Brande Arno Art

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.

"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.  

3.5 x 2.5 inches, Watercolor Cardinal Another inspiration at my bird feeding station this morning.  This little fellow was yelling at a rogue squirrel.  This cardinal needs the bad boy crows to enforce the orders he's throwin' down...last I looked the squirrel was holding his stomach laughing. On another note, I had to run some errands today and I hate to drive during winter. So I decided to bring along my camera and get some sources for future paintings.   

ACEO, 2.5 x 3.5 inches Watercolor, $ 18. Buy with Paypal As of this posting the Roman Catholic Cardinals are still in conclave to discover the next pope.  I'm not Roman Catholic but I do have a wonderment about the this process because it's so entwined in mystery.   This little watercolor Cardinal was at my bird feeder where he grabbed a sunflower seed and quickly flew to a tree limb to perch and enjoy.  After which he waits his turn to return.