Norma Wilson Original Oil Chiffchaff Songbird Aviary Wildlife Painting Art

"Chiffchaff Songbird"

©Norma Wilson, original oil, 5" by 7"

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This little bird is singing it's heart out. Sometimes I try to imagine a world without birds and especially the sound of birds singing which is so comforting and uplifting especially when things feel

so heavy in the world. I love to sit on my screened porch and watch the birds coming to my bird feeder. Last week I had a giant hawk sit on the bird bath! Here is a photo of him or her!

Anyone know what type of hawk this is? I was really startled when I first caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye. The morning light was beautiful and after sitting for quite awhile he headed up into the tree. I bet he makes the squirrels nervous!

Norma Wilson Seascape Beach Coastal Living Waves Ocean Painting Ar

"Catch A Wave"

©Norma Wilson, original oil, 6" by 6"

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We are so lucky here in Virginia Beach to have warm enough temperatures to enjoy the beach way past Labor Day. When I lived at the beach, I saw may surfers hitting the waves up into November wearing wet suits. They were pretty hard core. I personally love walking on the beach listening to the sounds of the waves crashing on the shore. So peaceful. Happy Friday!

Norma Wilson Original Oil Beach Grass Seascape Coastal Living Decor Ocean Painting Art

Beyond The Beach Grass

© Norma Wilson, original oil on canvas 5" by 7"

More coastal fun! I love to watch the beach grass wave with the breeze and beckon

you on to the water. Hope your week is going well!

Norma Wilson Original Oil Wildlife Chickadee Bird Avian Painting Art

"Sweet Chickadee"

© Norma Wilson, original oil on canvas 6" by 6"


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Hoping my new bird seed and feeder will bring some of these sweet birds into my yard.

Hope your week if off to a good start!

Norma Wilson Original Oil Cow Cattle Bovine Farm Animals Portrait Painting Art

Irish Cow

 © Norma Wilson, original oil on canvas  6" by 6"

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Hoping that your Monday is off to a great start! 

Norma Wilson Original Oil Sea Gull Shorebird Bird Painting Coastal Seascape Art

Steppin' Out

                                     © Norma Wilson, original oil on canvas 5" by 7"

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       The first step can be the hardest to take in life! This fellow reminds me to just

step on out! Next, the trick is to take it step by step and enjoy the journey...

Norma Wilson Original Oil Sea Gull Bird Seascape Coastal Ocean Shore Bird Art Painting

Gully's Travels

© Norma Wilson, original oil on canvas 5" by 7"

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More fun with auctions! Gully is off on a journey from Virginia Beach to who knows where? To bring him to your town, click to bid! I do like the close up view which gives him the look of a gull deep in thought, the sun on his back and one last look at the beach before he takes off. Hope your week has been a good one. I have been painting and teaching my oil classes which meet twice a week and tomorrow I am going to see the Parade Of Sails in Norfolk! TGIF!

Painting #26 of Thirty Dogs And A Cat Challenge

"Hoss"

          

                                         © Norma Wilson, original oil on canvas 12"by 12"

Another day....another dog! What will I do with myself next week? This handsome fellow has beautiful eyes and a regal look. Perhaps he is contemplating going for a swim? 

Hooty

Hooty

© Norma Wilson, original oil on canvas 10"x 20"

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I loved how the light hit this owl and brought out all of his beautiful feathers. Thinking of everyone in the path of Hurricane Matthew tonight and hoping everyone can take shelter and stay safe and dry!

All Lit Up!

All Lit Up!

