Norma Wilson Original Oil Kingfisher Bird Avian Wildlife Artist Painting Art

"Looking Back"

©Norma Wilson, original oil, 5" by 7"

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These Kingfisher birds sure look proud! I learned that many live near rivers and eat fish tunneling into the ground where they live. Or they live away from a river and eat small vertabrae. I have to share the photo below which is very impressive. Quite the catch!

Norma Wilson Original Oil Owl Bird Avian Wildlife Painting Art

"On Watch"

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

Have you ever seen an owl up close? I haven't and would love to experience that and especially one this beautiful. Hoping your day is a beautiful one!

Norma Wilson Original Pastel English Robin Bird Painting

"Ready For Take Off!"

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

Contact me for more information.

It has been at least ten years since I broke out my pastels and decided to paint with them.  Early on in my art career, I painted exclusively in pastel.  When I started painting in oils, I decided to devote my time to learning and growing as an oil painter and then made several moves that afforded me less space to work in several mediums.  I stuck to acrylic and oil. Now that I am home to my house in Chesapeake, I can spread out and have plenty of room! So I set up a pastel room. Below is the block in stage on a pastel board. I like to get some base colors that I see established and build from there. Usually after the main colors are in, I begin to work the darks more building up from there in a back and forth way adding in nuances of color and adjusting my drawing as needed.  It was amazing how comfortable I felt after being away from pastels so long.

I am excited to do more this week. As you can see, I had more than a few pastels 

just waiting for me to dive back in!

The Importance Of Having Your Own Website

Sparrow In The Light

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

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This little miniature is currently in the last hours of auction on dailypaintworks.com. If you click on the link above you can put in your bid. It is at a very low price so give it a try!

So why should artists have a web site? Well, most importantly, you need a place to exhibit your paintings and give people the opportunity to buy. I have been a member of www.Fineartstudioonline.com or FASO.com since 2007. It is an artists web site designed and run by artists. They have beautiful templates to choose from and it is SO easy to just upload your photos and information.  So much has changed since 2007 with so many options online now but I have still remained loyal to FASO because they have produced a really good product and have unsurpassed customer service. I use their help....alot! I have done special pages for time limited sales. I have wanted to personalize the way I wanted my pet portraits page to look and added my blog from another platform, blogspot, to my web site and also my print store on imagekind now is accessable directly from my web site. They have monthly art contests with prizes and good marketing advice and much more. You can choose a template that is compatible with cell phones with is really important these days when many people are looking up web sites on their phone when they are on the go. I have their gold plan which is their highest plan and have been very pleased. Twelve years without changing says a lot about this group and you can have a free month to give it a try. Tell them I sent you. Yes, I can get a free month if you sign up but I would send you there anyway. Once you have your web site and you get your business cards you are well on your way to being a professional. Next, you have to send people to your site. Nothing beats word of mouth and YOU promoting your work.  Go to www.faso.com for more info!

Taking Time Off From Your Studio

Wait For Me!!

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

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For me, taking time away from my studio and any thoughts of prepping for classes, marketing, sending emails, filing receipts, shopping for supplies, shipping paintings, etc. is a challenge. When things are hopping, putting time in seems imperative, and when things are slow....even more so. That is when you have to step up marketing efforts, organize your studio, find new avenues for getting your work out there etc. So how do you balance life as an artist and having a life beyond your business? I'd love to hear from fellow artists or anyone self employed on how you manage to take

time off. For years, I had a studio that was in a public space which was helpful to separate my work

from my home life. The flip side was that there were many distractions that come with having my space open to the public and fellow artists. Now I have the convenience of a home studio that beckons to me every time I pass it. :-) For today, since I worked all weekend, I have decided to blog,

and do a few business related emails and calls and then take the rest of the day off. Which will include laundry, cleaning my house, and a nice walk with Bailee around my neighborhood! 

Taking A Bow Thirty Paintings In Thirty Days Day Twenty five by Norma Wilson

Taking A Bow

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

350.

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Today I got into my studio at 11am and other than lunch and a couple of small breaks, I just 

finished up at 11pm.  See how this challenge gets me engaged in painting!  I worked in the morning on a commission that I will post in the next couple of days, began a landscape that wasn't grabbing me and then I wanted to paint a crow.  I had so much fun with this process of using both brush and palette knife and letting the process lead me, not knowing exactly how it would turn out.  I am very pleased and feel that I want to do another very soon!  Perhaps a companion crow.  I will post a better

picture taken outside.  At  night they are a little more golden and usually have a weird light in the upper right corner.  So only, five more paintings for this challenge. Any animal or subject that you'd like to see me paint?

Scarlet Tanager Thirty Paintings In Thirty Days Day Fourteen by Norma Wilson

Scarlet Tanager

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

150.

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So happy it's the weekend! Hope you have a great one and thanks so much for stopping by!

