Brande Arno Art

5 x 5 inches, Oil on Gessoboard $ 75. Website Purchase When the weather gets cold, I set up bird feeders and watch how the chickadees do their day's work.   They seem to know that the other birdies of the neighborhood also need to get to the feeder because they take a seed and then fly to a branch to eat it.  Sometimes, they have to wait longer than they should for another turn because the finches like to park at the perch to make piggies of themselves.

Indigo Bunting, 4 x 4 inches, Oil on Board Click to Bid I'm fortunate to have a mated pair of Indigo Buntings visiting my bird feeder.  I say that because I've had the bird feeder for over 10 years and my first sighting was last week.  The male of this species sports stunning ocean blue feathers...some teal in there also. I paint with a very limited palette, so I was challenged to come up with the right mixtures.  But it wasn't very long before I realized that mixing the right "Indigo" color wouldn't be enough.  So I subdued everything else, to include his cute little beak.

5 x 7 inches, Oil on Gessoboard - $60.  Etsy Shop It seems that some birds would rather glean birdseed from the ground than perch on the feeder.  And as in the example of this cardinal, get snow on their beaks by doing so.  Maybe I should mind my own business.

Blue Jay No. 6- oil on gessoboard, 6 x 6 inches Sold - Thank you Process Pictures I offer a variety of bird seed and by doing so, attract Blue Jays and Woodpeckers.  I try to keep my camera or phone handy so I can snap pictures.  I've also just started sketching them.  They go to bed early, so I try to get at the window by 3:30 pm.  I'll post some sketches when they are post worthy.

"Buffalo Cardinal" 5 x 5 inches, Oil on Gessoboard $ 55.   Buy on Etsy This painting is the second of my 2014 Christmas Cardinal series.  Western NY (Buffalo area) got slammed and I mean slammed with a major snow storm.  My heart is broken as about 13 people are reported to have died from this storm.  Sadly, more could be discovered as five feet of snow in less than one day shuts down roads and leaves those drivers stranded. Yesterday, where I live (Rochester area of NY) a few inches of snow fell.  For about an hour though, it was coming down thickly and I thought about complaining.  Because of my addiction to watching the birds at my feeder, I've seen them endure harsh winter weather with determination and grace. They are an inspiration to me, so instead of voicing my complaint, I gratefully started supper.  

"2014 Christmas Cardinal No. 1" 4 x 4 inches, Oil on Gessoboard Sold, Thank you It's snowing outside and my woods have been transformed into a winter wonderland.  Normally first snow results with me gazing out the window with wonderment and awe. This year, I'm reacting in fear with shock and awe. See, I haven't fully recovered from the winter of 2013 -2014.  That winter was RUDE.  That winter was MEAN.  That winter was a BULLY.  Wait a minute!  I haven't fully re-absorbed all that stress hormone, cortisol...I need more time. So, even though I've filed a complete and detailed complaint, it's still snowing.  A better use of my time would be to paint a Christmas Cardinal. Just like there's more snow in my future, so will it go for my Christmas Cardinal Paintings.  

"Ready, Set, Go" 4 x 4 inches, Oil on Gessoboard Buy on Etsy I don't know why, but a plethora of Robins, Titmouses, Finches and yes, Chickadees were at the bird feeder all at once.  Reminded me of a flashmob, birdie style. I'm not sure, but it looked like some of these delicate creatures were working the feeders, throwing the millet to the ground in favor of the black sunflowers seed.  Note:  I'll be moving to pure black sunflower seed next week.   Just goes to show, you don't have to be an egg-head to be smart.

"Spying Chickadee", 4 x 4 inches, Oil on Gessoboard $ 50.  Click to Buy Today was another stellar fall day and my hand injury of yesterday does not hurt...It's a beautiful life!  Celebrated both with this chickadee painting.  

October's Grey Titmouse, 4 x 4 inches, Oil on Gessoboard Click to Buy The bird feeding station at my house is in full swing.  I'm enjoying lots of activity from a variety of birds and snapping pictures for future paintings.  As I was refilling the feeders today, a little chickadee swooped and almost landed on me.  Maybe next time.  

"Wide Eye and Stance" 5 x 5 inches- Oil Painting of a Grey Titmouse -Sold What attracted me to paint this bird was the wide stance of those cute little claw feet.  Had to do some editing of the tree branches, although I really wanted to include every single one.  But it's all about the bird, not the branches.

