Monday, April 13, 2009

An Eagle's Nest

Black River Eagle Nest
18 x 12 soft pastels on Kitty Wallis Professional White
by Miki Willa
I have decided I need more Northwest landscapes for the show in July. A few weeks ago, we went to the Black River Riparian Forest in Renton, Washington. There is a very large heron habitat there. There is also a pair of nesting eagles. An interesting combination. It was too early for the trees to be fully leafed out, so the nests were all very visible. I decided to paint the trees around the eagle nest because of the contrasts in the colors. I used a very limited palette to create the mysterious air about this fairly unknown place of beauty and wonder.
If you want to read more about the area and the heron colony, go here.

6 comments:

Jo Castillo said...

Miki, what a great idea! Beautiful and soft, intriguing.

M said...

I love the sculptural quality to this work. I think it would have been a very different image if the leaves were out. Absence and presence again!

FitFoodieMegha said...

This is really a fantastic idea Miki...:) The forest effect is coming..:) Keep in touch!

Tom Willa said...

I agree the forest effect really is a strong component in this painting. It has a surreal air about it. I like that a lot in this painting. Landscapes that create that are a great success to me.

Willa said...

We went to lots of shops and a fair in a park while in NC. I looked at the art and thought about you/your show. I think you are right about NW paintings for your show.

Your painting is wonderful as it shows early spring - what a wonderful time of year.

simoart said...

Hi
I love this painting. Wonderful landscape, it makes me feel so relax.Keep up the good work.