Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Alaskan Eagles


Alaskan Eagles - Alaskan plein air #8/14
9" x 12"  oil on canvas on board
$195.00 + $10. s/h

I've mentioned the challenges of plein air painting and the challenges of plein air painting on a boat:  changing light, strong glare, reflections on the water, boat movement.  Don't worry, there are more!  The tide!  And how quickly it comes in and goes out!


When I started this piece the eagles were happily landing,

posing for me,

then taking off.

I soon noticed that the tide was coming in, and my rocks were getting smaller
and smaller,

and smaller!  It's a good thing that I was about done!

The other day I wondered why the writing next to one of the pictures was off.  Today I'm wondering why the first group of 4 photos is bracketed together, how that happened, and how do I undo this!?  Any thoughts?

13 comments:

Autumn Leaves said...

Ok, I had to laugh through this story, Pam. Not easy being a resident artist on a boat, is it? LOL I think this is a favorite in the Alaskan series. That little island of rocks you've captured is truly beautiful! And the eagles too!

Debbi Smith Rourke said...

Love how you mastered the focal point and left the edges unfinished. Very nice. The tide is amazing - as are the eagles posing for you!!! I love mother nature...in all her brilliant forms!

Dana Cooper said...

Lovely interpretation of the scene Pam. Plein air is hard enough without your scene moving!!

Crystal said...

I love this, the island, the eagles, the water, fantastic! :-)

Pam Holnback said...

Thank you Sherry! This is also one of my favorites from our trip!

Debbi, Thank you. Not finishing the edges wasn't my initial plan. But, as I had to be ver quick about getting this all in, I just didn't get to the edges. And, it worked, so I left it as is.

Thank you Dana. This must be similar to trying to do a portrait of a child. You look up, and it's different!

Crystal, Thanks so much! For me, this is one that just fell in place!

mary maxam said...

You're recreating my memories of Alaska, incredibly well! great job...

Nancy B. Hartley said...

Pam, love the unfinished quality of this painting, very loose and free!

Amy Hillenbrand said...

I can't imagine painting on a boat. Your resolve is amazing. with that said this piece is beautiful, the colors you used for the rocks and the stones are gorgeous. Blogger has a mind of it's own, when you figure it out will you let us know.

Shirley Fachilla said...

The perils of plein air painting... on a moving boat no less!
Love the freshness of your painting.

Pam Holnback said...

Thank you Mary. Alaska has such great rugged landscapes.

Nancy. Thank you. The looseness just happened.

Thank you Amy. Painting on the boat was a bit different. But, being out there allowed me scenes that otherwise I wouldn't have seen!

Thanks so much Shirley. It was an adventure!

Carol DeMumbrum said...

Great post! Love the unfinished edges and looseness. I spend way too much time trying to figure out things on blogger- wish I could help you with this one.

Diane Hoeptner said...

Every time I visit, you've gone and had another wonderful adventure Pam! You are an inspiration!!

Pam Holnback said...

Thank you Carol. I know what you mean about spending time trying to figure things out! Really, usually no one cares but ourselves.

Diane, Thanks! Travel is one of the joys of retirement!