Wednesday, November 13, 2013

129. Morning Watch


'Morning Watch'
6" x 6"
oil on gessoboard

This feels very different for me (thus making me more nervous than normal about posting), but the in-house critic approves, so here it is. :)

You know I love me some saturated color, but I've lately been on the hunt for a way to capture the amazing morning fog that we experience in the fall and winter months. (Who am I kidding, it can be foggy year-round in these parts.) Anyway, the fog and sun combo this morning was great, so after dropping the oldest off at school, the younger two and I took a little photo-seeking tour of the neighborhood. I almost always head to the dikelands of the Columbia River, partly because it's the only flat land around here and it reminds me of home, and mostly because the way the sun spreads across the marshes and canals with the ridges and foothills rising in the distance; well, it can be pretty stunning. 

So, pretty as all that was, the highlight of our little jaunt was easily the sight of these beautiful bald eagles. Two! I've seen lone bald eagles several times in my life, but I don't ever recall seeing two at once! It was cool. 
My boys thought so too. :) 

Here's my inspiration photo: 

sold


6 comments:

Kellie Chasse said...

Lovely Nora! I love seeing the original picture that inspired you. Those darn house critics huh! :)

Marcela Strasdas said...

Well done! I like your painting way more than the original photograph!!

Johnna Schelling said...

Awesome painting and thank you for posting the inspiration. It shows how an artist can turn something interesting into something powerful, ramp the sensory/mood and truly create art. WOW!

Anonymous said...

Nora, I really love what you did with background. The colors, brushstrokes. You nailed the fog. The whole composition is great. Capturing fog on the canvas has been on my mind a lot lately so seeing this is very inspirational.
Really like your stuff.

Cheers,
Donna in Wilsonville

Nora Bergman said...

Thanks for all your comments - made my day. :)

Anette (Ahlholm) Power said...

I love the way you enhanced the effect of the fog in your painting and improved on the composition!! Seems like that's an important step for us artists...make what we see better:)