Canyon Spring

Well...here is the last painting of the fall miniature season. After this I'm going to rest my eyes on larger canvasses! (I've already ordered 300lb paper for winter). This spring canyon is 2.5 x 2.5" and was a BEAR to paint! I had no idea landscapes could be so complex! But painting it was fun for it reminded me of the lovely trip we took out the to the Grand Canyon years ago. This was a photo not of the G.C. itself but of some lovely foothills beside it. The spring rains had prompted the grass to grow and accent that lovely orangey stone. I'm ready for another trip out west!

Say Cheese

What can I say. Did this character not BEG to be painted? I was snapping reference photos of him at the Shedd Aquarium when all of a sudden he stuck his tongue out at me! I suppose I would do the same. How would you like it if your personal space was violated by snap-happy tourists every single day?! This guy measures 1.875 x 1.875"