New work! Portrait 4 - Barred Owl

One morning, a while back, I was walking peacefully on the trail with Maggie, my faithful companion at that time. There were wild roses and a barn and a tree with a swing. We were minding our own business, looking and sniffing, when a barred owl dove down right smack in front of us, inches away, grabbed a chipmunk, and darted off. We stopped short, shocked and dumbfounded to say the least. Did we really see that? Maggie looked at me, I looked at her and nervously shook my head. Even the wild turkey was upset. What can you say? What can you do? We continued on our way but it was a different kind of walk after that.

Since then I have seen a number of things like this, one animal preying on another. This is the way of it and while I don’t enjoy seeing it I have to accept it. I also know that it’s not my business to interfere.

Here is a small depiction of that event. Perhaps you remember that I painted this story several years ago in a much larger piece. I’ll never forget it. I wish you’d seen it too.

“Portrait 4 - Barred Owl”
6 x 6 inches
Acrylic on claybord
Framed and wired
$400

I’m offering free domestic shipping on any order from May 9 through May 12.

This painting is available in my shop here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1712634544/original-acrylic-painting-barred-owl?click_key=882a9f8517b80ecc53dd4fe47815dcc479bf4a45%3A1712634544&click_sum=0b5f0c79&ref=shop_home_active_1

Prints of this image are available here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1726807481/art-print-portrait-barred-owl-chipmunk?click_key=afe08e645f7ee8dcd69be29fae7e9f1da6c6583f%3A1726807481&click_sum=09050b09&ref=shop_home_active_2

Thank you for reading along!

“Portrait 4 - Barred Owl detail.”

“Portrait 4 - Barred Owl detail.”

“Portrait 4 - Barred Owl detail.”

A Story of Three Bears - A New Painting

Tilly and I are in the garden when we hear some loud rustling in the woods right behind the house. Usually rustling means chipmunks or squirrels which are really nothing special but this was extra loud rustling. We had to take a look. We see black bears from time to time and know to stay calm and still when we do. Fortunately Tilly was on her leash just in case. Here were three adolescents, romping while in a line, heading north towards Kingston. They move beside the swamp which is beautiful as always. The recently built beaver dam is masterful. There are birds, turtles, a squirrel, and a red eft. Bumble bees hum in the hydrangeas. There’s a fisher too, giving me a shiver. I figure the mother bear is up ahead somewhere, keeping an eye but letting go a bit. Her babies are nearly grown.

“Three Bears”
Acrylic on claybord panel
18 x 24 inches
This piece will be exhibited in November at the Roxbury Arts Center.
It is spoken for.
Prints are available. See below.

My Etsy shop is open again and I’m running a sale. 20% off any purchase from March 20 through Sunday March 24.
You can find prints of the “Three Bears” here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1684296836/art-print-of-original-painting-three?click_key=3cb2c1fa6eb0c01f12ac0b7261e760259e9ab84c%3A1684296836&click_sum=0a13be6a&ref=shop_home_active_1

Thank you for taking a look at what I’ve been up to!

“Three Bears” detail.

“Three Bears” detail.

“Three Bears” detail.

“Three Bears” detail.

Small Portrait #3 - Wild Turkey

This is the third piece in my series of portraits, a second wild turkey. Turns out I’m enjoying these small paintings. And you know I love wild turkeys.

Here’s a quiet country road on a moonlit night. She passes the barn then stops and turns her head, wary, careful. There are other turkeys nearby but she’s heard a strange sound, maybe unfriendly, that stops her short. We see her here, her head catching the light, feathers glowing. She’ll be moving on shortly.

“Portrait #3 - Wild Turkey”
6 x 6 inches
Acrylic on claybord
$450.00

If you’re interested in this small painting please leave a note below in comments.
My Etsy shop is still closed but will be reopening soon in March

Thanks for taking a look!

“Portrait #3 - Wild Turkey” detail.

“Portrait #3 - Wild Turkey” detail.

“Portrait #3 - Wild Turkey” detail.

