12 Bird Challenge: Flying Finch

Flying Finch
Watercolor and Ink on paper, mounted 6x8" oval

Inspired by the finches that visit my feeder every day. They are tiny and bright and have the cutest little squeaky songs. I hear them every morning as I sit and eat breakfast at our kitchen counter and see them darting past the window when I wash the dishes in the evening. Aren't they just so cheerful?

Spring feels so close doesn't it? As I write this post I sit with the window cracked and the light pouring in the office/studio and the sound of different birds singing outside. I am just SO excited for Spring and painting these birds has really put me in a good mood! Can you believe there are just two more paintings left? Just a reminder- all 12 original paintings will be up for sale on Monday, March 25th at 9am CST. They're all mounted and ready to hang- no framing necessary! I'm so excited to show you the entire collection together and will have at least one more surprise for you by then. Thank you for following along thus far!

Hope your Wednesday is bright and cheery!

*This painting is part of a 12 Bird Challenge running from now until March 22nd.  All paintings will be for sale on the 25th.

snowy winter cards

Custom Painting for Bethel College
8x10" Mixed Media

My artwork on Bethel's Christmas Card
Designed by Katherine Ross

Peifer Family House Portrait
8x10" Mixed Media

My artwork and design for the Peifer's Christmas card

 It's starting with nothing (a blank sheet of paper), envisioning a finished product (a Christmas card), committing to the goal, adjusting along the way, putting it all together, and admiring the final product.  That's the process I love so much, that brings me a heart of satisfaction.  Last year I happily accepted an invitation to help create two different custom Christmas cards, and now I can happily share them both with you!

The first is a painting for the Bethel College president's Christmas card.  It's a vignette of a little spot on campus complete with the president and his wife on a stroll and lots of trees and snow and wildlife.  From what I gathered the campus is quaint and beautiful, so painting it under a soft blanket of snow seemed the appropriate thing to do.  The people, wildlife, and warmer tones helped to make the campus look active and inviting even through the winter months.

The Peifer's Christmas postcard gave me a chance to see my house portrait in action.  Margaret wanted her and her husband's portrait on the back with a few important dates from the year.  I was so pleased when I picked all 250 postcards & envelopes up from the printers!  The glossy finish and heavy cardstock made the cards feel finished and professional.  After I delivered them to her house, all Margaret had to do was address and stamp, and the cards were out the door the very next day!

What do you think?

The Visitor

How was your weekend friend?  Is it getting cold where you live?  My closet is slowly filling up with sweaters and leggings and mittens.  I do love this time of year!

I have been making plenty of plans for new winter paintings, but while those sketches are brewing it's been nice to work on something familiar in between all the custom work.  Butterflies!  My mother-in-law saw this gorgeous swallowtail in her yard this past summer and was quick enough to photograph it in time to capture its wings both clasped shut and wide open.  The underside of the hind wings are a gorgeous blue and orange and black and white pattern.  I had the pictures propped up against my easel, beckoning me, for the longest time.  Suddenly last week I just picked up a canvas and started painting!  So far I am loving the dark and light contrast and repetitive pattern.  I think I'll call it The Visitor.  This is the first layer.

Just thought I'd share!  Hope your week is off and running.

Let's talk chickens.

Henrietta
18x24" oil on canvas $600

Those of you who follow this blog with any regularity are, by now, acquainted with Henrietta.  She's the Barred Rock chicken who came running up to me the minute I stepped out of my car at Prairie Creek Farms, and she is simply adorable.  You should see her strutting around the farm, occasionally bedding down in the soft garden soil to lay her eggs.  When I visited the farm, Lisa gave me a dozen farm fresh eggs laid by Henrietta and her friends.  The eggs have large dark yolk that, according to Lisa, add a rich color and flavor to anything you bake.

The reason I visited the farm in the first place was to get references for a few commissioned pieces Lisa is envisioning in her home.  I've been excited about this project for months, and now that my show is over I've got time to do it!  I plan on doing a full feature on the blog once the paintings are finished and hanging in her home.

Speaking of commissions, have you ever had a vision for a piece of artwork in your home?  Perhaps there's an empty spot on your wall you'd like to fill with something specific to your taste?  I've been taking on more and more custom work all the time and would love for you to be a part of it with me!  Let me know your idea(s) and we can brainstorm together to fill those empty voids in your home with something original and personal.  My email is Michelle@TheArtofMichelle.com if you'd like to chat!

Gallery Preview

The Singer Swan
oil & fabric on canvas, 4'x5'  $3000

Loon Song
oil & fabric on canvas, 4'x5'  $3000

Henrietta
oil on canvas, 18x24"  $600

Tag & the 88
oil on canvas, 22x28"  $750

Under Her Watchful Eye
oil on canvas, 18x24"  $600

Sewing a Luna
oil on canvas, 16x20"  $525

Tea Time
oil on canvas, 16x20"  $525

 These new oil paintings (along with all the watercolor work in my Etsy shop) will be featured this month at the David Strawn Art Gallery in Jacksonville, IL.  You are all invited to attend the opening reception tomorrow evening October 6th from 6-8pm with my gallery talk at 6:30pm.  Normal gallery hours (for those unable to attend the opening) are listed here.

Next week I'll feature each piece individually on the blog with detail shots and descriptions.  If available they'll all be listed for sale in the shop at that time, but if you'd like to reserve a specific piece now, please email me at Michelle@TheArtofMichelle.com or Kelly Gross (the gallery director) at strawnartgallery@frontier.com.

Happy Friday to you!  I'm so happy to finally have a day off!  :)

Spring green



Luna Moth
5x5 in Watercolor on paper, mounted





My very favorite color- especially in Spring- is this rich and vibrant green I'm starting to see everywhere.  Emerald green is the color I most often use in my paintings { and talk about all the time on this blog } as you can see here in my Luna Moth painting from last summer.

On another note, Seth and I are preparing for a weekend away.  Here's a hint as to what we'll be doing...

Hope your week is off to a good start!

{ Thanks Sarah for your wonderful comment from my last post.  It was so insightful! }