© Norma Wilson, original oil on canvas 20"x 20"

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Over the last six months, I have shared that I am part of a masterclass of artists growing their businesses and art. Part of this process is learning about our values and becoming more aligned with them. I have always loved animals and find such great joy in painting them. I was becoming more and more conflicted that my diet included so much of what I paint! So in April, I quit eating meat. It has been so much easier than I thought and has been a a wonderful transition for me and has had some great health benefits as well. Another influence has been The Gentle Barn with is a sanctuary for abused animals and I see daily posts on my Facebook feed. My favorite stories are about Dudley, the bull, and Madeline and her calves. Now, my next mission is to visit Dudley in Tennessee and to give him a hug. :-) 

Custom Pet Portrait In Time For The Holidays

Your Pet In Oil

These are just a few of the pets I have painted over the years. It is one of my favorite things to do. I have been an animal lover my whole life and was fourteen before I was able to talk my Mom into getting me my first dog. I have had several since then as well as a cat, hamsters, guinea pigs, turtles, fish, etc. So when I paint your pet, I look to find their spirit in the photos you send and as the painting develops, I find that it is like having them in my studio and it is such a delight. I do hold my breath a little until I hear back from you that you are delighted and that my efforts to capture your sweet pet have been successful. I am so grateful to all my collectors who have entrusted me to paint their pet or one of a loved one!

The process begins when you send me your favorite photos. Photos taken outside are best. It is good to send several and decide if you just want a portrait of the face or more of a full body pose. We decide on a size and then you send half as a deposit. I get started and when I am finished, I send you a photo of the painting. When you are thrilled with the results and it is dry enough to ship, you send the balance. The turnaround is anywhere from a month to six weeks depending on how many commissions I am working on. I named this post about being in time for the holidays so we can have plenty of time to have things ready! Contact me at normasfineart@gmail.com to get started on immortalize  your furry friend in oil!

Filling The Creative Well

Happy Hour

© Norma Wilson, original oil on canvas 18" by 24"

Available Through Gallery

So how do artists fill their creative well and stay engaged with their desire to create art day in and day out?  Last week, I wrote about the importance of showing up at your easel on a regular basis, but there are also things outside of the studio that help contribute to keeping things going.  I have been painting now and showing my work for going on sixteen years.  It was easy to stay excited in the beginning as there were so many new subjects to paint and so much to learn. Well, the truth is that there are still many things to paint and much to learn but there are times just like in so many areas of life, that you hit a slump or moods take over and you feel anxious about painting. It can become routine. Exercise is really huge for me. Taking a walk, a bike ride, or a yoga class really helps me have a better frame of mind but there are other things I do as well.  Visiting favorite artists sites to enjoy their works, going to a museum and soaking up the master's works, spending time doing something fun with a friend not art related, painting with friends and soaking up their enthusiasm, giving art lessons and sharing in a new painter's delight as they complete their first painting. I used to go to Barnes and Noble which was close to my house for coffee and flip through all the art magazines I could find. Becoming immersed in all the colors and styles of painting helps to reignite the desire to face a blank canvas and get busy! Sometimes it is just a color combination, great texture, light or a feeling of gratitude for life that can make the shift.  Here are a few examples from my neighborhood walk, my living room that has awesome light, my tastey lunch plate, 

What kinds of things work for you? If you are stuck, you might try some of these things. If all else fails....there's always.....

White Heron On The Beach Thirty Paintings In Thirty Days! Day Thirty!! Woo Hoo!

White Heron On The Beach

© Norma Wilson, original oil on panel 5" by 7" 

Not For Sale

This painting is a study for a larger piece so I will post the larger version some time in the next month. I am so HAPPY to have completed my challenge of thirty paintings in thirty days! I really do well when I am accountable and motivated by a challenge.  The last week I have given a lot of thought to how to continue the momentum and level of productivity.  I decided to join Lisa Call's Master Class.  It is a year long class with a group of artists working with Lisa to take their art and their business to the next level. She has been my coach for the last nine months which has been great and I have been making many changes to my business and life.  I think this new layer of group energy will be awesome.  She has two more spots left in the class! The class doesn't begin until March.  So, tomorrow, the plan is to make a collage of the month's paintings.  If I can not fit all thirty, I will at least do my favorite.  Then, I will be thinking of how I want to move forward and will share my plan with you then.  I have several commissions coming up including a pet portrait, a house portrait including two of the children, and a large portrait of a man for his family.  That should be a good start! Then there is all the business stuff and is so important but often gets lost in all the paint and paintbrushes! I will be getting my taxes together, recording receipts, working on my calendar, inventory, and newsletter.  And getting some of that paint off the hard wood floors. :-(  Thank you for joining me!

