First Flight 24" x 18" acrylic

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The silence of the still morning is broken by the sound of wings slicing through the chilled predawn air as a group of committed ducks make their decent. This is my favorite time of the day when out on the marsh as its seems to be the most active for waterfowl and the day is ripe with anticipation. The original painting of First Flight has been sold, however there is a limited edition print available.
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Ace 5" x 5" acrylic

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Last week, I was contacted by a collector to create two paintings that will be used as thank you gifts. This black lab is the second painting of the two. The first was Walker and can be seen on the blog just below this painting. Art makes a fantastic gift as a thank you, for a birthday, for the holidays, or any other occasion and I have collaborated with many people through the years to create that perfect piece of artwork.
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Walker 5" x 5" acrylic

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This is a commissioned painting where the waves, seascape and hidden sun made for an interesting composisition with the boy playing in the sand.
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Wigeon Study #4 - 4" x 4" acrylic

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This is the last in the series of four. A flock of wigeon flies through the fog. In a painting like this, the two trickiest things are where to place the wigeon in the overall composition and making sure the values are right in order to make it look like they are flying on a foggy morning.
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Wigeon Study #3 - 4" x 4" acrylic

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This is number three in the series of four paintings that will be framed together as a set. This pair of drake wigeon went through several redos to get the composition right. I originally wanted to have a hen wigeon in the painting, but she blended in too much - no matter if she was swimming or standing. The white crests of the drake wigeon helps them to stand out. The background of the painting is similar to the background that I used in a recent pintail daily painting of two drakes. This type of habitat is one of my favorite to paint because it gives the work such a natural feel.
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Wigeon Study #2 - 4" x 4" acrylic

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This is the second painting in the series of four American wigeon paintings...

A pair swims through the rain and the floating autumn leaves.

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Wigeon Study #1 - 4" x 4" acrylic

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This is the first in a series four studies of wigeon that I am doing for a larger project. Over this past weekend, I participated in the Audubon Wild Arts Festival. On Sunday morning the show didn't start until 11am so I went out and did some fieldwork and got some great wigeon ideas. Three more are on the way!
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Approaching Storm 5" x 5" acrylic $245

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The late afternoon sun is losing the battle as the high clouds from a new weather front begin to obscure it's rays. I am a weather fanatic. I study weather websites, satellite imagery, and maps and love incorporating it into my paintings to give the viewer a sense of feeling the atmosphere.
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High Skies - Mallard 5" x 5" acrylic $245

A flock of mallard flies against a dramatic cloudy background. This painting was inspired by a scene I witnessed in Central Oregon last year. Wave after wave of mallard were landing in some wheat stubble. The dark sky illuminated the ducks as they circled a few times before landing.
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Teal Remarque 1" x 2" acrylic

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This is just about the size of the actual painting. It is another remarque done in the margin of one of my prints. This pair of teal was seen among a flock at William Finley National Wildlife Refuge in the Willamette Valley. They are fast, erratic flyers and among my favorite of all waterfowl to watch in flight. Often times, their wings can be heard slicing through the air (like a fighter jet - nno joke) before they are seen.
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Goose Remarque 1" x 3" acrylic

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This is a remarque - otherwise known as a small original painting that was done in the margin of one of my prints. Having a small painting done in the margin of a print increases it's value and collectibility. This particular painting is a group of three dusky canada geese - a threatened subspecies unique to the Willamette Valley. I used the white of the paper as a part of the overall composition and left the reflections to identify that the birds are standing in water. If you are interested in my prints and having a remarque painted feel free to check out this link...
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First Light - Bull Elk 30" x 20" acrylic

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A large bull elk has entered a meadow at first light as the cool air enables the animal's breath to be seen. I saw this bull on a recent trip to Yellowstone National Park and was really taken by the dramatic lighting as he cautiously entered into Gibbon Meadow. There were unseen wolves howling not too far away (a future painting) and that is what could have made him cautious. I am not posting a price quite yet, because I am not totally convinced that he is finished. So I am going to keep eyeing it for a few days, then make the decision. If you are interested in the painting feel free to contact me through my website.

Also, I have started to update my other blog quite a bit. It's called The Art of Peter Mathios and discusses events, shows work in progress, talks about travels and will have much more.