Hello! I'm back with a new drawing.

Please forgive my absence. It’s been a ridiculous summer with a carpenter ant infestation, a bedroom ceiling that collapsed due to a water leak, and a porch repair that needed doing twice. Don’t ask. I hope your summer has been more fun than mine.

Although my own work has progressed slowly I did manage to complete this drawing which I donated to the Paper Unframed online auction benefitting the Woodstock Artists Association Museum. The auction is running now through September 24. There’s also a timed auction Sunday the 24th at 2:00pm. All contemporary work in the auction, like this drawing, starts at $100 and historic work starts at $240 with proceeds benefitting the museum and its educational programs. If you’d like to take a look here’s a link:
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/298857_paper-unframed-benefit-art-auction/

Dogwood and Deer
10 x 9 inches
Prismacolor pencil on black Fabriano Drawing Paper

This is a small colored pencil drawing. The doe and fawn appear beneath some pale pink flowering dogwood, grasses underfoot, busy spider above. If you were to visit me in the spring I would show you just where this little scene occurred. It’s right up the road in a spot that the rabbits like too.

I have prints of this drawing in my Etsy shop. Etsy is offering $5 off any purchase of $25 or more through today, Sunday September 17.
You can find the prints here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1567878741/art-print-original-colored-pencil?click_key=cde756235c6f00ef444e8c39b10a162c726d54fe%3A1567878741&click_sum=3c81812b&ref=shop_home_active_1&sts=1

Thank you for following along! It’s most appreciated.

“Dogwood and Deer” detail.

“Dogwood and Deer” detail.

A Mystery. The Letter.

It’s early evening, crescent moon and stars in the sky. Dogwoods bloom along with all those other things. Wood ducks enjoy the peace. The lady of the house has received something interesting in the mail. Her faithful companion awaits her in another room, curious about the letter, knowing she’ll confide. Outside the garden and marsh are busy. An impressive snapper, new life.

“The Letter” detail.

“The Letter” detail.

This is my latest acrylic painting. I enjoyed this one. I wanted to do a night scene and I wanted to feature the big snapper that comes up to my yard every year to lay her eggs. I’ve never seen any of the eggs hatching nor have I ever seen any of the hatchlings. But if there have been some baby turtles I’m sure they’d make for the marsh and this is what they’d look like. I hadn’t planned such a detailed reflection in the marsh of the house and it’s inhabitants and although I found it tricky to do I’m pleased with the result.

Prints of this image are available in my Etsy shop. You can find them here:https://www.etsy.com/listing/872090607/art-print-original-painting-house-and?ref=shop_home_active_1

I’m also offering 20% off on any order from November 3 through November 7. You can find my shop here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/NatalieWargin

As always I want to thank you for your interest in my work.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

“The Letter” detail.

Hello again...finally!

Well, it has been a while, hasn’t it? Like many of you I have been plain off kilter. Although, since March, I continued to paint and draw I felt myself lose momentum. There became fewer and fewer opportunities for artists to show and share work. My pace slowed. But I want to get back to this newsletter, to let you see what I’ve been doing. I hope you’ve all been faring well and will continue to do so while the situation gets sorted.

“Chasing Turkeys” detail.

One morning Maggie and I were walking in the woods above our house, on a deer path near the Upper Filigree. The deer were still sleeping. You can see the chipmunks resting safely in the stone wall. There’s a red tailed hawk in the red tree waiting them out. Red efts watch the from the rocks along the stream. It was very early spring and there was a dusting of snow so I could see the fresh turkey tracks. I heard them before I saw them and when we rounded a bend I warned Maggie not to chase the turkeys up ahead of us. But how silly of me. How could she resist? I knew the birds would elude her and Maggie was so happy with her harmless rousting. Happy doggie, unharmed birds, nice little anecdote.
”Chasing Turkeys,” acrylic on panel, 18 x 24 inches.

