Personal Art Blog

Sharing the lessons I teach at the Artist Guild and the personal discoveries in my art.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Avian Architecture



















Windblown

9x12in  egg tempera   For sale through the gallery*

Phew - it is over. Life will resume its normal flow.
First, I need to thank some people.
I had a wonderful friend drive 500 miles RT to come and
take care of the meals for several days. Her name is Pam Cox
and she deserves a friendship gold medal!
She happens to be a gourmet cook so good food
was plentiful. Thank you very much, Pam.
Another friend made me some fabulous postcards with images on them
to hand out. This was managed during a difficult time for her.
A big thank you to Marjorie Van Dormolen.
Lindy Bridgers made 4 dozen nests from chocolate covered rice noodles
and popped a little candy egg in the center. What a wonderful friend.
Lisa Kubiak gave me a gorgeous necklace made by a local artist of a
silver nest with three pearls. Perfect for the opening and lots of
admiring comments were given. Thank you Lisa.
My wonderful daughter who gave me valuable critiques drove in
as did son #1 and my darling goddaughter.
A huge thank you of course to Gail, Mark and Max at the gallery. They
had wonderful refreshments and champagne. The show was hung beautifully.
They kept their cool right up to the last minute delivery of
a huge wet painting. Great people.

Thursday, May 2nd was my opening reception.
The invitation was large at  6x8in  (first class postage!)
I used the photo (below) of some of my nests and you can see a
couple of my paintings - in both the top corners.
I did a large ard so it would get noticed between the junk mail.



Artist Note

I had no idea how the public would react to a show strictly on bird nests,
but it turned out that it was a very popular theme.
The show was a collection from three years of painting these amazing
avian structures, strictly for personal pleasure. I enjoy building them
with paint the way the birds do using different materials. It is a puzzle
why I respond to nests so emotionally, but I truly do. I can clearly remember
trying to draw one I could see from the window when I was about 6.
The bird was not as fascinating as the nest and it is still the same today.

Some of my first paintings on this blog were several
of the nests included in the show.
Below are a few wonderful nests from my collection - the one in the
painting above them is a Sandhill Crane Nest. 48x36in














Tomorrow I will show some of the watercolors I did.

My last thank you is for my supportive group of blogging friends.
I have missed you and I am looking forward to trolling
to see what you all have been up to.

*M Phillips Gallery phone number
575-525-1367


40 comments:

  1. Hello dear Julie! How much superb Art work and how many activities! Everything is possible for you through your exceptional Art of painting and the Art of human relationship. The organizational talent and the support of friends... they let in a relative short time, something that, only to be read, it seems to me a very huge range of activities! I wish you wonderful days and joyful relax!

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    1. Nice to read your beautiful words dear Rita. I visited your amazing blog and love what you are painting. I can tell you are loving it too

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  2. You sound like you have some very special friends and family. Good luck with your endeavours. The nests are so different it's no wonder they were popular.

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    1. I do feel blessed. I think we all are. .. Don't you?
      What's the weather like over there?

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  3. Wonderful family, friends, and gallery showing. It was definitely worth all the work you put into it too.

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    1. Thanks Sherry, it was more work than I expected. I did managed to add a variety of paintings but what with teaching and organizing a show for the Guild at the same time, it nearly did me in. I do have a sense of accomplishment over the success of it all though.
      It was fun catching up with your blog.

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  4. This sounds like such a successful event! And with a great cast of supporting friends! Good for you:) I must have missed the specific theme though which is a good one. Looking forward to the photos:)

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    1. Thanks Libby. It was fun and successful but after such a focus of time and energy I rather like this lighthearted feeling I woke up to this morning. I enjoyed seeing the wonderful figurative paintings you have been doing. on Avian Architecture

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  5. Yippie! You're back on line, you have been missed! What a wonderful theme for a show, the paintings are superb and I have no doubt it was a fabulous success. Congratulations!

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    1. How nice you are - thanks!
      Yes, I am basking in the glow, so to speak.
      Hubby is thrilled to "have me back."
      Your painting of the dogs has so much movement and is quite wonderful.

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  6. I too love bird nests and have a few, but where to store them seems to be a problem--any suggestions? Your painting is beautiful--looking forward to more. Congratulations on your show! Welcome back!

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    1. Glad to hear you love bird nests too, Judy. The Victorians also loved them and kept them under magnificent glass domes, but a plexi-glass case is fine. For small you can buy the plastic glass for picture frames at Michaels or Hobby Lobby and glue them together like a fish tank and turn them upside down so the dust does not get in..larger have the sheet cut at Home depot.I keep them all out in my studio because I love to just look at them.
      Your peppers are a lovely color combination together and your rushing river piece really caught my eye.

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  7. wow! missed you while you were gone - thought about you today as a matter of fact! great artwork!

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    1. Just got back from your blog. Unique and creative. You give me a lift every time I visit. Thanks for missing me - I missed you too!

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  8. Lovely subject-lovely paintings. I didn't know you did egg tempera. You are multi-talented!! Congratulations on your show.

