Personal Art Blog

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

Monday, May 4, 2015

Blue Jay Nest...and more


Blue Jay Nest

6x8in egg tempera on gesso board SOLD

Artist Note.

Roses to nests -
what a juxtaposition!
This is an egg tempera which is 
one of my all time favorite medias. 
It lends itself to very detailed imagery
which you can see here.
I rarely do any egg tempera paintings
any more, 
but treasure it when I do.
This was painted for a couple who
appreciate my egg tempera paintings.

Why Nests?
I cannot explain it, but
I paint nests out of a deep
personal need to explore these
fascinating pieces of 
avian architecture
and it has been an
enduring passion for many years.

I want to share 
some of the collection that I have in my 
own little gallery here on 
Main Street in Las Cruces.

(click to enlarge.)
Below are feathers, eggs and small nests

I have tall branches to display some nests 
in a natural looking way.


I mix some of my sketches and watercolors
in the display. A friend brings in small 
beautifully carved birds to stay for a while


...like this Baltimore oriole, below, next to 
his hanging pouch nest


None of these nest paintings are for sale 
because I found I missed them too much
when they all sold in my last exhibit.
Notice the little humming bird nest
still attached to the branch on lower left.
They take a spider web thread and use it to 
attach the nest firmly to the branch.
Brilliant!


The large egg below is a goose egg, and
twice the size of a chicken egg.
it gives you some idea of the scale of these nests.





38 comments:

  1. Your nest is beautiful. We find them interesting too. My grandson was always so curious about them when we found them. He was surprised to find that when we opened the bird house to remove the old nest that it was square inside and not a round nest but in the trees they build them round. That's when he was little.

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  2. Hi Carol, its not only your grandson - I also love the way a nest follows the contours of the surrounding support. Usually their actual nesting egg place is round within the outer shape. I have three small squared ones with round centers. Love 'em.
    Your squirrel is an absolute delight. It is like he is saying...here's looking at you kid!

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  3. Dear Julie - Thank you so much for sharing your lovely displays. You are a woman after my own heart because I so love nests and birds. Your love and passion for these symbols of life come across in your art my friend. Isn't the hummingbird nest just amazing... Take care and have a delightful day. You made mine special. Hugs!

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    1. Hi Debbie, Thanks for such a lovely comment. So pleased we share a love of the nests and birds. I see from your post today we share a love of painting flowers...and frisbee dogs!

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  4. Wow Julie, what a post! That is such a beautiful way to display your nests, they sit so nicely with your gorgeous artwork...would love to visit your gallery, alas, you are on the other side of the world...sigh :)

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    1. Thanks, Leesa - distance is a problem, but I feel we visit anyway.
      Congratulations of your huge award. Good for you! I love the image.
      I have enjoyed seeing your explorations and appreciate your sharing on your blog.

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    2. I ADORE YOUR ART... and now I see you collect bird nests !! I do too....I am in Delaware.....and part of a plein arire painting group......such fun ! best regards....keep painting...you inspire me ! xo Sheila ps I am a young 70 ~~ enrolled in university at 46 for art education & fine arts....that was thrilling..now exhibiting statewide....after 20 teaching children teens adults and seniors.....

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  5. Thank you, Julie, for the taking the time to compose such a wonderful blog post. I enjoyed every word; the photos were a bonus!

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    1. Thanks Chris and I recommend your informative post on how to posterize a photo to make it the perfect Notan. It helped me a lot.

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  6. What a beautiful painting...and so fun to see the display in your gallery. Anyone can tell that you have a deep affinity for all the feathered creatures.... Just lovely!

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    1. Hi Celeste - I am happy to hear my true interest came through. Thanks.
      Your powerful image for the cover of your sketchbook is fabulous. Strong - makes a statement. Thanks for the visit.

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  7. Wow! Julie, Your collection and display of nests is simply brilliant. I love it! and a beautiful painting.. Your nest paintings are always stunning.
    PS - I am really bummed that I will be out of town when you visit Portland in June(I am gone all of June and July). I would have loved to meet you in person.

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    1. Thanks for the lovely comment and I am sorry I will miss meeting you.
      I Like your house with car and still life paintings you have posted. Your transparent shadows are quite wonderful in the still lifes.

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  8. Another stunning painting, Julie! I am lost in the eggs; just beautiful! And quite honestly, I thought this was a photograph. You continue to leave me in awe and I love seeing a bit of your gallery!

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    1. Hi Sherry - I love your new paintings and am so happy to see you back to your art after such an ordeal.

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  9. The whole arrangement is just wonderful, Julie. Your passion for this subject (the structures and all of the relating imagery) is very obvious in your finished pieces. It's nice to see things all together like that.

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    1. A real complement from someone I consider a master of design. Thank you, Libby.
      Your Avery inspiration is marvelous.