Norma Wilson Original Oil Bluebird Bird Aviary Painting Art

Anne's Bluebird

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

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This piece was commissioned by a collector as a companion to an English Robin she

purchased awhile back.  Do you have a subject that you would like me to paint?

If so, send me an email for more information.  Have a great weekend!

Thirty Paintings In Thirty Days! - Day Twenty Two

Female Cardinal

4" by 4" original oil on canvas

95.

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It would be hard to imagine a world without birds.  They are such a symbol of wonder and beauty surrounding us every day! 

Thirty Paintings In Thirty Days! -Day Seventeen

Keeping Watch

5" by 7" original oil on panel


150.


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This piece started out very different than it ended up.  The water was very light blue and did not highlight the power of this gull's expression.  He looks very alert and so the water now has more depth and I imagine he senses a change coming...perhaps a storm is coming. 

Norma Wilson Snow Scene Cardinal Bird Landscape Painting Art

Winter's Magic

11" by 14" original oil on canvas

395.

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This piece was December's demonstration for my oil group.  It was a nice subject to paint for the holidays.   Last night, I watched White Christmas which has been my tradition since I was a child. Something so magical when they pulled back the stage doors and it was snowing!  I still hope for

   snow on Christmas!  Have a fabulous week!

Thirty Paintings In Thirty Days! #24

House Sparrow

4" by 4" original oil on canvas

95. 

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I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment, while I was hoeing in a village garden, and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance that I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn.  ~Henry David Thoreau

So happy to be spending so much time in my studio doing what I love!  Hope you have a great weekend and I am so happy you stopped by!

Thirty Paintings In Thirty Days #21

Ducky

5" by 7" original oil on canvas

150.

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I love painting "alla prima", which means all at once.  Or at lease finishing a painting in one day.  It is a challenge to work the paint while the layers are still wet but it also is very gratifying and a great sense of accomplishment.  It is one of the things that draws people to paint outside.  You have to work quickly before the light changes and the paintings remain fresh and the impression of the moment is not lost.  I like to work in my studio using photos for inspiration but feel the same excitement.  I have been enjoying this challenge of so many paintings in such a short period of time as it helps me to not over think my subject choices as well.  The point is to get in there and paint!  Even if it means you find yourself wearing the paint quite  bit!  

Thirty Paintings In Thirty Days! #13

Pinky

5" by 7" original oil on canvas

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Almost half way through this challenge.  It has been keeping me busy for sure.  I worked in my studio all weekend as I won't be able to paint the next couple of weekends.  I watched a couple of old movies and the paint was flying.  I really love the color combination on this and how continent she seems!  Hope you have a fantastic Monday!

Thirty PAINTINGS in Thirty Days Day #2

Catching Some Rays!

8" by 10" oil on canvas

275.

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I am excited to be joining the challenge to paint thirty paintings in thirty days! 

 Artist, Leslie Saeta. a fellow daily painter, got the ball rolling and does so many things to inspire her fellow artists.  I got started a day later than she did so will complete my challenge on October 1st.  

Today's painting is one of my favorite subjects.  Such tiny little creatures that spread such joy and wonder every day.  Hope you enjoy!

Norma Wilson Original Oil English Robin Bird Painting Art

English Lady

6" by 6" original oil on panel

150.

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"We do not remember days, we remember moments." ~Casare Pavese

    So many wonderful things about this time of year....like longer daylight hours and signs of spring!  It hasn't been felt as much in temperature this 

year but here in Virginia we are beginning to see the blooms on the trees, the 

daffodils in bloom, and I always get a sense that the birds are feeling the excitement!  They seem to be chirping more!  Here at the beach, people are

coming to the ocean with their dogs even more and brining the little ones out

in strollers.  Hope your days are full of signs of spring and rebirth!  Thank you

for stopping by to visit my blog!

Bluebird for You! Bird Painting Aviary Art

Bluebird For You!

5" by 7" original oil on panel

150.

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I love the bright colors of a bluebird and I have painted them often.  He looks proud puffing his chest out for all the world to admire!  Today was a much better day for ducks and geese with quite a drenching of rain that we very much needed.  My cucumbers are soaking it all up! :-)  Thanks so much for checking in with me!

Norma Wilson Original Oil Marsh Wren Bird Aviary Art

Marsh Wren

6" by 6" original oil on gallery wrap canvas with sides painted.

I enjoyed painting this bird with all the subtle browns and colors all lit up in the sunlight. I can only imagine the sense of peace these creatures must feel. If only we spent our days focused on the moment that intensely. The times that we do like when we are watching a sunset, walking in the woods, looking into the eyes of a loved one, paying attention to our own breath, bring a feeling of peace and connectness. With practice and attention we can increase those moments throughout the day. Hope your day today is filled with many peaceful moments!