Alone but Not Lonely

This painting was awarded Top 100 Finalist in the February 2023 and the April 2023 PleinAir Salon, Animals & Birds Category and went on to win Honorable Mention in this Salon which has placed this in the competition for the annual PleinAir Salon competition in May 2023!



Inspiration and process:



While painting en plein air at Weir Dam with a student it began to rain and we took shelter under a canopy. Out in the middle of the river was a beautiful white-faced heron standing on a log in the drizzling rain. The light, the contrast and reflection illuminated the most spectacular glow of grey and lavender so I started filming it with my camera. He posed for several minutes as I got progressively closer and then he flew away. I captured that too! It was like watching a ballet on water! My student was amazed that I didn't mind getting soaked! I just had to recreate this moment and I am sure there will be another one painted and a series pending.

I started with Vasari Raw Umber, Ultramarine Blue and Dioxizine Purple mixture for an underpainting and used 50/50 Linseed/Gamsol mixture prior to subsequent passes of color to achieve the tonal mood and the atmospheric depth in this piece.