Nesting Instinct

"Nesting Instinct"

​As I was watching a robin build her nest this morning, in the same place as last year, I thought about different birds and the variation of nests they build. How do they know what to build, where to build it, what to do with it ... how to guard it? Instinct is an interesting word ... I think someone thought up the word 'instinct' to answer all of these questions. Only the good Lord knows how these creatures do what they do, but I sure enjoy observing them. That's why they make their way onto my canvases. Today's painting features a rich background of blues, teals and golds .. and of course, a chickadee. How did I decide what to paint again? Was it instinct? ;) This painting is available at DailyPaintworks.

Baby Chick No. 4

"Baby Chick No. 4"

With Spring on the horizon ... even as we received a fresh four inches of fluffy white snow this morning ... I'm posting a series of 'baby chickadee' paintings, this one titled Baby Chick No. 4. The baby in the name refers to the sizes of these pieces, a mere 4"wx4"h. I've never painted a nest of baby birds, but that would be a fun composition, especially a robin holding a big fat juicy nightcrawler over half a dozen open beaks. I observed a nest of baby birds once, and I noticed the beaks would pop out of the nest before the momma bird was in sight, and I thought that the babies could hear the familiar sound of mom's wings flapping in order to slow down prior to landing on the delicate nest. Anyways ... if you like this piece, this one is available on my dailypaintworks gallery, which is an online community of artists who paint, give eachother feedback and support, and occasionally sell a painting, which to an artist is equivalent to a hungry baby bird getting a big fat juicy nightcrawler.
Please visit my DailyPaintworks gallery page for more information on today's piece.

Keeping Watch

"Keeping Watch" 6"w x 6"h $65

Here's another piece from DailyPaintworks, which is an online artist community of daily painters. I paint daily, I don't always finish a painting a day ... I tend to have several works in progress at any given time. But it's still fun to browse through other painter's online portfolios. On a side note, I almost got mowed down by a woodpecker on my morning walk today. This guy was about 12" wide at the wingspan, with a black body and a red head. After my heart beat went back down to normal, I noticed he would be a great bird to paint. Now that I'm wide awake thanks to an over-territorial woodpecker, I'm off to the easel on a nice sunny Monday morning.
This piece is available at DailyPaintworks.

Red & Green

"Red & Green" 6"w x 6"h

It's been a while since I posted something to the DailyPaintworks website, so I thought I'd upload a couple paintings. It's fun to chat with other artists and get feedback on work and encourage one another. I've let that artistic community slide and it's funny how quickly you can feel isolated even in this age of social media. OK, I may be waxing poetic but this piece is titled Red & Green and can be purchased at DailyPaintworks. Stay warm! -Aaron

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/aaron-kloss/red-and-green/182680

Autumn Layers

"Autumn Layers" 12"w x 6"h

Here is one more piece from my Daily Paintworks site. This one features a distant cobalt ridge that is about as subtle as a distant cobalt ridge could be! The birch trees are the focus and subject of this piece, but I enjoy studying works and finding subtle things to enjoy ... a certain brush stroke, a color, a depth of texture ... that's what I enjoy the most. The subject is important, but so is the skill of the artist and the execution of the work ... and the subtle shades of color and texture that bring a smile to the painter's face. :)

For more information on today's piece, please visit:
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/aaron-kloss/autumn-layers/129795

Birch Forest Blues

"Birch Forest Blues" 10"w x 10"h

This night painting has a very calming effect on me. Life has been a little too fast and the cobalt blue skies and deep foreground shadows make me want to pause and take it all in. This piece is featured on my Daily Paintworks page ... which is an online artist community. I don't frequently post there, I just enjoy the fellowship and will add work every so often so they can get a feel for my style. That's all for now, happy Friday!!
-A

For more information on today's painting, please visit:
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/aaron-kloss/birch-forest-blues/129399

Two's Company

"Two's Company" 8"w x 8"h

These guys are probably talking about the political campaign spending topping six billion this year. They are probably thinking the money could go to better uses .. like bird seed and birch trees. Happy Friday! ;)

This painting is available through my Daily Paintworks online gallery.

Rosy Cheeks

"Rosy Cheeks" 8"w x 8"h

I couldn't resist having a little fun with this title. It won't be long before the snow flies here in Duluth, MN. I just love a red cardinal on a sunny day with crisp white birch trees. I have a couple more cardinal paintings to post, then next week I'll focus more on the landscape .. perhaps with more twilight lighting. Please stop back soon. :)

This painting is available through my Daily Paintworks online gallery.

Listening In

'Listening In' 8"w x 8"h

Just a little red rascal perched on a birch.
Have a happy and safe Halloween. :)

This painting is available through my Daily Paintworks online gallery.

Daily Painting: Cardinal in Green

Cardinal in Green, 8"w x 8"h

 A casual cardinal in a birch branch flanked by evergreen ridges in the distance. Red and green are such festive colors, aren't they?

This painting is available through my Daily Paintworks online gallery.