Friday, September 4, 2009

New work in progress - hummingbird


I'm working on a very large, (relatively speaking) hummingbird painting right now. This is 18 x 24 inch, acrylic on canvas.

I'm blessed to have many hummingbirds visit my feeder every day in the summer to early fall. There's one female in particular who sometimes hovers within arms reach of me, seeming quite curious. I love them so much! I want this painting to capture the way they make me feel when I see them, their energy, and the joy they share freely to anyone who cares to stop and look.

14 comments:

Kimberly said...

Hi Kathleen...
I had one of these little gems say good morning to me yesterday....it buzzed down in my face from no where....moved up to stare me down from above then took off. My silver hair was reflecting the morning sun...must have caught it's eye.
Can't wait to see your painting finished, so far it's beautiful.
Have a great weekend, Kimberly

Sarah Sullivan said...

Oh Kathleen...that is just stunning! Wow and huge - I love that!!! As always your work is divine!!! Can't wait to see it complete!! Wow girl!!
Have a wonderful weekend, Sarah

Claudia Finn said...

This is just beautiful, I love to learn from Works in progress!!

Mona Diane Conner said...

what a lovely beginning, and typical Kathleen-style for how you are painting the energy of the bird first! I could almost see it as a study where you foreground the surrounds and leave the bird a la silhouette like this except for details of head and wing.

artbyakiko said...

Hi Kathleen. What a great start! I can see this humming bird is surrounded by beautiful flowers. Very magical. I love it.

Unknown said...

Your last humming bird was beautiful, im sure this will be wonderful too! Looking great with those colours

Caroline said...

Oops I must have forgotten to press publish cos I was here but there's no comment. Sorry Kathleen! This painting looks like it will be a real winner. So beautiful - what I would give to have these little fellows in my garden!

Jennifer MacNeill said...

Gorgeous Kat, you know how I adore my hummers too:)
The females seem the most curious here too.

Julia Guthrie said...

Oh Kat, this one looks beautiful already! :)
I love hummingbirds, but we dont get them here.

Grahame Butler said...

This is beautiful Kathleen, love the use of colour,

Kelley Carey MacDonald said...

I always feel, I don't know, kind of blessed when I'm visited (my garden, I mean) by hummingbirds. You are doing a fantastic job with this piece. How DO you get the washy feeling with acrylic paint? I just stumbled upon this blog and I have to tell you I LOVE it. I'll definitely bookmark you and be back!

Kathleen Coy said...

Thanks everyone!

Hi Kelley, thanks for your comments on my blog and kind words! I'm kind of experimenting here with the 'washy look' with acrylics. I'm actually using a spray bottle with water. I've done it before, but not to this extreme. It's looking thin in places so I will keep experimenting and probably build up more layers. I might try using some rubbing alcohol too, as I've read it gives a similar effect.

Take care,
Kathleen

Dean Grey said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dean Grey said...

Kathleen!

This hummingbird is off to a strong start!

Full of color and life. The bird looks proud, almost happy.

Your love for hummingbirds is most definitely shining through in this piece!

-Dean