. Sounds like you have a lot of work in front of you, but I'm certain you will do it. You've inspired me to get going with mine work too!

Kerri Settle said...

I'm really liking these! The cardinal is a really nice touch. This one reminds me a bit of a snow storm!

TracyB said...

LOVE the colors & of COURSE, all the wonderful squiggles :)!!

Deborah Younglao, Silk Painter said...

Very clever how you pulled the tree out. And the bird is just the right touch.

Gwen Bell said...

Swirls are my favorite shapes and these are so great. The overlap and the way the color intensity changes with each one keeps it all interesting. That one little red bird brings it all together and makes it so much fun. Love it!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Thanks, Everyone. Your comments keep me going!

RH--I'm trying to think "structure" rather than "pressure!" It helps to have a goal. I'm glad you like my critters.

Saundra, no telling what we'd get up to if we lived next door to each other! Is the world ready?

Diana, you made me chuckle! Thanks for stopping by.

Kathleen, you all always inspire me.

Thanks Kerri, TracyB, Deborah and Gwen. You encourage me that I'm on the right track with this series.

Dave King said...

Truly brilliant. I love that!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Thanks, Dave, for your comment and for stopping by to visit.

I visited your site. Your haikus are lovely.

Celeste Bergin said...

when I was a girl I always considered seeing a cardinal a lucky thing...like if I saw one I would think "something great is going to happen today!" (I think this was my Mother's influence, she had tons of superstitions, not all as positive as that one!) Well, now, because I've seen your cardinal--I know it will be a good day. I love how the spot of red DOES seem very much like a harbinger of joy in this beautiful painting.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Celeste, what a nice story. Thank you so much for telling it.

I did actually have a close encounter with a cardinal hiding in a low cedar tree the other day. He was sitting quietly just inside the shadow of the foliage. It was probably a good thing because had he been in the sun, his brilliant red might have put my eyes out.

Then he found his way into my painting.

ArtSparker said...

Lovely use of pattern.

Anonymous said...

Really loving the swirls Elizabeth!
Thanks for your comment, ain't it the truth ... some canvases need a lot of coaxing!

Connie Chadwell said...

Hi Elizabeth - I love the way the viewer's eye is led through the picture - wonderful value pattern. And cardinals are my favorites - I have a pair that nests in my backyard. I love them and I love this beautiful piece!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Thanks for commenting on my Cardinal and Green Tree, ArtSparker, Maria and Connie. What is it about a spiral that I just love? It speaks to me!

V....Vaughan said...

LOVE these....and thanks for the comment on Velcro :)
Hey, since I can't come to the show, would you mind showing me what you do to finish these that you say aren't finished???
:)

Crazy RAvens Studio said...

Holy rollers, You are into spirals! I really like this little painting. Cardinals are the state bird of Illinois and have always been my favorite. Sadly there aren't any in the Flats. I have to console myself with the Pileated woodpeckers which I like because they look like pterodactyls.