THE SPORT OF FALCONRY | DREA

Ever since my sister Caroline and I began the sport of falconry and trapped our birds September 5, 2013, I've wanted to somehow paint them. However, their initial care and training took so much time that no painting or drawing was possible, and the following hunting season also took a toll on my free time. However in September of 2014 I buckled down and painted one.

2015 | Drea hunting

2015 | Criere sitting on a catch

As a thank you to my dad for his support with falconry, I painted a picture of Drea, Caroline's Female, Red-Tailed hawk. It now hangs in his office, a constant reminder that though he may be working, the field is always waiting.

Female Red-Tailed Hawk | Drea
S. Thomson
2014
Oil on Canvas

Incidentally, Caroline and I were recently featured in the Indy Star. Check it out here.

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"Come forth into the light of things; let nature be your teacher."

-William Wordsworth

NAN | STEPH PAINTS ANIMALS

Last Thursday I told y'all to come back to check out the colorful project I had going on, and today here it is.

This project was a special request from my aunt, a portrait of their Haflinger, Nan, who they've owned for a year. She sent me this photo of Nan (and Emma)...

 ...and this photo of a painting in a magazine...

"https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjCVhR-MC9pbhBSNJNeX7V8OvgaKwic_uk7ygdfTi4t51jHdY5BTpELkhKpYeTaWG6zv57HlHmz9fSiHT_sPV5cHFXfkYlQR7M_BR1MRTCO5nsxOVMhhFHUgZXjPxIflj0acRMqLRe4c8/s1600/cowcow.jpg" height="640" width="480" />

...and a couple late nights later: here it is!

Nan

S. Thomson

2015

Oil on Canvas

So Stephanie does animals now, I guess. Together with a sheep and a horse seems like they're not as bad as I've always thought. After reducing Nan to lines and shapes, finishing the painting was really like a paint by number. 

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"A good artist has less time than ideas."
-Martin Kippenberger

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There's always a project going on around here, so keep on checking in. I've got a few projects just for fun to share and a few bigger and more intense ones coming up! This sketch is among one of those more intense projects. Have a great week everyone, see you on Thursday.

RESTORATION | FAMILY HEIRLOOM

Something about painting that I find so unique is how it allows for a person to preserve a moment, a face, a scene, or even a memory for many more years than it would otherwise last. For example this sign:

This would be an example of a memory being preserved through a painting. This sign was the marker of the Armbruster & Sons Shropshire Sheep farm for many years, as one can see from the age and wear. 

Following the passing of his late father, Mr. Mitch Armbruster requested a replica of this memorable sign, his purpose being to preserve the memories and history.

In a project like this one, measuring and planning the slant of the letters and placement of the text is over 50% of the job. First off I created this pencil drawing, getting down the letter placement, size, and slant. The alien sheep in the center was a first attempt and a quick one, merely trying to get the feel for the end product.

What is not pictured is the cutting out of each individual letter, making a sort of stencil. Using those letters and some more measuring, I was able to essentially transfer my pencil drawing to canvas.

The end product: this bad boy. After deciphering the original colors and text, at last the final painting is complete. Perhaps the most motivating factor behind this painting is the family history the sign represents. By restoring what has since corroded to its previous state, the history can now be presented in a way that is true to the original.

Also, it pushed my boundaries as far as animals are concerned. Can you guess what I painted last? That would be the sheep. But now I feel much bolder when it comes to painting the animal kingdom, and am thankful I was given the chance to test my limits.

Thank you to the Armbruster family for the opportunity to recreate this family heirloom.

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Check back next week to find out why these colors are on my palette...

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"Perseverance is failing nineteen times and succeeding the twentieth."

- H. W. Shaw