Big Trouble

You're In Big Trouble Now, 8x8, Oil Painting on Hardboard, SOLD

The expression on this little guy's face is just priceless! With his wings folded behind his back, he looks like he's giving you "that" look. Like you've broken curfew......or been sent to the principal's office......not that I would recognize that from personal experience but I have heard stories........ *big grin*

I'm Still Burnin'

Doing The Neutron Dance, 8x8, Oil Painting on Hardboard

These two were running away from me at a stoplight. I know, who can imagine that any bird would run away from a crazy woman holding a big, black, boxy thing in front of her face! I caught them mid-stride and all I could see was two crows dancing. Being from the disco era myself, I could hear the Pointer Sisters singing "Neutron Dance" as I was painting. So here they are, just burnin' Doing The Neutron Dance!

Hey, Posh, Look At Me!

Bend It Like Beckham, 8x8, Oil Painting on Hardboard, SOLD

Found these guys in a parking lot eating an apple. The one on the right was rolling it around. I thought it looked like they were playing soccer! So here they are, bending it like Beckham.

This painting is now in the possession of a friend who is moving from Wichita. I will miss her. We have been painting together, off and on, for several years now. Pat, I hope you are enjoying your new home. Please come back to visit!

Work It!

Strut, 8x8, Oil Painting on Hardboard, SOLD

I found this little guy in a parking lot in Wichita, Kansas. Such a confidant crow! He could be working the runway. I have named this painting "Strut" because he is seriously strutting his stuff!

It's getting to be crow time again here in the midwest. I have had to rely on photos taken a few months ago for my painting references. That's not a problem as I have thousands of them! But it's so exciting to find new crow situations. Looking forward to future photo safaris!

Taxi Driver?

Are You Looking At Me?, 8x8, Oil Painting on Hardboard, SOLD

I found this little guy behind a Taco Tico. He had a few friends with him but he was looking at me, eyeball to eyeball. (Or camera lens!) I could just hear him thinking, (in a De Niro voice) "Are You Looking At Me?" I know the quote is actually, "You talkin' to me?" but this is fantasy, right? :-)

Flight Of The Crow

I Believe I Can Fly, 8x8, Oil Painting on Hardboard

I thought this guy looked like he was an ever vigilant guardian over this field, eyes scanning the horizon. I caught him mid-flap with my camera. I love how his head is all encased within his body from this angle. He is a very confidant crow so I named this painting "I Believe I Can Fly".

Jump In!

Black Birds Can't Jump, 8x8, Oil Painting on Hardboard, SOLD

I found this crow in the parking lot of the mall in Manhattan, Kansas. It had snowed a few days earlier and there were little spots of snow cover left. This little guy was walking along and just hopped over the pile of snow. He looked so cute with his wings back, just barely aloft! So here he is - "Black Birds Can't Jump."

I have to say, "Thank You!" to Leslie Saeta and her 30 in 30 challenge. There are so many talented artists participating! And the comments have been really wonderful!

It's A Bird, It's A Plane!

Who Needs A Cape?, 8x8, Oil Painting on Hardboard, SOLD

The look in this guy's eyes was so perfect. With the wind under his wings, his pose looked like a superhero to me! This painting's name is, "Who Needs A Cape?" Holy black bird, Batman!

You Know How To Whistle, Don't You?

Put Your Lips Together And Blow-Bogey & Bacall, 8x8, Oil Painting on Hardboard, SOLD

This couple looked so protective of each other, like a pair of lovers from an old black and white movie so I named them "Put Your Lips Together And Blow-Bogey & Bacall." She looks like a strong female even though her mate is there to back her up. I am woman, hear me roar!

A Female's Perspective

Do These Feathers Make My Butt Look Big?, 8x8, Oil Painting on Hardboard, SOLD

This crow just turned her head and looked at me. I swear she was asking this question, "Do These Feathers Make My Butt Look Big?" I think she looks fabulous, don't you?

Boogie On Down

The Electric Slide, 8x8, Oil Painting on Hardboard, SOLD

We found this crow behind a restaurant hanging out with a bunch of other crows on their dumpster. He started scooting along the edge and it looked like he was dancing! So I have named this painting, "The Electric Slide." Boogie-oogie-oogie 'til you just can't boogie no more!

