Saturday 11 June 2011

Beautiful Birds (28): Of Owls and Corvids

© Caroline Gill ... a work in progress

So much has been happening and I have got very behind with my posts, so this will be something of a round-up.

I wonder if you have been enjoying Springwatch on the BBC? I have particularly pleased to see the Puffins (probably my favourite bird) and the Short Eared Owl on Skomer. Fellow blogger, Adam Tilt, posted a terrific photo of the Little Owl he watched on the island. 

I have had great fun in my art class attempting my first 'stylised impasto' piece in oils: I have yet to finish it, but I hope you like what I think is a European Eagle Owl, painted from a photo I took of a rescue bird some time ago.

Speaking of creatures in flight, we thoroughly enjoyed an event at the recent Hay Festival with Mark Cocker, author of 'Crow Country' (5 star IMHO ... see my Amazon bookshelf in the right side bar here), in conversation with Rosie Boycott and fellow Guardian 'country diarist', the mountaineer, Jim Perrin. I ventured to ask a question at the end about the place - or lack of it - of adverbs or adjectives in this kind of tight writing, much to the apparent amusement or bemusement of some of those in the room!




7 comments:

J said...

One of my (many) regrets is that I cannot draw or paint to save my life. Looks like your piece is coming along nicely. I read Mark Cocker's book, "Birders: Tales of a Tribe", a while back, and would recommend that, too.

Adam Tilt said...

That's looking like a fabulous painting Caroline. Like Jeremy it's something that I wish I could do as well. Thanks for the link too.

Crafty Green Poet said...

Wonderful painting of the owl there, Caroline!

We're loving Springwatch too!

I went to hear mark Cocker reading from Crow Country at Edinburgh Book festival a couple of years back. Excellent event!

Mary said...

Love your art! Wonderful painting.

Caroline Gill said...

Thank you all for your kind comments on my owl, who now has an amber eye. Still a little way to go before s/he's completed!

Mary said...

I like your work in progress...hope to see it when it is done.

Em Parkinson said...

It's wonderful Caroline, I love it. Did you ever post the finished article?