Going out on a limb for spoonbills

I keep telling people, I am a printmaker not a painter. However every once in a while I try. Here is a painting I am trying to finish. I thought I would go out on a limb and ask if anyone has some suggestion? What does it need?

Great Egret at the Amphitheater

It is nesting time on Jekyll. Sadly, the herons and egrets are not nesting in great numbers this year. Is it the fact that it is hot or the fact we have had very little rain? All good questions. We will see. We still have another month.

In the meantime, here is a Great Egret trying to get some attention.

Detail

Wilson's Plover Etching

Because I put the Wilson's Plover signs today,
I thought I would put up my little etching of the Wilson's Plover. The color is in the plate.

Red-cockaded Woodpecker for Dad

My father was a forester for a 50 year career and a conservationist. The last part of his life, he gave back to the pine woods he loved so much. He fought hard to get a workable Red-cockaded Woodpecker Conservation Plan for his profession society. The experience taught me that this work is not easy. Everyone has their own idea of how it should work. However in the end, it will be good for the birds and the environment.

Here is a multi-plate colored and embossed etching I did of a Red-cockaded Woodpecker. It mats out to 20" x 30"

Happy Fathers Day. Dad.

Big Red monotype

I did several bird surveys up at the north end of Jekyll. It is a pocket marsh area. There was dried Marsh Fleabane a native plant. I gather some up along with other grasses. Back in the studio, I began a printing session. When I was finished I had several monotypes. Here is a monotype construction from that session. I call it a construction because I have combined two monotypes to make one image. I am using Daniel Smith water based etching ink. The paper is 100% rag Arches Cover. I call this one Big Red, for the cardinal that posed for me. It measure 10 x 20 matted.

Drawing of Royal Terns

"Royal Terns Courting" is a new drawing that was inspired by my walks at the south end of Jekyll Island. The size is 22" x 17." It is graphite and colored pencils.

First things first

I have drawn all my life. I wanted to be a printmaker before I knew about printmaking. All I knew was I wanted a big wheel that I could get on and go round and round on. Walked into my drawing class, there was the etching press with a wheel I could get on and go round and round on. No, I didn’t try it. My drawing teacher Mr. Clifford would have killed me. I did ask, “What does that do?” He told me, “Etchings” “Where do I sign up?” I asked. It turned out there was no etching class but I found a way.

I was hooked so hooked that I never stopped looking for ways to do printmaking. I found printmakers who needed someone to edition for them. I signed on. I worked for five different printmakers by editioning their etchings. I also worked with a few artists to help them produce etching for their portfolios. With art, there are always trends and etchings were next replaced with the next trend. I had to shift with it. I moved on to my own printmaking.
My etchings and monotypes allow me to explore textures and designs in nature. Birds are a big part of my art. In order to study birds, natural textures and designs, I left my studio to explore birds and nature. It was a wake-up call. There are fewer birds. I create my art but I am also creating programs and projects on Jekyll Island to help bring awareness of our birds and their plight. As I post my monotypes and etchings if you see something you like comment on it.
The monies for your purchase of my art will enable the continuation of my work with the conservation of birds. Then my art will work for the birds.