Fox Sparrow 5" x 7" acrylic $265

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This past weekend I observed a fox sparrow sparrow sitting on a branch as a storm was breaking. The pine needles were covered in water droplets from the recent rain (which inspired me to add rain to the painting). This handsome, sooty colored sparrow - unique to the Pacific Northwest - is one of four variations of fox sparrow found around the country. It is a ground forager and as I watched this bird a rufous-sided towhee made a brief appearance before both disappeared into the cover below.
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Northern Shovelers 4" x 4" acrylic

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A pair of subtly lit Northern Shovelers glide peacefully through the water. The bubbles indicate that something has stirred the water before these ducks arrived.
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Moonlit Shores 4" x 4" acrylic

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On a bright, moonlit evening, a gull forages along the shoreline. Although I witnessed this scene during the daylight hours, a very limited palette of paynes gray, raw umber, and white was used to create the dramatic moonlight effect. It is an incredible experience to watch the ocean with a bright moon because it creates a unique glow and that is what I wanted to capture in this painting.
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Last Light 5" x 5" acrylic $245

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While Grand Teton National Park is famous for its unique mountain range, there are many other beautiful areas within the park. Here the last light of day graces a gentler set of mountains as darkness settles upon the meadow below.
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Backwater Bounty 6" x 17" acrylic

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This painting of a flock of wood ducks cruising a flooded backwater will be available through Collector's Covey Gallery in Dallas, Texas. They hold an annual miniature show that features mostly wildlife and sporting artwork from the top artists throughout the country. The show opens November 13th with a preview and auction. For more information you can contact the gallery at (800) 521-2403.
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Eagle in Flight 7" x 5" acrylic $265

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This painting is originally from earlier this year (February 19 post), but has been reworked to include more definition in the clouds. Eagles are beautiful, strong birds that are prevalent throughout the Northwest. This particular bird was seen off the northern end of Vancouver Island.
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Brown Pelicans 5" x 7" acrylic

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A flock of brown pelicans rests off the coast of the Channel Islands in Southern California. While we were fishing, my brother-in-law and I rowed in as close as we could all the while avoiding the crashing waves. We weren't as fortunate in catching fish as some of the pelicans were.
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Avocets 4" x 4" acrylic $225

A pair of American avocets wade the shallow waters searching for a meal. During the winter months these birds are black and white. Only during the spring do they don their orange plumage.
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Rufous Hummingbird 7" x 5" acrylic $265

I've always seen hummingbirds as nature's little jewels. Here, a male rufous hummingbird feeds at a group of handsome tiger lilies that have been delicately draped some webs.
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Drake Pintails 5" x 5" acrylic $365 (framed)

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A pair of drake pintails loafs in classic wetland habitat. Pintail like shallow water to rest and feed in and this seemed like a perfect setting for the two males. This painting will be available through Collector's Covey in Dallas, Texas on November 13th.
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Ending Rain 16" x 24" giclee print on canvas $285

A storm has just passed and remaining moisture drips from branches above creating a mesmerizing pattern in the reflective water. The print will be a giclee on canvas which amazingly captures the subtleties of each drop of water in the original painting unlike any other printing process.
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Fall Aspens 7" x 5" acrylic $265

A group of aspens flaunt their brilliant fall foliage on a warm autumn day. Aspens are my favorite tree because of the sound they make when they quake in the wind. It soothes the soul.
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Bugling Bull 5" x 5" acrylic

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I just got home from my second trip of the year to Yellowstone in which I focused on getting reference for doing some elk paintings. Of course, I saw much more to go along with the elk. This particular bull elk was the largest that I have ever seen in person. The rut was in full swing and the bulls were bugling and protecting their harems on the cool mornings that were dropping to just below freezing. There were also a couple of times that I found myself in precarious situations as their behavior gets to be unpredictable during this time of year, but it was worth it.
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Lamar Evening 15" x 26" acrylic

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The Lamar Valley in Yellowstone is a special place. It is not uncommon to see elk, deer, pronghorn, bison, grizzly bear and wolf - all at the same time! In fact, the valley seems like it is a slice of the way things used to be. This past August, I was able to to take my kids through the Lamar Valley and they too were amazed. This painting is from that trip and on that evening several different flocks of Canada geese were flying over the Lamar River. In the painting, a herd of bison grazes in the background as the last rays of light filter into the valley adding to the aura that is the Lamar Valley at sunset.
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Wood Duck Drake 7"x10" acrylic

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After a bit of a hiatus from posting (but not from painting), here is a wood duck painting that was finished a couple of weeks ago. Currently, it is not for sale but if you are interested in it, feel free to email me as it will become available later in October.
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Roswell Wigeon 16" x 20" acrylic

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This painting has been completed for an auction benefiting the restoration of Roswell Marsh which is scheduled to be restored as a wetland. The marsh will be dedicated to Paul Ralstin, who has played a vital role in wetland conservation through various roles with Ducks Unlimited, on August 14th & 15th in Boise, ID.

