Wednesday, August 05, 2009

american goldfinch no. 529

american goldfinch
this is my first piece for nahcotta's 6th enormous tiny show! it was inspired by my family's elderly neighbor mrs blake in maine. when she passed on she left my family her bird books chronicling her sitings in the seacoast new england area from the 1920's onward. fascinating! i love her perfect penmanship with notes of places i know-- "large flock at seapoint beach".

i'm experimenting here trying to combine my more intuitive painting style alongside a more planned out composition. it's been a bit of a struggle and growing pains honestly, but it's good to be back in the studio sweating it out. painting is my medicine. and as i read recently somewhere "you learn how to make the work by making the work" and there's no getting around that one.

11 comments:

amy said...

gorgeous. i love the colours and the inspiration.

ale said...

beautifull!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kerstin Svendsen said...

i know i'm going to like this series as i love the first one...

Keuter said...

i love this little bird, i can't wait to see more of this series. kt

britt said...

he's gorgeous mati.
that struggle can be such a inspiration sucker. but i bet the best work comes after that climb!

Liz said...

Love that goldfinch... and oh boy did reading those words come at the exact right moment... been duking it out with myself at the painting table for days now... and now I have a new perspective... making the work

Andi said...

Too cute!!! It's going to be a hit for sure.

Sleepandhersisters said...

what a wonderful book to be given... love the painting and I love the number (odd numbers sit well with me) and a very true quote.

Lori said...

She is great- I love her!

Katrina said...

love this, mati. and what a treasure to inherit those careful birding notes. wonderful.

maryoplinger said...

Hi Mati-
You got his eye just right.