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Java Juice

Is That Decaf?, 8x8, Oil Painting on Hardboard, SOLD

I took the photo of this little guy in Manhattan, Kansas. He was standing at a stop light looking like he was waiting to cross the street. There happened to be a coffee cup standing next to him and he seemed to be considering whether he should have a sip! It was just too precious not to paint.

I have committed to doing Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 for the month of September. I'm already a day late (actually several) and a dollar short :-) Anyway, here is my first submission and it's kind of a cheat because I didn't paint it today but I did paint it in a day. I have had family in for my Featured Artist Exhibition and have not had the chance to get in my studio. I will do better tomorrow!

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Upcoming Exhibition

Final Friday at Gallery XII

Over the last few months I have been getting ready for my first featured artist show at Gallery XII in Wichita, Kansas. It's finally here! I hang the show tomorrow, barring catastrophe, and the opening reception is Friday. It's been quite a week. Along with getting all my ducks (and crows) in a row, I have been on standby for jury duty. I am all for doing my patriotic duty but why did it have to be this week?????? As of tonight, I am excused until the next time Uncle Sam calls, woohoo! Praying I make a good showing on Friday...

Alpine Melody

Yodel-Le-He-Hoo, 8x8, Oil Painting on Hardboard, SOLD

This guy is an older bird and he was really giving me the eye as I photographed him. I think he was warning everyone to be on the lookout! I prefer to think of him as singing so I named him "Yodel-Le-He-Hoo". Doesn't he look like he belongs in the Alps with Heidi?

Mine!

Mine!, 8x8, Oil Painting on Hardboard, SOLD

My crow fetish has affected my husband! He is now on the lookout for crows and has found many of these little guys for me to photograph. He travels throughout the Wichita area while working and discovered that many crows liked to hang out at the rendering plant. It's kind of smelly but there were probably a hundred crows the morning of our safari. This little one was sitting on a piece of straw and seemed to be claiming it as her own. I have named the painting "Mine!"

Did Someone Open A Window?

I Feel A Draft, 8x8, Oil Painting on Hardboard, SOLD

This is another painting of the little guy who looks like Elvis. He turned to face the wind and his feathers just opened up. I love how ruffly he looks! This painting just screams autumn to me - the warm colors in the dried grass of the field and the lovely ebony of the crow. Hope you like!

I Did It My Way

Sinatra, 8x8, Oil Painting on Hardboard, SOLD

This crow just seemed to be screaming jazz. I could picture him wearing a fedora and tapping his foot to some 1960's rat pack beat. So I named him "Sinatra". I hope Old Blue Eyes would be pleased!

Elvis Has Left The Building

Hunka Hunka Burnin' Love, 8x 8, Oil On Gessoboard

My wonderful husband has taken me on many photo safaris in search of crows. We found this little guy in a field near our home. My husband pulled over and turned on the hazard lights. Luckily, this was a four lane, little traveled street! I got several shots out the window before we moved on. A friend of mine commented that she thought this guy looked like Elvis so I have named him "Hunka Hunka Burnin' Love". Hope you love him as much as I do!

My First Painting In A Day - "Hitchcock"

Hitchcock, 8x8, Oil Painting On Hardboard, SOLD

It all began while taking reference photos for a painting of birds on a telephone wire. I noticed that my photos of crows seemed to have humanistic personalities. I also became interested in the Daily Painting movement. I am not a quick painter and didn't have the luxury of painting every day, but I made a commitment (to myself) to try to paint a small painting in one day once a week. These wonderful crows seemed like a great place to start. This is my first "painting in a day". I have to admit, starting it was very intimidating! Did I mention that I am not a quick painter? But he just seemed to be saying, "I dare you to do it!" So here he is - I have named him "Hitchcock" in an homage to the movie The Birds.

The Journey Begins

Buckner & 63rd, 12x12, Oil on Canvas

Art is a journey.

It is a collection of experiences as unique as the individual creating it.

It begins with our first breath and ends with our last.

It is about finding beauty in every situation, even apparent ugliness,

and recording it for others to see.

                                       -Melinda J. Weis

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