Roadrunner Thirty Paintings In Thirty Days Day Sixteen by Norma Wilson

Road Runner

© Norma Wilson, original oil on panel 5" by 7" 

100.

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Beep Beep!  For some reason, my journey into abstraction made me think of roadrunner.  Do you see it?  I have always wanted to get creative with the paint left on my palette and decided to use a knife.

What fun!  

The North End Thirty Paintings In Thirty Days Day Thirteen by Norma Wilson

The North End

© Norma Wilson, original oil on canvas  8" by 10" 

295.

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Oh boy, I am feeling the burn of this thirty in thirty marathon!  Partly because I have a week coming up that I won't be able to paint so I am trying to get those paintings completed as well.  I had some fun tonight doing something that I have wanted to try with my leftover paint on my palette.  I will
try again tomorrow and share them with you next week.  TGIF!

Norma Wilson Original Oil Fruit Still Life Pomegranate Food Art Painting

Three Pomegranates
 © Norma Wilson, original oil on canvas 8" by 16" 

359.

Available Through Gallery

Stravitz 30th Street Gallery, Virginia Beach

757.961.7509 

This month, my oil group worked on pomegranates.  It was a great lesson in lost and found edges and all the nuances that make a pomegranate different than a tomato and and apple. Pomegranates are very lumpy and have a very hard exterior with lots of markings.  It was fun to paint and eat too!  I did this ahead of teaching my class and did another one in stages along with my class.  I think painting one that is cut may be in future.  Hope you have a wonderful day.  Thanks for stopping by!

Norma Wilson Original Oil Irish Landscape Country Road Impressionism Painting Art

Kerry Road

  © Norma Wilson, original oil on canvas 10" by 10" 

325.

Available Through Gallery

Some of my fondest memories in my life are of time spent in Ireland, my mother's birthplace.  I enjoyed painting this road and imagine myself on a day's venture off to photograph some cows or sheep!  More paintings to paint at every turn. :-)

Norma Wilson Original Oil Sea Gull Beach Light Birds Coastal Seascape Painting Art

Soft Landing

  © Norma Wilson, original oil on canvas 11" by 14" 

395.

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Often, I am drawn to dramatic light contrasts and loved this gull's proud looking

stance.  I am pleased with painting and the soft colors seen in the shadows.  Hope you are having a wonderful day!  So happy you stopped by.

Thirty Paintings In Thirty Days! -Day Twenty Seven

Just Ducky!

6" by 6" original oil on panel

150.

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Can't believe it is day twenty-seven of the thirty day challenge!  About midway through,  I sometimes feel like I must have a screw loose somewhere but then I 

move past it and look back at what I have accomplished and realize how much I have grown in many ways.  I get more accomplished in other areas of my life and find that I stretch myself to paint some things that I have put off and instead of over analyzing, I just get it done.  I highly recommend it as a discipline.  Even if you don't commit to painting one a day, spending time at the easel each day is a great practice.   As I move beyond this challenge, I am making a commitment to myself to go into my studio for at least two hours a day Monday through Friday.  Even if there is no plan for a new piece, I find that being in my creative space can sometimes inspire me to do something, I wasn't even thinking about. Thank you for checking in with me!

Thirty Paintings In Thirty Days! - Day Twenty Six

Marsh Wren

6" by 6" original oil on panel

150.

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I began this painting with a wash of red paint in acrylic.  After it dried, I went to work with oils focusing on the darks and creating a strong contrast between the background and the subject's values.  I had so much fun.  I just love painting light!  I also focused on using colorful grays for relief to the brighter colors.  I do love birds!  Have you ever seen one of these birds perched out in the marsh?