![]() |
'Flight Risk' - acrylic on canvas 30cm x 40cm |
I
have very mixed emotions at the moment as this is my last full week in my
temporary job in the Animal Shelter with Wednesday next week being my last paid
day. I go back to Ireland for a week’s holiday on Friday and when I get back to
Scotland I’ll be back to just volunteering on a Wednesday morning and working
two days a week in my other part-time job.
While I’m very happy to have four and a half days a week free for
painting again, I’m really going to be sad to be back to only seeing the
animals at the shelter once a week. I really loved working there and am open to
the universe if it wants to somehow create a permanent part-time job there for
me! That would be a pretty perfect way to make a living – art and animals!
Anyway,
the idea for this painting was sparked during another of our walks on the beach.
The three beaches we walk on all have rivers running from the hills down to the
ocean and it’s always fascinating to me how the landscape changes depending on
the tides and the weather. Some days the river is quite low and the rocks are
visible on the shoreline as was the case on this particular day when I saw the
bird’s feather lying there and thought it would make an interesting composition
for another river rock painting.
You
know how young children tend to ask a lot questions - why is the sky blue, why is the sun hot? Well,
my inner child does the same and when I saw the feather it made me wonder if it
makes it more difficult for a bird to fly straight and strong if they have
feathers missing which in turn gave me the painting's title 'flight risk'. By the way, according to this, birds do depend on a full set of flight feathers for maximum efficiency when migrating long distances so, yes, losing feathers could indeed pose a flight risk (and yes, I know that the usual definition of flight risk is a person thought likely to leave the country before a court trial but I do like a play on words!)
So, that's all my news, I do have another photo reference lined up for my next painting which also includes river rocks. I can see a pattern forming here where I develop an obsession for a particular subject and paint it to death - starry skies, anyone?! This time, I included a couple of marbles sitting beside the river rocks in my composition, as I've been wanting to paint marbles for ages although initially I had planned to do them as planets in a starry sky but as that obsession is on the wane a little in favour of colourful rocks, I plonked them beside the river instead! Talking of marbles, if you haven't already seen them then check out my friend and fellow artist, Sandra Busby's marble paintings. She is the queen of marble artwork - her marbles are amazeballs! I only hope mine turn out half as good!
![]() |
My next project |
After that, I'm looking forward to getting stuck into some Route 66 paintings - S took some fantastic photos of great scenes along our road trip and I'm itching to have a go at painting some of them once I get all that painting time on my hands again in February.
Until then, thanks for popping by and if you do have Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, please follow me there as I'm better at updating those than my blog these days.
Oooh - such a gorgeous painting Nick. I am so sorry that your animal job is coming to and end. I really, really hope that the universe sees fit to get you a full time job there.
ReplyDeleteHave a safe trip to Ireland and I am eager to see your next painting:-)
Off to go have a look at Sandra's marbles now :-) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ACK !! So sorry about the errant 'k' on your name.... I must have had a finger/brain glitch !!!! xx
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love the rocks and feathers painting - fabulous! Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteSandra Busby was the first person to comment on my blog, years ago - marbleous lass.
ReplyDeleteLove your distinctive art, Nick. Besides being such a terrific painting there's quite a bit of narrative there with the delicious touch of the little feather. Incidentally, if an a multi-engine aircraft with propellers has to switch off an engine, they turn the blades sideways to lessen 'drag', known as feathering the engine!
What a shame about the job! I told you of our two puppies: a border collie named Blodwyn and a great-grandson named Topgun (aka Logan - 2.5 yrs) ... well, they were caught eating their Nanny's dinner, off the same plate. Later they were both sharing the dog's dinner. Logan is now back in Australia, but Skypes Blodwyn each day.
In Welsh, where a river meets the sea is known as 'Aber', so where the river Gwaun meets the sea the town is called Abergwaun "Mouth of the River Gwaun")... or 'Fishguard' in English.
I hope you get a permanent part time job with the sanctuary, meanwhile I look forward to all the paintings you will be able to get painted.
ReplyDeleteThis painting is just beautiful...the soft colors of a rainbow.
ReplyDeleteI am hopeful that you are offered a permanent, part-time job with the shelter. I am sure the animals miss someone with your kindness and love for them~
Happy PPF
Jan
Your art is so beautiful, Nic! Love this latest artwork! Looking forward to seeing your marble piece.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping a paid position at the animal shelter becomes available for you. I would miss seeing the animals too.
Enjoy your holiday in Ireland. :)
stunning art Nicole. I absolutely LOVE the little feather in your first painting. Sorry to hear they couldn't keep you on payroll at the shelter but I suspect that will change again:) Have a wonderful holiday in Ireland!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous art, hope that perfect job is just around the corner!
ReplyDeleteI love the colours in your new painting and the way the rocks seem to reflect light. I had to laugh reading about your "obsession" for a particular subject. I have the same! It's good that you will have more time for painting, but it's a pity that job can't become a permanent one. As far as I "know" you it's the perfect job for you. But who knows what'll happen. Thumbs up!
ReplyDeleteso colourful and pretty! :D
ReplyDeleteLove the colours!
ReplyDeleteNick you art is mesmerizing. Your color choices move the eye through the depth of your art. I am sending positive energy so that your dream of working with the animals comes your way.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful painting and interesting title too!
ReplyDeleteWell as you know, I just LOVE this one! And the two together sit wonderfully... I definitely see a series coming! Meanwhile I can not wait to see your marbles! And thank you so much for mentioning mine! Right now I am working my way across a large marble painting, which is going to take some time to complete... Slowly slowly... Anyway, my fingers are tightly crossed that something comes up in the shelter for you at some point. It has taken me a while to get catch up with your posts as I have been building my new blog, so I only just realised you had posted this! Meanwhile just make the most of the extra painting time. Btw, don't you just love John Simlett? His has so many stories!! :0)
ReplyDeletePS... Just noticed the new Blog Title! Love it!
ReplyDeleteWonderful painting, I love how it is so colourful, but that he colours still are somewhat muted. I've been wanting to go to the river and draw the pebbles there for ages! While we haven't any beaches here, let alone an ocean, there is a river going through my town, and I'm always fascinated by how it changes. The lake at its source has a dam, so the water level can vary significantly. Last Friday, when I walked along the river, it was low, slow, clear and with most part completely frozen over and yesterday evening, after a day of heavy rain, the level was twice as high, and the water brown and opague, flowing and swirling fast, carrying with it big chunks of ice.
ReplyDeleteI hope there'll be a permanent job opening there for you, you never know. But in the meantime, enjoy your extra painting time! I'd love to have four days of creating a week!
Ooh, forgot to mention... You might want to change the link on your side bar as it still links to my old blog :)
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful artwork, Nicola. Awwww. It's so refreshing and filled with a special kind of peace. I love that! :)
ReplyDeleteMy new blog address is www.alexandramacvean.blogspot.com. Please make sure to update your newsfeed.
xo
I love your rocks and your creativity! You always amaze me with your talent. I know that you've already taken on another 3 months at the shelter so that's good. I don't know how I know that. Instagram?
ReplyDeleteso where are you ...kiddo? :)
ReplyDelete