Harbinger Of Spring?

Hungry Robin, oil on 6 x 6 x 1.5" wrapped canvas, ©2014, Fay Terry

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We still have our snow and it is fun, but I did a double take when I saw on my phone that the temperature at 6:30 this morning was 2 degrees!  It did get up to thirty-five today, but I think the schools will be closed again tomorrow since the backroads are still icey.

I saw a large group of Robins that seemed to arrive all at once a few days before the snow came and they were searching in the grass for food but now everything is covered with ice and snow so they are crowding around the birdfeeders as are all the other little birds.

On another note, the Tarheels traveled to Atlanta and beat Georgia tech last night. (Go Heels!) They had a difficult trip and ended up riding MARTA and then walking six blocks to their hotel, arriving at 1:45 am, on the day of the game. That seems very minor, though, compared to what many people went through in Atlanta. 

Snowy Day

Yummy Suet Cake, 6 x 6 " oil on panel, ©2014, Fay Terry

$75 special offer

In celebration of the beautiful snow that fell here last night and draped everything in an amazing soft powdery blanket, I am taking 25% off the regular price of today's painting. I photographed this bird outside my kitchen window yesterday morning while there was a nonstop progression of hungry birds.

Just For Fun

Just Beachy, 8 x 8 " oil on cradled panel, 2014, Fay Terry

I am thinking about the beach today when we expect to get our first snow of the year, maybe as much as five inches. It is very cold but I am excited about the prospect of snow and I already see a few flakes. Maybe  it's wishful thinking, but I am hoping to see everything covered in white by tomorrow morning.

Most of the southeast is under a winter storm warning.

I already put bowls out to catch snow for snow cream and have made a big pot of soup. This is a rare occasion where I live.

Boats

Bright Boats, 12 x 16 " oil on canvas, ©2014, Fay Terry

I have worked on this painting since my recent post of the first version. I decided to change and improve it so that it would have more of a sunlit look. I made the middle values darker and strengthened the shadows inside the boats. It was a challenge, but I know it will help me with the future boat paintings I am looking forward to doing. I hope to paint this scene again on a larger canvas. 

This one is being donated to the O'Neal School annual silent auction, which is always in February. 

Bright Fruit

Where's The Tea?, 6 x 6 " oil on panel, ©2014, Fay Terry

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I had fun painting bright colors today. I am using up some tubes of paint that I don't normally have on my palette, such as cobalt violet, which I bought for a workshop years ago.

I have tea on my mind because I promised myself a cup as soon as I posted this and then I am heading back into my studio for more painting.

Almost Time for Flowers

Forced Forsythia, 6 x 6 " oil on panel

I wish I could say that my Forsythia is in bloom but it's not yet.  This is from last year

when I brought some in the house so it would open more quickly. As soon as I see the buds I cut lots of branches and put them in vases. It always amazes me how quickly they open and create the atmosphere of early spring indoors.

All Tied Up

 Boat In Cassis, 16 x 20" oil on canvas, ©, Fay Terry

These are some boats that I would love to paint again and probably will soon. It is not easy to find harbor scenes that are as uncrowded as this one was. I loved painting the beautiful color of the water.

Have a great week-end!

Chasing Spring

Sheep In Spring, 6 x 6 " oil on panel, ©2014, Fay Terry

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I love seeing farm animals when the first warm weather arrives after winter. They always seem to be as happy as I am to be enjoying the warm sunshine. I keep finding sheep photos that I had taken a long time ago and can't resist painting them.

My friend and fellow blogger Sharon Graves knows a lot about sheep and goats from firsthand experience raising them on the farm she and her husband have in Kentucky. She also grows beautiful flowers and does all kinds of creative things besides painting.  Check out her blog here.  Sharon is doing the 30 paintings in thirty days challenge being hosted this month by Leslie Saeta. She is one of the many bloggers who keep me going with their support.

Colorful Cat

Max, 5 x 7 " oil on panel, ©2014, Fay Terry

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This is today's painting which I did for this week's Daily Paintworks Challenge, "The Creative Color Challenge". It was posted by my friend Patti Vincent to test the theory that value (darkness and lightness of shapes) is more important than color. We know that to be true but it's a good truth to practice. You still think "cat" even though the colors are playful.

Thank you for coming up with this idea for the challenge, Patti. I had fun with it and really enjoyed painting your dear Max.

Rowboats

Summer Boats, 12 x 16" oil on canvas,©2014, Fay Terry

This was a fun subject to paint on a winter day. I want to make the water a bit darker and a couple of other minor tweaks but I am happy with  this result. It's definitely time to work on some new paintings to take to my galleries at the beach.