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  10. Lovely painting.

    Fascinating to see the collection. Great you can keep them together.

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    1. You should see the other part of the collection in my home studio - the more precious ones are there.
      I enjoyed seeing your wonderful figurative line work. So powerful! You know the figure so well and it comes across as fluid and confident. I would love to be able to do that.

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  11. Julie, looks to me like you are back and better than ever.

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    1. Thanks, Polly. I am doing better. ..but not back to where I was. I have been diligently working though. This is a "comfort" piece. Safe territory!
      Your "Google Eyes" cow made my day!

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  12. dear Julie, your nests are all, unique works.
    They speak of something "suspended" between reality, fantasy, emotion and mystery.
    You paint the cycle of life through signs that can be received from the viewer in many different ways.
    See now how you have really close to you the nests, in this gallery is almost a surprise touching.
    I thought you cared your nest as collections of objects, as do artists I knew, stored in cabinets or shelves.
    So I see that you keep alive these nests, with you, in a totally different way.
    Your link with the world of the nests is really deep and different, and explains why you can convey so much pathos to your avian works.
    Your latest work with egg tempera is true wonderful to see in photos, but I believe that, from life, should be even better for the characteristics of this ancient so precious technique that most of all, seems to defy centuries, remaining intact.
    Llucky owners and heirs!

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    1. Hi dear, Rita. Thank you for the thoughtful comment. I, too, know collectors who store in cabinets, but it never occurred to me to hide them from view. Just never thought of it that way before you said it. I am so pleased you like the egg tempera because you are from a country with a grand tradition of this wonderful ancient medium. As you said - precious technique.
      I have to say I loved visiting your blog and seeing the wonderful sunflowers you painted.. Thanks for sharing info about the new Derwent product.

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  13. What a mind-blowing and varied display of beautiful and fascinating homes built by the owners themselves. It just is almost beyond imagining that these little creatures construct such a well-planned and well-built nest from found materials they themselves have gathered. Your display shows the delightful variations each species has made for their own needs, and I imagine it's very popular with everyone who sees it! Your beautiful artwork, the eggs, feathers and carvings all add to the wonder of it all!

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    1. Thank you Carol and yes...it has turned out to be very popular. The men especially take the time to look while their wives look at art. I have noticed it is the women who bring me nests, eggs or feathers though when they find them so they really are looking at everything!
      Your new blossom painting is a masterpiece.

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  14. Just last weekend we found the remnants of a little blue egg on the ground...and spotted a nest in the cedar tree next to my window. Little ones are beginning to hatch out! Loved seeing this painting...I'm always amazed at those who are able to use egg tempera so well! I've never had the nerve to try it!

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    1. I have been spotting fragments of eggs all over the place so lucky you spotting a blue one. Hatching time with spring winds brings all types of wonders.
      Egg tempera is totally absorbing - unique.

      I applaud your participation in the show honoring the mothers/parents of
      the missing children. A very moving post.

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  15. Fabulous painting and display. One day I hope to visit.

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    1. Hi Sea - thanks - I would love that - be great to meet.
      Love your cosmos but really do appreciate the post on paint and what it is made from. I followed the link to the brands I use. Fascinating info.

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  16. So lovely, as your nests always are!!! I love seeing the things that inspire other artists. Thanks for sharing your beautiful collection of natural beauty!

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    1. Thanks, Kim. Glad you enjoyed it.
      CONGRATULATIONS - prize and signature member. Wow.

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  17. A very original collection and passion ! I would so much love to see how you DO these nests , just can't figure it out . Looks so complicated and the result is always stunning !

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    1. Lovely comment, Jane thank you. And I would love to know how you paint the faces you do with those EYES! Mutual admiration...
      love your roses too!

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  18. I love all your nests but this one is really unique. The pattern and the colors are so outstanding...the blue eggs pop right out with the perfect shading inside the nest Amazing piece Julie!!

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    1. You have a good eye, Hilda, this one is more developed. It is the nature of the egg tempera which allows for layering without disturbing the underneath.
      You are such a good artist it makes me proud of the great comment...made me feel so good.
      Love your new portrait. Outstanding. The texture of his beard is amazing.

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  19. Your knowledge and love of the subject just shines through! this is one of the stand outs in your next series and they're all just so so good

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  20. This is such an intimate painting, born of all your love and knowledge of the nests and painting. It really is a unique and outstanding thing. Profoundly moving to me.

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  21. Your nest paintings are as exquisite as the nests themselves. What a beautiful exhibit too. There is something very special about birds and the way they build their nests. Wouldn't it be neat to see one built from start to finish? To be able to follow the bird from place to place and see each little twig she chooses for her babes? I found a bird nest the other day and thought of you immediately. It was not in good shape though or I would have sent it to you.

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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