Jeremy sent me a few Common Loon photos from the ocean in front of his home in Petersburg, Alaska.
These loons were far away on choppy seas, so I could'nt resist the temptation to play with the images using one of my photo editing programs. A really basic one that came with my camera, Arcsoft Photostudio Impressions. I tried to smooth out, and tone down the harsh contrasts in the water.
At first I thought that the bottom bird must have been a juvenile loon. Now I'm convinced that it's an adult transitioning into winter plummage.
I'm wondering if Common Loons hang around Petersburg all Winter. I imagine that they do. Wonderful Winter guests. They will be in drab Winter colors soon.
This is my latest painting, On Goose Creek, 12x16". I dont like it much and dont consider it finished yet. It may not survive for long, unless I can figure out a way to make it more interesting.
If you have read my posts in the last few months, you know that I have been undergoing some serious dis-satisfaction with my career. Finances have been cut to the bone, and my enthusiasm is at an all time low.
I have not wanted to paint at all lately. Well, I'm starting a new job on Monday. It's just a temporary on the job training thing, doing clerical work at the state Boy Scout Headquarters.
When it comes to an end, I will have to decide whether to look for permanent work in an office somewhere, or try being an artist again. Anyway, I doubt that I will be doing too much new artwork for a while.
6 comments:
I think the geese need something in the trees or coming down the left bank, a beaver perhaps. I don't see any deficiencies, just a lack of interest.
I don't know if it's the scan/photo, but the colors look washed out. Not a bad thing if you're intending on a dark setting.
The loons look much better with post processing. I think they will stick around for winter. We'll see what else does.
Here's hoping the job inspires and renews!
Jeremy, The actual painting is even darker than the photo indicates. A dark painting that matched my dark mood. Thanks for your suggestions.
I'm wondering what other species of loon will be wintering around Petersburg. Last winter in Seward, I saw, Common, Pacific, and Yellow-billed Loons. Other people got Red-throated Loons as well.
I haven't really looked at the reports but I remember last year there was mention of wintering loons.
In a depressib situations i think like Winston Churchill: "WE NEVER SURRENDER".Never give up.Many years ago i had diferent crisis for finally become more reforced and vigorized. Because the subconscious pushing for following your nature conexion and nature art path. For me this is the cyclical rhythm of the consciousness its part of a natural process of the human evolution.Its te time for visit more frequently the nature,lonely, when i find much answers abaut my troubles and concerns.I pursue my freedom through my art, and other alternative resources related in it and nature knowledge.I belive that you overcome this situation. This is a one challenge of the life.For ebery body,discover our inner hapines and express our soul.Recober your INNER FORCE and nature energy John!!.
Thank you for your encouraging comments Marc. After my first tedious day of filing paperwork, poverty as an artist does not seem so bad.
I think so.All the faliures are temporally, its a prove for our integrity.I paint because is one of the higest purposes of my life,and the higest purpose of all the wildlife artists too.In my country i fill bery alone in my field of work,and i frecuently bisit the mountains, the forest and enjoy the company of the animals and the people that decides to acconpany me.I fight every day for self liberate of the social standars and.My next challenge is to promoting my art outside of my country, because here its bery difficult to live of this style of paint.Its one of our challenges to break tis bored weel of productivist society.
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