Friday, January 28, 2011

Fine Art Friday- American Kestral


The American Kestrel
The Kestrel is a member of the falcon family and some of the most beautiful of all birds of prey.
We had a pair nesting in a bird box in our pasture for several years and I could watch them for hours.
They also keep the mice down. A Big plus+
This week I'd like to share with you a wood carving and a painting I have done of the American Kestrel. The painting was done in Gouache and actually done after I had finished the carving. I took this picture of it framed and the glass makes it look a bit fuzzy. Sorry
This is a wood carving I had done for a commission. I block it out of a solid piece of wood,(Gelutong or Tupelo Gum). Lay in the feather patterns and carve with a dremel. I then wood burn all the feathers to show all the detail. After sealing it I paint it with several washes of acrylic paint. The eyes are glass and I paint them from the back side.
  It takes me about 3 months to complete a piece like this and yes it was very expensive!
But my client was thrilled with the end results.

 
I spend many hours studying the groups of feathers and how they grow from the body. You almost have to be an Ornithologist just to figure it out. The base itself is made from a solid chunk of wood carved to look like pottery, Cactus, a broken arrowhead and stones all make for a natural setting.

41 comments:

TwoHeartsPath said...

Stunning...I have always thought the coloring of the Kestrel was one of the most beautiful of the birds of prey..your work is totally awesome....Thanks for sharing your many talents....
Patti

ArtZhodgepodge said...

Beautiful... works of love.

Anonymous said...

Wow! Wow! Wow! These are just amazing! I was amazed at the painting and then I saw that awesome carving. I can't believe all the detail. All those feathers would leave me cross-eyed. You are one talented lady!

Anonymous said...

Lynn this is A.W.E.S.O.M.E.!!!

Sonya Badgley said...

OH! MY! GOSH! Lynn both these pieces are just exquisite! I wish I could do something like this! I could see why it would be expensive. It's a LOT of work! You definitely have a God given talent. How lucky you get to use it! I'm in awe...
Have a great weekend and thank you so much for sharing.
Blessings,
Sonya

flutterbycrafter said...

Wow, words fail me, they are both fantastic, but the wood carving is something else, you are so talented, just love all your work. thanks for the tip re masking fluid. xx

Holly said...

Hello, Lynn! The painting and carving you did are absolutely beautiful and stunning! I can understand why it took 3 months to finish. Very nice!

Holly

Daniele said...

omg Lynn, that looks so real, what an incredible artist you are
hugs

Kathy Eddy said...

Wow! This is just amazingly beautiful Lynn! I am in total awe of your pure talent.

Shelley said...

You have soooo many talents. These are beautiful.

LynnF said...

To have a nesting pair nearby must be amazing! Your carving is simply stunning! Bravo, Lynn!

Zoechaos said...

Don't know the American Kestral but am familiar with their european cousins. Clearly yours are far more colourful LOL Beautiful birds you have captured the magic XOXO Zoe

Netty said...

Well thats it am totally speechless...no of course I'm not....lol
You are a woman of just the most amazing talents and am in total awe. Have a great weekend, Annette x

Jo said...

Lynn .... omg ... you just AMAZE me with your talent!!! girl you are just full of surprises ... and wow! and more wow!

Diane said...

This is amazing. You are incredibly talented. I'm glad I found your blog - I hope some of it rubs off on me. Thanks for sharing. Diane

cheryl said...

oh wow hun this is just fantastic gosh what a stuning piece,hugs cheryl xxxx

Terry said...

I so do love visiting you on Friday's! There is no end to your amazing talents! Love the painting and the carving - SO much! Have a wonderful weekend!

Jocelyn said...

Oh My Goodness...what beauty!!!!

You are so very talented sweet friend!!!

Thanks for sharing with us!!!

Have a great weekend!!!

Susan said...

You are an amazing artist!!

Kim B said...

Absolutely wonderful!!! You never cease to amaze me. I was at hobby lobby looking at a magazine and there was Ms Lynn :)
Hope your day has been great. Hugs, Kim

Lori said...

Well, I don't want to disappoint you, so I'll just go with my normal Lori comment - this is TOTALLY FREAKIN' AWESOME!

Suzanne C said...

Wowzer! Jaw dropping talent here!

Connie Eyberg Originals said...

Lynn, I don't know what more I can say. The previous comments say it all and I agree with every one of them! You are incredibly talented and everything you touch seems to turn to gold. I hope you are being paid well for your commissions. They would be difficult to give up after all the time and love invested. Have a great weekend, Connie

trisha too said...

So beautiful, both pieces, beautiful!

Christine said...

Wow! All I can say is Wow!!! This is amazing. You have such incredible talent and I'm proud to say I get to sit and work beside you every once in a while.

karen said...

Holy fabulous!!!

Shelly Schmidt said...

Goodness- that is one absolutely gorgeous project! WOW! WOW! WOW!

Lynn said...

Totally amazed.

Louise (KardKrazy) said...

Phenomenal work, Lynn. The skill behind that carving is just beyond amazing. Thanks for sharing this part of your artwork.

Anonymous said...

Wow! Both are amazing. I just love your carvings. Your art, my dear, knows no bounds! So Cool!

Marie Lost Bird Studio said...

Hi Lynn,
I think I said that before, you are amazing!!!Stunning work - love all the details.WOW.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs,
Marie

Lorraine said...

fantastic..no end to your many artistic talents

Evelyn S. said...

Lynn!! The detail of both these pieces is absolutely amazing! Your work is wonderful.

Anji Johnston said...

I am just speechless Lynn - speechless!
I will comment another time when I have got over the shock of your talent (where does it end?!).

Unknown said...

WOW!!! That is amazing!!

Sarah said...

You are so gifted with an amazing talent. Thank you for sharing.

2amscrapper said...

You are one amazing artist!

Marva Plummer-Bruno said...

Wow!!! These are both awesome! You are a lady of many talents!

CuddlyBunny said...

I'm convinced that no creative technique exists which you have not mastered!

This is a beautiful carving!

Julie Shoemaker said...

Amazing art!

Connie said...

wow. that is really amazing. not just the carving, but the painting too!

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