Wild Things Artwork |
| "Who Goes There?" |
18"H x 24"W Pastel on Ampersand Pastelbord. "Who Goes There?" was juried into the 59th Exhibition 2009, Florida Artist Group (FLAG), The Amory Art Center, West Palm Beach, FL. <BR
This green heron is the same as the one in "Palm Perch." The abstract quality of the palm fronds falling away from the trunk of the tree, with the green heron nestled in the midst of all those fronds, is a compelling visual for me -- sufficiently compelling that I wanted to paint it again.
In this pastel version, I set out to utilize a greater range of values, as well as to provide a more dimensionally dynamic piece. The palm fronds display a multitude of subtle color variations, although they are basically pale in comparison to the heron, with its rich dark greens, blues, and "English" red. I used layers of cool blues for the sky to contrast with the warmer general hue of the palm frond, which then contrasts to the cool dark coloration of the heron.
The green heron is typically seen in this bunched up, bullet shape when it is perched. Here, he is closely watching a potential meal in the water down below him. One would never imagine what a long, skinny neck these birds have until you see one take off after a "meal."