Life (and painting), Interrupted!

Post-surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston 12/21/16

December 16, 2016, I took a fall in Florida which busted me up pretty well. I put myself on a plane a few days after visiting the ER, and learning that I had two severe fractures (insurance does not cover me out of state), so I made it (after many painful plane delays) to Boston. I had surgery on my left knee (broken lateral condyle of the femur), and had a cast put on my right arm (broken olecranon of the ulna). I am and have been non-ambulatory for this time... and, surprise! ... I cannot paint!
Therefore my Daily Paintworks links will no longer work here, and, I am not posting new paintings!
Apologies .... for now I am focusing on recovery and planning some very exciting things for the future with my horse.

Shadow Slope. 6" x 6", oil on gessobord

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One of my favorite places I used to walk my dog to, in Chatham on Cape Cod. The shadows would sweep across the sloping grass and across the marsh below, always creating a cool view. 

Cody Canyon, 5" x 7", oil on gessobord

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This was done from a rather old photo, one of many I kept after living in Cody, WY for a few years. I painted it rather quickly, thinking of how it would be if I were standing there right now and had only a short time before the sun moved and changed the lighting in this small canyon. I really liked the way the sage glows... probably only recognizable as sagebrush to me! No matter; this was about the light and glow and purple-orange-ness of the rocks.

Sunday Sunsheep, 6" x 6", oil on gessobord

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I was entranced by the soft colors on this little goat's fur... while it's easy to get caught up in facial details etc I still tried for a loose look and feel.

Sharing Secrets, 6" x 6", oil on gessobord

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These two horses are best friends and do everything together. They are totally unrelated in their genetics but they act like twin sons of different mothers, and they do look alike - other than one being chestnut and the other bay. They are quite funny to watch eating, lounging, rolling, walking or just standing - together.

"Rumblers", 12" x 24", canvas digital print

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I am always inspired by horses running or playing or otherwise interacting. These two were about to run off with energy building... I tried to capture some of that energy through the brushwork.
This is available as a fine art print.

Surf Runners, Digital Canvas Print, 8" x 12"

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Sanderlings are the super-active, tiny shorebirds that you see chasing the waves back and forth along the shore.
I've spent many hours watching them scurry, taking lots of photos of poor quality! Luckily I can amend things by painting them!

Sunlit Siesta, 10" x 10", oil on cradled gessobord

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I absolutely love the view I get at times from my little barn apartment in Florida. I have many photos of the horses, pastures and giant live oaks with the dangling spanish moss, but this view intrigued me the most. Although the vegetation was in its typical desaturated, fall state, the sunlight brought to it a stunning mixture of soft lavenders and oranges. On top of the gorgeous colors, I wanted to experiment with just HOW to go about capturing the drifting light and super-highlighting across the two Paso Fino horses next door. I settled on this approach and am very happy with it. 

Sunlit Siesta, 10" x 10", oil on cradled gessobord

View of the 2" cradling, allowing the painting to be hung without a frame.

Early Risers, Oil on deep cradled gessobord, 10" x 10"

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Yet another image from the view of my studio in Eastham. These birds are "merely" gulls but they could have been exotic parrots for the orange glow they got from the rising sun this morning.  Fall clouds behind them just amplified the colors of the morning.

Early Risers, Oil on deep cradled gessobord, 10" x 10" (view of cradling)

This view shows the 2" cradling. It can be hung without  frame for a clean presentation.

Waitin' on a Song (Song Sparrow), 6" x 6", oil on panel

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Song sparrows may seem dull to the everyday man, but they are full of spirit and have a captivating song. I love hearing them as they announce the day.

Idle Threat (Cardinal) 10" x 10", oil on cradled gessobord

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Who doesn't love a brilliantly-colored male cardinal!? They really stand out now as the fall foliage changes hues. I redid this background many times, finally settling on the colors I had seen in my most recent ride with my horse through the coastal shrub/woodland.

Songster (Song Sparrow), 6" x 6", oil on gessobord panel

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My summer studio just happens to be by the seaside in MA, and song sparrows, although somewhat dull in appearance, have a beautiful and (in my opinion) joyful trilling song that I got very accustomed to when I lived with my aging father, also fairly close to the shore. I've wanted to paint the guys for awhile so finally took some awful photos and embellished for this painting.

Blue Monday, 10" x 10", oil on deep cradled gessoboard

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A beautiful morning and this shell fisherman brought his little boat out right in front of me. I didn't have to exaggerate the colors. Perhaps he may consider his work a grind but it created a few nice work days for me! This piece is the first larger one at 10" X 10", and took longer to do than the 6 x 6's, but the colors were so compelling that I felt it deserved a bigger showcase. Also I painted this on a cradled board so there isn't necessarily a need to frame.

