I've used watercolor as my main medium since 2006. Though I had used it in college this is the first time I've fully explored it. I also began using birds as subject matter at the same time. I prefer not to work from photos since there's an incredible loss of connection with the subject matter. I was reminded of this recently while reading "Drawing Birds" by John Busby, 'Lars Jonsson's Birds', and 'The Living Birds of Eric Ennion', also by John Busby. All show the added vitality that is evident in work done from life. Nonetheless most of the work shown here is based on photos that I took. In 2009 I started to do fieldsketches from life and that experience is starting to appear in my watercolors. These paintings evolved over a week or two. Smaller and quicker watercolor sketches can be viewed here.
'Sandhill Cranes and Canada Geese at Horicon Marsh'. Seen at Horicon Marsh in Wisconsin in 2009. 11x14, watercolor.
'Lesser Yellowlegs and Solitary Sandpiper'. Seen at Magee Marsh NWR in Ohio in 2009. 11x14, watercolor.
'Snowy Egret'. Seen at 'The Meadows' in Cape May, NJ in 2009. 11x14, watercolor.
'American Redstart on Nest'. Seen in Shenandoah National Park in 2007. 11x14, watercolor.
Palm Warbler at Oakdale'. Seen at Oakdale Nature Preserve in Freeport, IL in 2008. 11x14, watercolor.
'Greater Blackbacked Gulls'. Seen in Cape May, NJ in 2008. 11x15, watercolor.
'Canada Warblers'. Seen in Shenadoah National Park in 2007. 20x28, watercolor.
'Carolina Wren'. Seen at Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia in 2007. 20x28, watercolor.
'Nine Robins V.4'. Seen in Ken's backyard in 2007. 20x28, watercolor.
