Red tail in the winter field

"Red tail in the winter field" by Hilary J. England

Oil on canvas, 8" x 11" 

I painted this one before the blizzard, but with all the bad weather, wasn't photographing much.  I really love the peace and serenity of the open, empty winter fields.  The cold day gave way to the whiteness of the bleached, winter landscape and then there was the beautiful, contented hawk just sitting there. The bird seemed very undisturbed by the day, or even the human (me) in proximity to him.  He just was enjoying the moment too.  He sat for quite a bit before quietly gliding away.

The weak winter light makes it hard to capture the scene, because the light can be blinding even in its high weakness.  The shadows on the hay were interesting and still pulsating.  I had to move fast to capture all the essence of the day, and before my feet froze up too much too.  It's always my feet -- my hands seem to be impervious to most of the cold!

Spring should be here next week, and I am very much looking forward to the flowering landscape!!!

~Enjoy

Early moonrise over the winter field

"Early moonrise over the winter field" by Hilary J. England

I have been patiently waiting on Spring, as we all are I suppose.  I don't mind the change of seasons at all, but when the end of Winter comes, we are usually all ready and chomping at the bit to move into the next season, and I am definitely no exception.

I have been more subdued this season, maybe because the month of February was so raucous with a lot of tumultuous news for me and my family.  Things are calming down now a bit, and I find myself just ready to do something: and that simply means more work.  More art.

So, I hope you enjoy this little study of the early moonrise over the dead field...with the new life just below the surface of dirt, waiting to spring alive with the first warmth of Spring.

 

Enchanted Forest in PA

"Enchanted forest in PA" by Hilary J. England
oil on canvas, 12" x 16"

It has been difficult for me to get out regularly this year and paint, and that hurts me deeply.  February was an incredibly difficult month, with several very bad, seemingly back-to-back events that happened to people I love, and I was literally rolled as if by a tsunami.  I am glad February is gone.

But, on the last day of February, I was able to put the evil month behind me with a soothing painting of the local forest.  Sitting in the gentle quiet of the woods, on a soft, rotting stump, watching the light filter through the trees.  It healed my soul and made me able to put my armor back on and get back into the swing of things!

So, I think that is what much of art is: a way to voice the voiceless feelings in our soul.  The things that wound, and the things that heal.  To mourn, and to be grateful.  To rage at our powerlessness, but to regain and reclaim a little bit of our control and translate it into something beautiful and comforting.

I look forward to a good year from this point forward :-)

~Enjoy <3

Cardinals in the snow

"Cardinals in the snow" by Hilary J. England
oil on canvas, 8" x 11"

I have been very busy as usual, but not too busy to stop and enjoy the falling snow and the visitors that appeared at the bird feeder right after: a group of social Cardinals.  They were so sweet, and seemed to be having a brunch or some sort of little get-together after the snow ended.

It isn't always easy to set up and capture a scene quickly, but you do get used to it after years of practice.  I have a very basic pochade box, and I paint very quickly, utilizing a limited palette many times.  This time was one of those times.  I used only Van Dyke brown, Ultramarine, Cad Red deep, Indian Yellow, and Titanium white.  This allows for a rapid study without too many color choices that can become troublesome if you are trying to do a basic study.

I love cardinals--they are one of my favorite native birds, as the are both stout and elegant, and of course, their color.  This was a very enjoyable painting for me, and I don't mind painting in the cold.  As long as you take certain steps and precautions, painting outdoors in winter is not a miserable experience.  Always make sure your head and feet are warm and dry, you keep your medium covered so it doesn't gum up, and work rapidly if it's really cold (your paint can actually get inconsistent and "gloppy").  Other than that, enjoy!. I always do.  Be sure to bring a thermos of hot tea, coffee, or whatever you like that's hot.  It helps both for your body and your soul <3

~Enjoy!