#744 "Little Blue on A Branch"

"Little Blue on a Branch
18"H 10"W 10"D
Ed. 35
4200


Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish

#554 In the field: Wilderness aesthetics, con't . . .

Please start this series of blogposts with #549, Wed. July 23

The Rocky Mountains stretch from the Brooks Range in Alaska to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico and during my life I have experienced  both the northern and the southern reaches of the dramatic mountain range.
Most of my Rocky Mountain travels have been close to home in the central portion in Colorado and Wyoming.  I have lived in the Rocky Mountain region for over 35 years and currently reside in the Wind River Range of the Rockies in Wyoming.  The Rockies contain ecologically diverse regions and vast expanses of wilderness for the artist and nature lover.

The lives of all birds of the Rockies are greatly influenced by the seasons and although most of the many species are migrants, some stay to nest and some are winter residents.  Waterfowl, eagles, and osprey leave the high elevations when water
freezes while owls and grouse will remain in the winter.

At right, Canada Geese glide past a feeding cow moose on a high mountain trout lake.  They hatched and raised their small brood here and will teach them to fly out before freeze-up.

The focus of this blogpost is five of the large birds we encountered and photographed last month as we celebrated my birthday week in the Colorado Rockies.  While fishing for trout in a high mountain lake, just below the timberline, we shared the beautiful setting with Bald Eagles, Osprey, Ravens, and Canada Geese . . . not until we left the high
country for lower elevations did we encounter the Great Blue Heron.  With each change in elevation,
habitat, and vegetation, there is a change in bird life.

Below, are photos of our experience and recent artwork of the five species depicted.

 Original etching entitled Bald Eagle

Sketch of an osprey

 Bronze sculpture entitled Ravenrock

 Bronze sculpture entitled Nesting Heron

Sketch of Canada Geese

To learn more about the subjects go to the links below.

For a complete list of the blog index go to the Index Page and

type the subject in the Search This Blog link on the upper right.

Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish

#544 Beyond my studio window . . . bird reference

I experience many wild birds at my studio headquarters in Lander, Wyoming.
On the north and east boundaries of the rural property, the Popo Agie River flows.  The beautiful river, which is a tributary of the Wind River, is home and sanctuary to many species of birds and as the seasons change, I've come to anticipate and understand when to have my camera and sketchbook close by.

My barn cat had kittens a few weeks ago which caused a Great Horned Owl to hang out in the willow tree by the studio.  The kittens survived and I was able to photograph and sketch the great bird shown at right.

My pond is a favorite nesting site for Canada Geese and other waterfowl.
There's a little island that provides a safe place for spring nesting and typically, several broods will hatch including Canada Geese, Mallards and Mergansers.  

Below, are photos taken at the pond this spring.

Below, a migrating flock of White-faced Ibis spent several days feeding in the pasture with the resident Mallards.

Pheasants are non-migratory and can be seen year around.  Below, is an image taken in the winter.

Below, the Great Blue Heron is routinely in residence at the pond.

Shown below, is a small portfolio of bird art of the subjects mentioned in this blog.

Hay Bay
19"H 25"W 14"D

 Marauder of the Night
14"H 8"W 6"D

Nesting Heron
15"H 25"W 26"D

After the Hunt

29"H 19"W 4"D



To learn more about the subjects go to the links below.

For a complete list of the blog index go to the Index Page and
type the subject in the Search This Blog link on the right.

Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish

    

#506 In the studio: field guides and reference

Start this series with post # 503, Feb. 5, 2014

Roger Tory Peterson's classic Field Guide to the Birds in 1934 quickly became the most practical field guide ever written.  Simple and complete . . . it was a new kind of bird guide which emphasized the characteristics 
of birds when seen at a distance.  See previous blog for more info.

Below, is an image from Peterson's field guide.

Peterson's famous system is based on pattern drawing, field marks, comparisons between species, 
and identification of a bird's silhouette.

Below, are bird silhouette drawings from my sketchbook.

The system became so popular that it found its way into most field guides
published since and has become the universally accepted standard around the world.

Below, are more of the many field guides on the market for the artist and bird lover . . . see previous post for more info.