I’ve been tidying up my Etsy shop, relisting many items that had expired. I’m offering free domestic shipping on any order from October 1 through October 7. You can take a look here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/NatalieWargin

Thanks so much for your interest in my work. It’s truly appreciated.

“Chasing Turkeys” detail.

“Chasing Turkeys” detail.

“Chasing Turkeys” detail.

Let's Not Fight

“The Fight” detail.

“The Fight” detail.

“The Fight” detail.

I heard a story from a hunter about two does who fought over an apple. How intriguing. The deer I see, and I truly see them every day, seem so docile and calm. I’ll occasionally hear one huffing a mild protest but an actual fight? I did some research and not only can you find photos you can also see fights in action. I was shocked and inspired. Here’s the result. It’s a blue sky day in autumn, the oaks are full of bright leaves and acorns. Chattering birds and a single leaping squirrel seem surprisingly uninterested in the situation below them. A quiet red fox walks out of the tree line. In the center two bucks are in a tangle. Is it a fight? Is it a dance? Do the two does figure into this situation? I’ll let you decide.

“The Fight.”
Acrylic on panel, 24 x 18 inches.

This image is available as a print in my shop. You can find it here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/762761807/art-print-original-acrylic-painting-of?ref=shop_home_active_1
Receive 20% off any order from December 18 through December 20.
My shop will close on December 21. Any orders received by the 21st will be filled.

Thank you all for your continued interest in my work. I wish you the most joyful of holidays!
See you in the spring!

Meteor Showers. One more for the show.

"Meteor Shower" detail

"Meteor Shower" detail

"Meteor Shower" detail

A couple of years ago my husband and I decided to watch a juicy meteor shower that had been predicted.  Coming from Chicago, with all of its ambient light, we'd never had an opportunity to do this. But the wide open skies of the valley gave us a good opportunity.  Here's my depiction with some license taken.  In reality this happened at 2 am on a frigid January morning.  We bundled up and took blankets and quilts outside to lay on and wrap up in. Maggie took one look at this and walked right back inside.  Here in the painting I've made the night a warmer one with turkeys bedding down in the trees and deer eating my plantings. In the sky is a ridiculous display of stars and flying meteors, a slight exaggeration.

This is the final piece for my show, number eleven.  If you're interested in purchasing this painting please get in touch through the contact page or send me an email.  And if you're near Gardiner, NY between noon and 2pm on November 18 stop by the Gardiner Library.  I'm having a small reception and would love to meet you.

Ten New Paintings!

For the past ten months or so I've been busy working on new paintings for my November show at the Gardiner Library. I've completed ten - a visual representation of my beautiful surroundings. They are a timely reminder of what we can lose if we're not careful.  

I'm offering all of these paintings for sale now, prior to the show, with the understanding that they won't ship until after the show closes on December 30.  I hope you like this collection. To purchase a painting please contact me via the "Contact" page or at natalie@nataliewargin.com. You can also email me for detail images of any of the paintings or for a more detailed price list with a description of each piece.  And you can see my work-in-progress
at instagram.com/nataliewargin/

If you're nearby you can check out the show or come and meet me at the reception.
The show runs from November 14 through December 30. 
Opening reception:
Saturday, November 18 from 12pm until 2pm.
Gardiner Library
133 Farmer's Turnpike
Gardiner, NY  12525
 

"Vultures at High Falls"
24" x 18"
Acrylic on birch panel
$2200.

"Maggie"
18" x 24"
Acrylic on birch panel
$2200.

"Slabsides"
24" x 18" 
Acrylic on birch panel
$2200.

"Lodges"
18" x 24" 
Acrylic on birch panel
$2200.

"Pleasant"
18" x 24"
Acrylic on birch panel
$3200.

"Red Barn with Fox"
12" x 18"
Acrylic gouache on birch panel
$900.

"Coyote"
18" x 12"
Acrylic on birch panel
$900.

"Autumn Orchard"
12" x 16"
Acrylic on birch panel
$1200.

"Winter Barns"
12" x 18"
Acrylic on birch panel
$1200.