Evening Waters 18 x 14" acrylic $3200

John Briggs, an expert on the subject of creativity, wrote in his book Fire In The Crucible -

"Probably from time to time nearly everyone has felt the rise of their unique vision into awareness - as nuances, as uncanny moments, as a fleetingly strong sense that a mix of different contours and feelings one has about the world must somehow go together. These instants of vision are extremely tacit. They are sensations we have no words or forms for and which other people don't seem to experience, or at least don't experience in quite the way we do."

I like to call this an aha moment and I had one of these recently at the Metolius River in Central Oregon. A early evening thunderstorm had just rolled through and left some wispy patches of fog hugging the water on the river. Noticing this I went for a hike along the river to observe this unique weather and came upon this flyfisherman. The evening light, the fog, the woods and the water all fit together perfectly. It was an aha moment!

This painting will be available during the Fall Classics Show through Ponderosa Art Gallery in Hamilton, MT from August 15th - September 13th. For more information you can call 406-375-1212.
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Coaster Poll

One of the following images will be produced as set of 4 absorbant drink coasters. You can pick your favorite by taking the poll to the right.

Coaster #1 - Winter Hideaway

Coaster #2 - Puppy Eyes

Coaster#3 - Into the Open

Coaster #4 - Cardinal & Blossoms

California Covey 12" x 24" acrylic

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This painting of a covey of quail was completed almost a decade ago when I was living in Bend, OR. The rock is volcanic and the habitat is high desert. The moss indicates that water is nearby which would naturally attract these quail to this spot.
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Yaquina Head 6" x 7" acrylic

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Today's daily painting is of the 93 foot Yaquina Lighthouse tower which is located on a narrow point of land jutting due west into the Pacific Ocean 5 miles north of Newport, Oregon. Winds and rain have hammered this lighthouse since its beginning in 1872. It took approximately one year, and over 370,000 bricks to construct Oregon's tallest lighthouse. The light has been active since Head Keeper Fayette Crosby walked up the 114 steps to light the wicks on the evening of August 20, 1873. At that time the oil burning fixed white light was displayed from sunset to sunrise. Today, the fully automated first order Fresnel lens runs on commercial power and flashes its unique pattern of 2 seconds on, 2 seconds off, 2 seconds on, 14 seconds off, 24 hours a day. The oil burning wicks have been replaced with a 1000 watt globe that, according to the US Coast Guard generates over 130,000 candlepower.
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November Teal 16" x 20" acrylic

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November in the Central Valley of California can be a foggy place as clear cool nights ignite the formation of tule fog. As the sun rises on these calm mornings a battle is waged to try and burn off the fog creating some spectacular and often surreal lighting. This is one such scene as a flock of greenwing teal circle outside a set of decoys getting ready to bank in and land.
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Riverside Retreat 16" x 20" acrylic $3200

A mixed flock of mallards and wood ducks mingle in this backwater hideaway. Snowmelt has caused the Deschutes River to overflow it's banks creating a wonderful pocket of habitat that provides a new food source for these ducks.

This painting is an older one that I have just finished reworking. The colors in the heads of the ducks have been enhanced, especially in the two wood ducks. Some new habitat was also added in the lower left hand corner of the painting to help fill what I felt was an unnecessary void and the background water at the top of the painting was lightened to create more depth.
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On the Road to Emmaus 24" x 48" acrylic

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This large painting was done for my church to hang in an area in the lobby that has been dubbed the Emmaus Cafe. It is about the story of Jesus walking and talking with two disciples on the road to Emmaus the day after His resurrection. The disciples did not recognize who he was until after they invited Him into their home for dinner and 'broke bread'.
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Cheetah 4" x 4" acrylic $225

The cheetah is the fastest land animal on earth. It can sprint at speeds of up to 75 mph and can go from 0-68 in three seconds! They are designed for sprinting speed, which can only be maintained for about 1500 feet. A unique fact about cheetahs is they lack the ability to climb like other cats. This daily painting is a portrait of this handsome cat.
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Chipmunk 4" x 4" acrylic $225

I saw this chipmunk on a wooden fence along the Metolius River in Central Oregon. The dramatic lighting is what inspired this daily painting as the rich green grasses were shadowed by towering pine trees allowing the chipmunk to 'pop' in the sunshine.
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Trip to Milwaukee

This past week I had the opportunity to fly to Milwaukee to visit Classic Art Prints to sign the 2010 Ducks Unlimited National Stamp prints. Marie Cutraro and Tom Zarnoth do an incredible job of matching color and reproducing images as they create prints for many of the top artists in the country. I have been fortunate enough to visit them 3 out of the past 4 years and each time their hospitality has made the experience special. Many thanks go out to Ducks Unlimited, Marie and her husband Guiseppi, and Tom!

Peter signs the prints and Marie pulls them and stacks them.

A sheet of the 2010 stamps along with the new limited edition print.

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