The role of research and reference is to inspire thoughts and help solve anatomical issues and proportion.  
I become as familiar as I can with the species I'm modeling through live models, taxidermy mounts, videos, zoo specimens, study skins, skulls and bones . . . whatever I can find that makes me live, think, dream, 
see, feel, understand, and express the animal I'm working on.

I have found that a sketchbook and photography is invaluable reference for "in the field" 
experience when choosing a pose or gesture. . . both serve as a memory jog.

Below, is the clay model - in progress - of "Little Blue Heron".

Below, is the sculpture cast in bronze.

Little Blue Heron

To learn more about the subjects in this blog go to the links below.  
For a complete list of the blog index go to the Index Page and 
type the subject in the Search This Blog link on the right.

Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish Smith

#393 At the foundry: Patina, the power of color, con't . . .

Please start this series of posts about patina with #391, Feb. 13.

The color of the patina can enhance form, but it can also negate and overpower form.
Typically, I have a patina in mind as I create the sculpture and I always consider color very carefully.  

I routinely use color to suggest the natural color inherent to a species, such as the Great Blue Heron . . . 

the chemical, cupric nitrate, produces blues which is the logical choice for the bird.  

Always remember, color is more powerful than form. 

Nesting Heron
15"H 25"W 26"D
Copyright - Sandy Scott

#386 In the field: Autry Masters, con't . . .

I enjoyed brisk sales at the Autry Masters . . . it was rewarding to see all of the "intent to purchase" names pulled out of the box and posted!  All work was new 

and introduced at the show.

Below, images and memories of one the most important exhibitions of representational art in the country:  

The Autry Masters.  For more information about the show, start with post #379, Jan. 22 and go to  http://theautry.org/masters

Left to right: Joyce Browning, Trish Smith, John Potter, Sandy Scott, Tom Browning

 Jackie Autry, Founding Chair, Life Trustee, and collector of my work

Jim and Jodie Rea, Trustees, friends, and collectors of my work

Friend and fellow artist, Howard Terpning

Howard and Marlies have one of my fountains at their home in Tucson

 

 Fellow artist, Dean Mitchell . . . I have admired his work for many years

Nesting Heron was among my works that sold well at Autry

#381 In the Field: Autry Masters, con't . . . "Nesting Heron"

"The Masters of Western Art is recognized as the
premier Western art exhibition and sale in the country," 
said John Geraghty, Autry Museum Trustee and Special 
Advisor to Masters.  "It has become the benchmark for 
each of the other major art events and has brought the nation's most prominent artists and supporters to the Autry.  Our artists have provided an exceptional presentation of paintings and sculptures for the 2013 Masters.  In their capable hands, we can rest assured that the Western art genre remains strong and will thrive for many generations to come."

For more information start with post #379, Feb. 22 and go to

http://theautry.org/masters

Below, is another new work that will be introduced at the 2013 Autry Masters

Nesting Heron

15"H 25"W 26"D

#326 In the studio: Works in progress . . .

This block-in of a Great Blue Heron was started in the field along Oak Creek . . . south of Sedona, Arizona.

#224 In the studio: How I work

Typically, I have at least forty or more sculptures in various states of completion in progress at one time.  Bird subjects
alone include Great Blue Heron, Little Blue Heron, Green-backed Heron, Canada Geese,  Ruffed Grouse, Bufflehead Ducks, Bobwhite Quail, Common Tern, roosters, macaws, 
Bald Eagle, pelicans, pheasants, Roadrunner, Mockingbird, doves, wild turkeys, and more. 

I move around the studio, or take a model down from a shelf, tweaking and making adjustments as the urge inspires me.
New reference, realization, in-the-field experiences or deadlines initiates finishing the piece and taking it to mold.

At right is a study of a Great Blue Heron in progress.

#192 Leaving Arizona

Leaving Arizona is always difficult but spring is here and a great deal of studio and field work is waiting in Wyoming and beyond.  Shown is a peregrine falcon sculpture I created last year while artist in residence in the Sedona area. I've included images of my time here in 2012: An Arizona scrapbook.

I must see new things and investigate them.

I want to taste dark water and see crackling trees and wild winds.

                                                                                - Egon Schiele

Falcon Heart Humming

20"H 20"W 16"D