"Winter's Getting Closer" 4 x 4 inches, Oil on Gessoboard $ 55.   Buy with Etsy Boy did it get cold outside and quick.  I really didn't need this little birdie telling me that winter is on the way.

"Bird Talk" 4 x 4 inches, Oil on Gessoboard $ 55.  Click to buy Inspired to paint this little fella by those that visit my bird feeders.  Chickadees are such nice birds.  From what I observe, they pick a seed from the feeder and then fly to a nearby branch to eat it...thus giving another bird a turn.  As pretty as goldfinches are, they're squatters.  Sometimes it takes an eviction notice to get them to share with other birds.

"Right Look Chickadee" 4 x 4 inches, Oil on Gessoboard Sold, Thank you What can I say...I love these wonderful little birds.  We have a park close by where in the winter, the Chickadees will eat seeds from your hand.  The leaves are starting to turn and I tried to incorporate a little Autumn in this piece. On another note,  I'll be spending  October 2 - 5 painting plein air in Geneva, New York which is part of the Finger Lake's Wine Trail.   I'm a charter artist of this event and really look forward to painting outdoors with nature all around me. I'll try to post my plein air paintings daily.

"Dee in Charge" 4 x 4 inches, Oil on Gessoboard Sold - Thank you! I've been on the wrong side of bad luck with health lately.  My mom has been ill and then I had another episode of A-Fib which keeps me in bed.  But there is a good side to being in bed / sick and that is:  When you recover you have a heightened sense of enjoying life and I mean really heightened! This morning, I noticed chickadees at the bird feeder and decided to add fresh seed for them.  When I walked to the station, a young chickadee was perched very close and the bird stayed as I slowly walked closer.   I was struck by how beautiful this bird looked and I'm sure it's that heightened sense of enjoying life that made my eyes focus so well.  

"Little Visitor" 5 x 5 inches, Oil on Gessoboard Buy on Paypal  $ 60. This little girl, is inspired by a recent post to my facebook page.  Some people do a great job sharing their time and resources with Hummingbirds.  One woman set up many feeders for Hummingbirds just outside her living room where she keeps one window open.   She enjoyed a little broad billed Hummingbird visitor who wanted to perch on her finger.  After a short while she flew to to feeder again to join the others but while the visit took place, someone filmed it and thus posted on facebook. I have to say, these kind of posts make my day...maybe my week.

"Blue Jay No. 2" 8 x 8 inches, Oil on Gessoboard Buy with Paypal I've been enjoying a visit from my granddaughter, Corina.  Between being a grandma and getting ready for my only outdoor art festival  "The Clothesline Art Festival" I  haven't had much time at the easel.  But this past Saturday my daughter, Amy did and in my studio too.  From her Saturday session:    She has not painted in oil before and  although she has talent, she is in the throes of a stellar Military career and between that and raising my teenage granddaughter, doesn't have time to paint.  So this is a very exceptional outcome and I'm a proud mom.

"A Blue, Rear View" 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Gessoboard- $ 95. Click to Buy Any artist who has ever painted a Blue Jay already knows the lesson I learned yesterday...they are NOT easy to paint. They actually have grey feathers that reflect light as blue. They are beautiful birds and the couple that come to my feeder have brightened many days for me. I subdued the background to insure this painting is all about the beauty of this bird.  They are big birds and I read they have a reputation of throwing their weight around or being bullies.  Not the two at my feeder.  They follow the lead of the other birds and wait for a turn.

"The Bird Watcher" 4 x 4 inches, Oil on Gessoboard Click to Bid Maybe next week I'll try my hand at painting one of the Blue Jays that visit my feeder.  Now, I have to find the energy to pick up the studio.  Always nice to have a clean studio with paintings drying in an orderly fashion.  Not that I'm orderly or fashion forward!  

"Waiting for My Turn" 4 x 4 inches, Oil on Gessoboard Sold - Thank You It's been a while since I painted a Chickadee and now, I'm hoping to warm up my skills to paint a Blue Jay. We have a pair of them that visit our feeder.   At the feeder, I change my offerings from only black oil sunflower seeds in the winter, to a blend of seed, fruit and nuts in the summer. You probably think it should be the other way around, but the Chickadees need the former in the winter to survive and in the winter, it's all about those little birdies.  They do play nice at the feeder with everyone else too. 

"Spots" 6 x 6 inches, oil on gessoboard Click to Bid This little owl was painted for one of the Daily Paintwork's weekly challenge.