The Raven’s Nest

The Raven’s Nest 

8”x10” cradled panel  $225.  

Purchase HERE

A floater frame is available for this piece. 

Artist Note

This one is an experiment in

mark making. I enjoyed the freedom

of just feeling the paint, 

moving it around and not 

trying for anything other 

than the pleasure of discovery. 

The summer is almost over 

and classes 

begin next week. 

I am looking forward to seeing 

all the artists back in their 

happy place of doing something 

just for themselves. 

White Raven

White Raven

8"x8" Raymar square panel $200.

Purchase HERE

Artist Note. 

As we are not allowed to copy any image

 off the internet, I took a photo of the 

White Ravens

from a video when it was playing.

I am sure you understand that 

it was not crystal sharp so 

this painting was difficult to do.

I abstracted the background and that was fun.

Pleased I managed to get 

something I like.

Still experimenting with the 

different fracturing techniques 

and that keeps me from

stabbing myself with my knife when I 

want to pack it all in!

Grace’s Warbler

Grace's Warbler

6"x6" oil on raymar panel $125.

Purchase HERE

Artist Note

Such a pretty little bird 

and the first time

I saw one, my heart skipped a beat.

They live high up in pine trees 

so you have to be on a cliff

or something high to usually see them.

But guess what...

I saw this little family down 

by the ground at a lake we have

just an hour away, enjoying a bath.

If not for the bright yellow, 

you would never see them 

as their blue gray feathers 

match the color of the sky 

peeking between the pine needles.

I tried to get that feeling of camouflage

in this little square..

Roosting Dove

Roosting Dove

6"x 6" oil on raymar panel $125.SOLD. 

Artist Note

I will be doing birds, nests and related

things until I can get this 

new extension of the 

fracturing technique down.

Experimenting is much easier with

subject matter you know and love.

The white dove is a positive symbol

of kindness, peace and forgiveness

Cannot go wrong with painting 

them so another 

one is bound to end up in the mix.

Western Tanager

Western Tanager

8"x8" oil on Raymar panel $200. SOLD

Artist Note

Isn't nature a marvel? 

The different colors in the avian world

always surprise and delight me...

and I do not live in a tropical place.

This is from a trip to beautiful

Cloudcroft, New Mexico.

Less than a two hour drive from Las Cruces 

and up to an elevation of 9,000ft.

MUCH COOLER temps!

My technique causes a quandary

when  I paint something with 

important details like a bird. 

In my former life as an illustrator

it would be easy to paint every feather,

but I do not want to paint like that anymore

(- in fact it is now impossible.)

So getting the impression 

of a bird in its natural habitat 

requires "suggested" imagery.

Something which I find harder 

but more engrossing to capture.

This from a photo my hostess took.

The nest was not in it...

just a personal love I have for the nests.

Bluebird Of Happiness

Bluebird Of Happiness

6"x 6" oil on gallery wrapped canvas  $135.SOLD

Artist Note

I am so happy, happy to be painting birds,

nests, feathers and eggs.

What could be more appropriate than the 

Bluebird of Happiness!

Painted on a wrapped canvas 

which I do not usually use. 

The sides are painted a dark blue

If interested in the origins of the 

"Happiness" part

 here is a link to a safe site

bluebird of happiness

Steller's Jay

Steller’s Jay
8”x6” oil on Raymar board
Purchase HERE

Artist Note
A visit to Cloudcroft, NM, (9,000ft)
 for a few days last month,
provided the pleasure of seeing
many wonderful Jays.
They flitted between the trees showing off
flashes of their beautiful, blue colors.

Jays love peanuts in the shell
and our host would place them on the deck rail.
They would actually pick and choose,
putting back down ones they didn't want.
It was fun watching them .

I have decided to do a  short "bird series"
and it is helping me get back in the flow and my block.

Due to my painting technique, exact detail
is pretty impossible.  I try for the essence or impression .

I am explaining this because
I have a serious birder who follows my blog.
He posts the most incredible images
taken by Miriam Bauman
I am hooked on his blog and through it  have traveled
and seen the most interesting
and awesome places/things/birds.

Check out his amazing blog link below
if you are a nature lover.

David M. Gascoigne

Anemones

 Anemones. 

11x 14. Oil on ray-mar panel Sold 

Artist Note

A friend heard me 

struggle through my block 

and came to the studio as 

this one was developing. 

She said she liked it. 

When it hit the gallery walls 

she bought it. 

 Happy dance!!

Two Blues

Two Blues
6x6 inch oil on Raymar panel $125 SOLD

Artist Note
I was invited to go to an
artist friend's house to plein air
paint his beautifully blooming plants
and guess what I found I wanted to paint.
Surprise, surprise...a turquoise chair!
(Anyone who knows my work 
will understand.)


He had mixed varying colors
of blue plant containers ranging from
cobalt, teal and turquoise
and it made a stunning display
of surprising harmony.
Very exciting to the eye and heart.

The Water Jug

The Water Jug

8"x10" oil on linen mounted on panel $225.

Purchase HERE

Artist Note

A cause for celebration....

I finished a painting without
scraping it off!

It has been a bummer of a summer 

as far as my painting block goes.
I tried all suggested solutions.

I have enjoyed a couple of trips and not 

having to be in my studio quite as early.
I guess it just takes time.

The 4 week online tutorial I paid so much for 

has not been staying on my computer. 

Cannot find the darned thing.

I have only done two segments 

and cannot get the other two.

The second segment is on automatic
writing/mark making.

That influenced some of the marks here.
I kept doing the spiral of  life
with the charcoal.

It is the first online I have ever done so 

maybe I am doing something wrong.

I am going to persist because I think it is well 

thought out and has been excellent in the 

first two segments.

Will let you know when I know.

I continue to post new and older works
on Instagram where my following
far exceeds Facebook.
Weird when it is the same paintings.
It is also far easier to be able
to reply to their comments
and that adds up - time wise.
My instagram is
juliefordoliverart.

I still post here first though.
Enjoy your week and thank you
for following my blog.