Again, If you have questions please email me via the "Contact" page or at natalie@nataliewargin.com.  Thanks for taking a look!

New Painting + S A L E

"Early Snow" detail

"Early Snow" detail

"Early Snow" detail

In a way this is a study for a larger painting that I'm planning.  I've been wanting to paint sleeping deer ever since Maggie and I discovered the place in the woods where several of them sleep.  We were walking beyond the ridge behind our house -- there are hundreds of wooded acres back there -- and we found a well-sheltered spot with eight hollowed ovals in the snow.  I figured out what they were fairly quickly and the realization was accompanied by my usual "Wow!" There were trees all around, tall pines that blocked the sunlight.  In fact, the soft light filtering through the needled branches almost looked green.  
The place was secluded and felt safe.  

Here they are, the resting deer, protected by the rare red tree.  The fancy house in the background is inspired by Sunnyside, the home of Washington Irving here on the Hudson River.  The Hudson banks were favored by many influential people, close enough to the city but just far enough away to be a retreat.  

This is a small painting, watercolor and gouache, 5 1/2 x 6 inches.  It's available in my shop here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/267191746/original-watercolor-painting-early-snow?ref=shop_home_active_2
You can find prints of "Early Snow" here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/267252295/art-print-original-watercolor-early-snow?ref=listing-shop-header-0

I am having a big birthday on Sunday.  A milestone.  I invite you to join in my celebration.
 I am offering 25% off anything in my shop including original art.  
This sale will run from Saturday through Sunday, February 13 -14.
Coupon code:  MILESTONE

New Painting -- A view from the Cottekill Trail

I see a lot of deer these days.  It must be the time of year.  I'll be running on the trail and they'll walk out of the woods and stand in my path, looking at me as I get closer and closer to them.  It's a delight to see them though I worry that I can get so close before they leap away.  I know that animals are far from stupid.  Most, I suspect, are much more intelligent than we egotistical humans will allow.  But I don't want the wild animals around here to ever trust people.  Hunting season is around the corner.

I pass this spot on the Cottekill trail.  The trail is bordered by woods and all sorts of small plants.  That funny lattice structure is a puzzlement.  There are houses beyond and the mountains of course.  This is a cool morning with smoke from wood stoves in the air.  You can also spot bunnies, a squirrel, and one deer a-leaping.

This is a 12 x 16" acrylic painting on birch board.  It's titled "Over."
https://www.etsy.com/listing/248611494/original-acrylic-painting-a-view-from?ref=shop_home_active_1

Wild Turkey on Leggett Trail

This is an original acrylic painting of a lone wild tom turkey.  I have placed him in the surroundings where I see him -- woodland with wild roses, chipmunks and a small stream.  The painting is on a 9 x 12" (23 x 30cm) birch panel.  I haven't done an acrylic painting since high school.  This was fun and I will be doing more.

"Wild Turkey" detail

"Wild Turkey" detail

"Wild Turkey" detail

There's a section of the trail here that Maggie & I like to walk.   We access it from Leggett Road.  For the past couple of years we have been most fortunate to spot, from time to time, a  large lone wild turkey.  We saw him again recently.  He was close to the edge of the trail and I guess we startled him. He made a fuss and moved off. I think that he lives in the wild woodland that borders the particular section of the trail where we are likely to see him.  He seems robust and healthy but I wonder why he's always alone.  I try to stop myself from anthropomorphizing but I'm afraid he's lonely or maybe being ostracized. I told my sister, an area native, about this Tom and she said that she thinks turkeys sometimes spend time alone.  It's true that I don't see him very often so maybe he's usually with a flock.  Fabia and I decided that he was in a Garbo phase.  Not tremendously clever, I know, but it made us laugh anyway.

As I mentioned above I haven't worked with acrylics for a while and to me this looks so different from my watercolors.  Often I don't know what to think when I look at a painting I've finished and that was very true of this turkey.  There's something about this piece that reminds me of portraits that itinerant painters would do during colonial times.  Of course this is a turkey and not a well-to-do dry goods proprietor but still.  There's just something about it...