The cradle is painted a neutral grey although it does look black here.

Donkey Duo, 6" x 6", oil on panel

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A friend has a number of mini donkeys on her horse farm. I took a few photos while there a few years ago and have wanted to paint them ever since. There is no way that is is my last donkey painting!

Perched Pause (Chickadee), 6" x 6", oil on panel

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I love the way light works on white animals (or anything really)... sometimes it is so bright that you can't even see a hint of a shadow. That was the case here but I pushed it a bit and was happy with the result.

"Kodiak Splash", watercolor, 22" X 30"

Available as a fine art print. Email at the address on THIS page

I did this piece years ago but it is my piece for today. because I have never posted it anywhere (I don't think!). I painted it for a friend who had visited Kodiak Island in Alaska, just to watch bears. He gave me a couple of nice photographs and they served as reference. At the time I painted this, my skills in wet-on-wet watercolor were better than they are now! I was very pleased with the management of looseness - almost abstract - in the water, and not over-saturating the blues, as the water is very dark there.

"Overseeing" (Titmouse), 6" x 6", oil on panel

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The day was pale ochre and gray… at least from a bird’s perspective in the trees. This soft palette was appealing to me while I was watching chickadees chirp, flit, and rest, among the oaks. Spots of yellow from the flowering oak catkins lended just a hint of interest to the image. This is a Black-capped chickadee from my old backyard. I am still working from photos - I hope to move to plein aire, at some point!

Fat Chickadee, 6" x 6", oil on panel

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​The day was pale ochre and gray... at least from a bird's perspective in the trees. This soft palette was appealing to me while I was watching chickadees chirp, flit, and rest, among the oaks. Spots of yellow from the flowering oak catkins lended just a hint of interest. This is a Black-capped chickadee from my old backyard. This was done from a rough photo - I hope to move to plein aire, at some point!

Cove Boat #1, 6" x 6", oil on panel

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I am lucky enough to have a summer/fall studio in a friend's house that overlooks Town Cove between Orleans and Eastham, MA. I see the fishing boats going out each day and the water is ever-changing. The sun as it moves from east to west makes for some compelling sights. I guess it is inevitable that I would want to paint a few boats while here. The biggest challenge is not to nit-pick too much, which is definitely my tendency!

Back Door Hydrangea, 6" X 6", oil on panel

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My second painting for Daily Paintworks. Trying to keep it loose. A hydrangea bush behind my friend's frame shop had such crazy color a month or so back, I photographed it and knew it would become a painting of some sort. Most of the hydrangeas here on Cape Cod are the classic blue which I DO love, but this one in the sunlight that day captured me for that moment.

Hummer Girl, 6" X 6" oil on panel

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My first Daily Painting!
Nothing beats a hummingbird if you love color and birds and flowers. This little guy (I mean girl) visited the feeder and garden frequently. With their microsecond wingbeats, I wasn't sure initially how to approach the painting to create the feeling of that motion, but I was happy with this solution. I plan to do more like this, featuring her, or perhaps some of the Rufous hummers I had at my feeders when I lived in Wyoming!

Joining the Daily Painters!!

BIG NEW UPDATE!! I have not been keeping up with this blog as I have been somewhat distant to fine art for the last number of years, working instead on my science illustration and murals. Today I am embarking on a new adventure and joining the Daily Paintworks site, painting one small painting a day. I will be posting in the evenings for publication on the site the for the following day. I will also post to my Facebook art page. I'm excited to produce some new fresh work!

New England Marine Mammals, digital print, 13" X 19"

Illustrative piece available as a digital print.

unframed $90

Penguins of the World, digital print, 36" X 11"

These penguins are from an exhibit at the Toronto Zoo, as well as at the New England Aquarium, though I have altered it for my own portfolio.
In the Toronto Zoo exhibit the penguins here are actual size, meaning: the Emporer is 4 feet tall!

It has also been used in another format for a veterinary medicine textbook. Some of the penguins had to be increased or decreased in size, according to the newest data worldwide.

This image is available as an art print, measuring 11" high X 36" wide with a 3/4 " white border, and is printed on velvet fine art paper with quality inks. It sells for $55 plus shipping/handling (usually= $10). Please email barb@barbaraharmon.com to place an order.

Marsh Solitude, 22" X 12", giclee from original watercolor (SOLD)

A Great Blue Heron.
This image is available as a giclee print.
$175 framed
(unframed sold out)

Indian Summer Wolf, watercolor, 13" X 19", SOLD

From my time spent in Wyoming. Available as a digital print, 13" X 19", on velvet fine art paper, $65

Race Point Trekking, 18.5" X 30", watercolor, SOLD

This image was my first to get into the prestigious "Arts for the Parks" national competition. It depicts the great dune areas off Provincetown at Cape Cod National Seashore.

