Prismatic Layers

Prismatic Layers
In a quest for the perfect name, I did some research about conch and sea shells in general. One phrase struck a cord – prismatic layers. Basically a shell is calcium carbonate which brings to mind a white gray chalky looking mineral supplement, or maybe the white skeletons of long dead corals washed up on the beach. “Prismatic layers” aptly describes the hues of my Queen Conch shells.

42×30″
Oil on stretched canvas
Black Metal canvas floater frame
Gallery wrapped edges – painted solid gray
Original $2394

Signed limited edition print available in 8.5×11.9″ Large $125

Keywords: conch, shell, snail
Colors: white, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, blue, multicolor

Macaws, Interrupted

Macaws, Interrupted
Two macaws sit close together on branch with their backs turned as if they had been conversing privately. Something drew their attention; they paused to look over their shoulders to see what it was. It is hard to believe the chatty parrots stopped for even a moment.

The red macaw is a Red-and-green Macaw, also known as the Green-winged Macaw (Ara chloropterus). The blue macaw is a Blue-and-yellow Macaw, also known as the Blue-and-gold Macaw (Ara ararauna).

44×22”
Oil on stretched canvas
Black Metal canvas floater frame
Gallery wrapped edges – painted turquoise
Original $1839

Signed limited edition print available in 6.5×13” Large $125

Keywords: bird, avian, parrot, macaw
Colors: blue, turquoise, red, green

Swept Along

Swept Along
Deep in the heart of the mundi, a flash of blue and green sweeps regally by. Is that a peacock on Bonaire? Strutting about with the goats and cruising past the giant cactus on a Bonairean kunuku (ranch) are these birds which I have generally associated with tropical lush greenness. Unlike the stereotypical peacock pose, this guy has his tail feathers down and trailing behind – soft and flowing. An almost monochromatic, simple background accentuates the long line of the tail feathers with the horizontal lines of the building, walkway and strip of rocky ground.

48×30”
Oil on stretched canvas
Black Metal canvas floater frame
Gallery wrapped edges – painted turquoise
Original $2736

Signed limited edition print available in 8×13” Large $125

Keywords: bird, avian, peacock
Colors: blue, turquoise, green, gray

Wading Flamingo

Wading Flamingo
This is a very tall, narrow panel like a window into the flamingo’s world. A single flamingo is ankle deep in the shallow tidal pools along the shore. The high noon sun has eliminated most of the shadows but that cast by the flamingo’s neck on its back. The flamingo’s bright plumage glows with color in the strong sunlight.

This painting depicts a flamingo at life size, up close and personal, but unafraid.

18×46″
Oil on stretched canvas
Black metal canvas floater frame
Gallery wrapped edges – painted solid light blue
Original $1573

Signed limited edition print available in 16×6.3″ Special $155

Keywords: flamingo, bird, avian, beach
Colors: orange, beige, blue, gray

Chogogo

Chogogo
Chogogo is the local name for flamingo. This flamingo searches the water’s surface in the dimming light of evening. The heat of the day is over and the turquoise waters have darkened.

26×36”
Oil on stretched canvas
Black metal canvas floater frame
Gallery wrapped edges – painted solid color
Original $1778

Signed limited edition print available in 8.3×11.5” Large $125

Keywords: flamingo, bird, seabird
Colors: pink, orange, turquoise, blue

Sunset Brandaris

Sunset Brandaris
Boats gently rock in the calm ocean as the sun sets beyond the tip of Bonaire. The outline of Brandaris in the north of the island can still be seen in the distance. The sun sets in the clouds gathered at the horizon with a fire like glow but the sea has already cooled to dusk.

24×40”
Oil on stretched canvas
Black metal canvas floater frame
Gallery wrapped edges – painted
Original $1824

Signed limited edition print available in 7.9×13” Large $125

Keywords: sunset, ocean, sky, dusk, boats
Colors: yellow, orange, red, purple

Tiger Lily

Tiger Lily
A tiger lily blossom is much like the face of a bird – overlapping petals or feathers surround the center or eye. Colors are intense or even more so than a parrot. This painting has blown the blossom up beyond big yet even the limits of the canvas cannot contain the entire flower. Fun and bold just as a tiger lily should be.

30×40”
Oil on stretched canvas
Black metal canvas floater frame
Gallery wrapped edges – painted a solid orange-yellow
Original $2280

Signed limited edition print available in 8.5×11.5″ Large $125

Keywords: plant, flower, flora, floral
Colors: yellow, orange, red, green

1885 Pueblo Novo

1885 Pueblo Novo
The ruin of an old tower house is fondly recognized by many locals on Bonaire. A friend visiting my studio just a day after I finished this painting said, “Is that the house in Nikiboko?” I was pleased he recognized it so I made a point to research the history of this iconic house to share.

The tower house was probably built in the early 20th century but potentially the inscription found on the building “1885 Pueblo Novo” indicates the year the original house was built. The style of the house is a “Cas di Hadrey” (house with a porch) with a square tower. The painting shows the window on the bottom floor of the tower and the sky can be glimpsed through the upper window casement. Shadows within the lower room suggest stairs and an upper floor but it is not safe to enter it. This house is listed by the government in Historic Monuments of Bonaire in 1987.

The patchy colors in greys, pinks, and peaches seem to be part of the concrete and local limestone wall. It doesn’t appear to be layers of paint but maybe minerals that have leached out of the natural materials over the years.

48×24”
Oil on stretched canvas
Black metal canvas floater
Gallery wrapped – solid neutral grey edges
Original $2189

Signed limited edition print available in 13×6.51″ Large $125

Keywords: building, window, wall
Colors: grey, earth, gray, mauve, peach

A set of two new flamingo paintings join the group. Originally intended as a set of three with Flamingo Hearts, the second and third painting came together in way that doesn’t quite fit with Flamingo Hearts. They all have a similar color scheme which means they would easily co-exist in the same space but not together.

I love working in squares since they can be displayed in vertical or horizontal alignments on a wall. In this case, if presented horizontally the eyes of the flamingos point in interesting directions. With faces together, the eyes point outward away from each other, looking at the watchers. Faces apart and they are contemplating each other. An interesting display decision, I haven’t hung them in my gallery space yet so I don’t know what feels right to me.

The expression of the flamingo’s body and neck is a little more coy with the soft fullness of the body behind the neck.

20×20″
Oil on stretched canvas
Black metal canvas floater frame
Original $760

Signed limited edition print available in 11×11″ Large $125

Keywords: flamingo, bird, heart
Colors: coral, red, orange, brown

Flamingo to the Left

Is this flamingo coiled in watchful repose, or waiting to spring into movement? He seems less than restful but not particularly worried about my presence.

We’ve had some recent rains on Bonaire which should bring our local flamingos and egrets back to the salinas near town. Maybe some more chances for close-up photos of all the feathered ones although part of the road is closed off while construction is done on an intersection further on.

20×20″
Oil on stretched canvas
Black metal canvas floater frame
Original $760

Signed limited edition print available in 11×11″ Large $125

Keywords: flamingo, bird, heart
Colors: coral, red, orange, brown