Return of the eagles.

January 31, 2020January 31, 2020 ~ thepurpledogpaintingblog ~ Leave a comment

The eagles are back!

I live in an area where bald eagles flock to breed. They come back every year in the hundreds.

I haven’t been taking too many photos as my camera’s shutter seems to be wearing out but I did take these while I was walking Sampson. This one seemed very interested in Sampson.

This one did too. His claws are in such sharp focus.

I was playing with some white ink on black paper. The paper seemed a bit soft, it wanted to absorb and absorb which ended up working in my favor, I was able to put many layers. Now in my first eagle here which is about 5×7, I went a little too crazy with my top layer and lost some of the shading.

This one is better. I would have continued down the shoulders but it ended up in a card frame for a friend who likes eagles. The one thing I love about ink, is that it tends to look complicated but it’s all just little dots and lines. Pretty relaxing to do.

I used a dip pen with a G nib on it. I buy the ones that are marketed towards anime online. They flow well and you can make thick or thin lines depending on how much pressure you use.

Since I mentioned Sampson, here’s a quick one of him in white ink on card stock.

I also did a squirrel in the white and grey ink who looks a bit of a know it all.

I did a polar bear too but had to weigh down the paper afterwards as it buckled. He looks like he’s fretting, given that the icecaps are melting fast, I can’t say I blame him.

If you have questions, please ask in the comments.

©Virginia Spencer, thepurpledogpaintingblog.com, 2020

Scratch Scratch

April 26, 2016April 26, 2016 ~ thepurpledogpaintingblog ~ 4 Comments

This is what a squirrel looks when it scratches its back on a peanut shell.

Sexy, non?

Apparently he became itchy while trying to steal seeds from the bird feeder. The local birds were not all that thrilled.

Run, little squirrel! Run!

It’s okay, he’s safe, that was from February.

Spring is definitely in the air here.

Meanwhile back at the easel..

The palette came out better than the painting!

And at the drawing board. This is ink, 10x 3 inches. I’m debating on whether or not to color it in.

town ink Virginia Spencer

Close ups.

halftwo

half one

Hope everyone is having a good spring!

©Virginia Spencer, thepurpledogpaintingblog.com, 2016

Baby, it’s cold outside..

January 22, 2014 ~ thepurpledogpaintingblog ~ 8 Comments

Things to do when it’s cold.

You can watch the sunrise.

Then run amok and do handstands.

You could play Charades!!

(Here Sampson is acting out a scene from the movie “Tremors”.
He’s a huge Kevin Bacon fan.
Mostly because his name is Bacon.)
.

Or dance the Tarantella.

Do a little miming.

(See he’s walking in the wind…)

Or challenge a friend to a staring contest.

(But trust me, you’re going to lose this one.)

Sing!

Or meditate

Or catch that red dot!

Invite some friends over for dinner.

Share a drink.

And watch the moon rise.

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©Virginia Spencer, thepurpledogpaintingblog.com, 2014

The Eagles are back!

January 19, 2014 ~ thepurpledogpaintingblog ~ 8 Comments

There was a mother eagle

Who was trying to get some rest.

But oh no! Look behind her!

It’s a teenage raptor pest!

So she cuffed the juvenile in the head!

And left for parts unknown.

The kid, he was proud to have his own roost.

Until he realized that he was all alone..

Mom?
Mother??

Mommy?!?

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©Virginia Spencer, thepurpledogpaintingblog, 2014

Avian Obsessions

April 8, 2012April 8, 2012 ~ thepurpledogpaintingblog ~ 17 Comments

I, yes I! I have been accused of nefarious misdeeds.

Contemptible, despicable, nefarious misdeeds.

I have been accused of …(oh the horror)…of

BIRD STALKING!

Sure I occasionally take photos of birds..

Like this pelican I saw today over the Mississippi.

And this one is actually a photo of a turtle. The black swan just jumped right in and hogged the shot.

Black Swans are like that.

Speaking of black swans, did you know there are also black ducks?

Yes, yes there is.

And in this shot, the sparrow landed right on the lion’s fence. I was taking a photo of the fence to make sure it was secure and all.

What a showoff.

As for this odd little goose, I don’t’ even know what it is.

But it’s so pretty…

This Canadian goose appears to be up to something. I had to take his photo, lord knows what he’s planning.

And you know peacocks are soooo vain, he insisted I take his photo.

Oh sure I know what you’re thinking..

Excuses, excuses…

I mean it’s not like I’m following them home..

(baby wren)

Or watching them bathe..

(Mourning dove)

Or eat…

(flicker)

Some of them like this bird (I don’t what it is) come right into my house, well my garage anyway.

This one looked so haughty, he obviously wanted his photo taken.

I mean I can stop anytime..

(cardinal)

Seriously it’s not a problem..

Ignore the skeptical look on his face, eagles always look like that.

They’re very cynical birds..

People can say what they like, to me, it’s water off a duck..

I can, yes I can do other things

Like right now for instance, I’m feeling creative.

I’ll take a 3 x 5 piece of card and some construction paper and some glue and I have my scissors and and…

Oh….

Okay, maybe I do have a small bird stalking problem.

A very small problem, I’m sure no one else has noticed yet.

Raise your hand if you’ve noticed..

Alright then, that’s it.

Unless I see another cool bird.

I mean I can’t quit cold turkey.

{Note to self…remember to check spelling of “obsessions” before naming post “obessesions”….Oops.}

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The Eagle has landed…

January 15, 2012 ~ thepurpledogpaintingblog ~ 33 Comments

The Eagles have landed! The Eagles have landed!

Woohoo!

I live in an eagle nesting area. This year has been so warm that not too many have been around. Then we had a week of snow and cold and the eagles are here. If it snows they will come..

Four eagles (two adults, two juveniles) sitting in a tree by the Mississippi River.

Duck!! I mean Eagle!!

Eagle! I mean Ducks!

Run Away!

Claude the goose, slowly sidled towards the portal to Narnia, hoping that no one would notice his absence.. sadly a large hungry lion was waiting on the other side..

His goose was cooked.