There is a nearly-invisible coyote trekking across the morning landscape. This is available as a giclee print.  $225 Unframed

Morning Sunsplash; Green Heron, 30" X 20", acrylic

One beautiful morning on Red River in Harwich Port, MA I found this heron fishing. Morning light and shadow provided a great backdrop for the algae, grass, and seaweed-covered mud banks where he prowled.

Original Acrylic framed. $1550

Red Tail in Flight, 35" X 24", acrylic SOLD

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Looser style than my typical work, I wanted to depict the motion of the hawk and its beautiful striking red tail which can usually only be seen from below if the light hits just right.

Original Acrylic on board
SOLD

The Goat Feeding, 18" X 24", acrylic, NFS

A painting for my good friends Jane and Vern, outside Saint Louis at their farm. The goats get fed grain every 3-4 days, and when they do it's a big deal. I painted this image from a video I took of the goats all running from the big pastures to the barn. The last gal, pregnant I believe, straggling behind with her ears flopping as she goes.... and Vern just chuckling all the while.

Ragazza, 9" X 12", acrylic SOLD

This is a friend's 19 (?) year-old cat. I believe her name may be Bella Ragazza, meaning "beautiful girl" in Italian. I have to say though, I wish I'd gotten a video of her, as she has the cutest, short little legs ever! She reminded me a lot of my old bow-legged, fat black boy, Spaghetti, aka Spaz.

Zoe and Miguel, 8.5 X 11.5, watercolor, NFS

"Zoe" is my California friend's first young Warmblood; she stands over 17 hands and she is not only a beautiful mover, but she is very smart too. A handful!
Miguel has taken exceptional care of her, and my friend will give this painting as a gift to him. It wass actually not quite finished here but I sent it off without photographing (my corrections to hind hooves, feet and general tightening)!

Bubble Boys, 12 1/2" X 21 1/2", acrylic, SOLD

More Sanderlings! All my Sanderlings seem curiously ... in bright sunlight and ...on the beach....
Yes, I can "work" and hang out at the beach too.....!!!
Original acrylic
SOLD

Heron in Marshgrass, 8" X 11", acrylic, SOLD

This Great Blue Heron appears (digitally) in my mural for Long Island (L.I. National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center at Wertheim). Trying for that loose style, but struggling when trying to depict a specific species.
Original acrylic, framed $85

If the Road Forks, 7" X 10", original acrylic, SOLD

Colorful morning in Harwich, MA.

Acrylic

North Bay, 8" X 10", original acrylic SOLD

A view of Pleasant Bay with a tad of artistic license.

Little Trodden Path, 4" X 6", SOLD

Peeps Parade, image size 8" X 24" (original SOLD)

This image is available as a fine art giclee print.
Unframed $100

Cape Light, image size 12" X 27"

This image is available as a fine art giclee print.
Framed (frame has small discoloration in 1-2 spots)
$155

Sanderling Surf Snack, 14" X 11" SOLD

More Peeps!
Sold the one below this so had to replace.
The beach is currently a bit grey and misty, so these pics are a good reminder of the sunny summer.

Peep Flying 2, 12" x 12" SOLD

Sanderling in flight....
love to emphasize the sand-colored reflected light on the belly.

Peep Flying. 8" X 10", SOLD

When I was an undergrad at UC Berkeley I took Ornithology, and a guy in the class called the sanderlings (the little guys running along the shoreline) "peeps". Cute name for the cutest little birds. Always active - almost like hummers. Most of the time they are feeding along the waves (I got a great pic of one nearly submerged by a wave - generally they escape in time) but then they will suddenly fly off. I was catching rays and great views of these guys last week. Love 'em!

Schoolie Bluefin, 18" X 36", acrylic

I have decided to rework this. Stay tuned.

Little Dune Grasslands, 12" X 18" SOLD

Some of the spring mornings this year have been superb; this morning was obviously as bright and clear as you ever get. A first painting after being away illustrating scientific, medical and biological things for some time. I really want to get to some fish, however.
I am going to post my tuna from two years ago - to inspire myself.

Young Yellowfin, 12" X 24", acrylic

I want to paint more tuna and other fast, shiny sportfish like these!
Fun.

Canvas giclee print, framed $195
Original SOLD

Marsh View North, 9" X 12", acrylic

The same area as the previous painting; Forest Beach supplies lots of bits of inspiration.

This is in a beautiful classic gold frame
$175

"Stripes", 8" X 8", SOLD

Seems I haven't been able to return to the winter theme.
Spring will be arriving soon, and perhaps I will just skip over it after all. Old photos of summer scenes have been helpful in reminding me that summer will indeed return as well!


SOLD

"Chicory and Vines", 8" X 10" SOLD

It's January 31, and I needed a glimpse of summer.