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    1. Hi Stephanie - thanks for the lovely comment. I did egg tempera for years before my eyes went into old-age mode. I have huge floaters so the detail becomes stressful. I love the medium so much I teach it and it keeps me connected. I do about two or three a year.
      They are precious and I charge more for them than my oil paintings because they are a pleasure to keep if they do not sell.
      I enjoyed seeing your blog. You are like me you can do different techniques for different subject matter. I really liked your abstract and textural pieces.

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  9. Welcome back Julie, have really missed you.
    I love your the paintings of birds nests. It was a surprise, but a pleasant one. I am not sure, but I was so expecting to see large fracturing paintings. But that is what is so wonderful about your paintings, you always do unexpected things.
    If you are anything like me, I think this subject gives you the opportunity to do something that you like, you do well and you can take it in many directions.

    Once again you inspire me, almost want to try out birds nests.

    Hug
    Roger

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  10. Good to hear from you Roger. I really hope you do try painting a nest because I can see it painted in/with your unique voice.
    My suggestion is to find a real one to paint first so you get to understand them - then you can do your magic.
    I did fracture a couple of the nests but they were the latest ones.
    The delight of a series is the exploration in all medias.
    It was a real pleasure to catch up on your blog.

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  11. Julie - I do so hope you will show more of your bird nest art...I love them... so glad you are back and hopefully you can enjoy some great down time. The painting in Egg tempera is lovely. Nature certainly has so much to inspire and your work shows it off so well my friend. Have a great day.

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    1. Thanks Debbie, I did visit your blog and enjoyed the beautiful photos and sentiments very much. Every time I tried to leave a message the box would not open. I tried yesterday to do my blog but it would not open either so I think it is this computer. Will try the one at work today.
      Love the one on your journal.

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  12. Good to see you again Julie ! Opening your blog again with a spectacular birds nest, what an amazing work ! I love birds nests too, but I would never venture into painting one :-))

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    1. I loved seeing your blog again too, Jane. The flowers are lovely but my eye was caught and held by the teapots!

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  13. All's right with the world now. I can have my tea and read your blog Julie. It is nice to have that show off your back isn't it? I've enjoyed a week before getting back to painting. My show is doing well and I KNOW, your is fabulous.

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    1. What a lovely thing to say - thanks, Blanche.
      Yesterday was a true unwinding day. My hubby and I went to the movies. It seemed like another world! Glad your show is doing well.
      My opening was beyond what I could have hoped for and I am over the moon.

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  14. You are blessed with wonderful friends and family. Welcome back. Great work and nice to relax now, yes? I am still in marketing up to my ears!

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    1. Hi Helen - so many artists are taking the marketing ideas. Quite wonderful. I so admire Leslie's Saeta's drive and sharing. She will personally be responsible for the advancement of many, many careers.
      Yours too!
      I enjoyed having a choice today on your blog. You have a great teacher

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  15. Your show sounds so wonderful and I know people must be enjoying all of your nest paintings, like this gorgeous piece. Love the violet with the sienna and umber tones- great color sense!

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    1. Hi Mary - that is an extra FABULOUS painting on today's blog. Congrats.. I have no idea what happened to my comment at the end of it though. sorry.
      Thanks for liking this painting.

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  16. Welcome back Julie!! Your birds nest paintings are wonderful, what a great subject!! I love them. I have missed seeing all your lovely work!

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    1. Hi Karen - thanks for your lovely comment. You have made a great "badge" and I signed up!

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  17. what a great theme for a show~ wow! I love the painting and the beautiful promotional card. Congratulations!

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    1. Hi Celeste - I am full of admiration for your energy in getting a show with 28 wonderful pieces and still do your blog at the same time. Good for YOU!
      You are generous about my painting. Thanks.

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  18. Welcome back dear Julie! You have been missed!!! I think bird nests are a lovely subject for a show and I am not surprised they were received well. Now kick your feet up for a while and enjoy some much deserved rest after your flurry of hard work.

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    1. You are supremely supportive, dear Lisa, in so many ways and I really appreciate your kind heart.
      Love your hubby for insisting you get a Proper Easel! You are worth it. I love the painting you show on it. Cannot wait to see it finished.
      Have been resting but yesterday, computer problems starting rearing their ugly heads.

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  19. I was so pleased to open my email and see you are back blogging. Love your nests! Just lovely!

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    1. Thanks Lavon. I am happy you like it.
      Would you believe another Lavon came to the show. Such an unusual name.
      Hope you are painting up a storm. Wish you would get a blog going.

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  20. Congratulations again on a great and very successful show, Julie!!

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    1. Thanks Bill. Thank YOU for coming. Your support meant a lot.
      When are you having one?

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  21. Sounds like it was wonderful!! Is there anything your not amazing at? Congratulation on a wonderful show! Now rest. : )

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  22. These works are so beautiful & intriguing! This is a show I'd LOVE to get to see in person!

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I love that you are taking the time to comment and thank you for it. I am sure other readers will enjoy them too. If you cannot comment through this format then email me at juliefordoliver@gmail.com
Cheers,
Julie