You can find this painting in my shop.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/239253709/original-painting-wild-tom-turkey-on?ref=shop_home_active_1

And you can use this code for free shipping on any order.  It's active through July 18.
FREESHIP

Work in Progress -- Herons

I've been asked a few times if I could show my progress on a painting so here goes.  This first image shows my light sketch and the beginning of the painting.  I've learned from experience that I should start on the important parts -- in this case the herons -- because if I'm not happy with the stars of the piece I will need to start again and I'd hate to throw away more work than I need to.  

"Herons"

I pass this pond on my daily rounds.  It's very close to a section of the rail trail that has a swamp with the most amazing array of birds, frogs, turtles, and snakes.  And beavers.  I usually see a single heron at the swamp without fail but one morning I saw this pair on the pond.  I had never seen a pair before and certainly never on the pond which is also close to a somewhat well traveled road.  It was early morning and still quiet and there they were, the happy couple.  The people who own the pond have planted dozens of daffodils.  The purple phlox is wild.  It's everywhere, the rocks too.  I added the dashing squirrels because I love to watch them flying through the trees.

This is a large painting for me, 12 x 18".  It's watercolor and gouache.  You can find it in my shop, together with prints of the image in various sizes:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/234865593/watercolor-original-painting-herons?ref=shop_home_active_1
https://www.etsy.com/listing/234866381/art-print-original-watercolor-herons?ref=listing-shop-header-0

Two Dogs on the Hudson

"Two Dogs" detail

"Two Dogs" detail

"Two Dogs" detail

I was asked to do a painting of two dogs in a Hudson Valley setting.  I have always loved dog portraits, especially old master formal pieces.  You know, the hunting scene with the dogs large in the foreground, horses and riders in their "pinks" in a tangle behind them.   Or better, the stiff profile of a dog standing in the foreground of a country scene; river, hills and woodland always in the background.  I admit I was a bit nonplussed by the request.  I have never thought of myself as a portraitist but the opportunity intrigued me.  I was provided with a number of photos of two handsome creatures.  This is the result.  Like so many of the old portraits I placed the dogs front and center.  The requested Valley landscape -- Hudson River, Catskills, red barn, farm animals, foliage -- are present and also mimic the old portraits.  But instead of a stiff traditional pose with the dog oblivious of the viewer, I have these two looking straight at us.  Less formal.  More like the dogs I know.

Prints of this painting are available in various sizes in my Etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/230363174/art-print-original-watercolor-painting?ref=shop_home_active_1

Bluebirds in a country setting

There are bluebirds here in the Hudson Valley.  They appear to be resident and they are not in the least bit unusual.  I clearly remember the first time I saw them flitting around my yard.  Although I'd never seen a bluebird in my life I recognized them immediately, what else could they be?  They looked like the little birds that dressed Sleeping Beauty and I felt like I might have fallen into a Disney special.  They are quiet little birds, extremely blue with peach breast feathers.  I first saw them in the spring and was surprised to still see them when the weather turned very cold.  The silly phrase "bluebird of happiness" comes to mind.  They are pretty and bright and not obviously aggressive like other birds I could name.  So if they are a good omen, and why not think so, I'm glad they stick around all year long.

The image above is a 9 x 12 inch (23 x 30cm) watercolor and gouache painting.  
It's available here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/225343590/original-watercolor-painting-bluebirds?

The images below are small studies for "Bluebirds in a Country Setting."  
They are also watercolor and gouache, 6 x 6 inches (15 x 15cm).  They are available here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/222544043/watercolor-painting-original-bluebird-in?ref=listing-shop-header-2

https://www.etsy.com/listing/222538885/watercolor-painting-original-bluebird-in?ref=listing-shop-header-3

And as a hurrah that Spring seems to finally be making an appearance please use this code to take 15% off any purchase in my shop:  SPRING15
Code is good until Friday March 20.

"Bluebird in Summer."  Study for "Bluebirds in a Country Setting."

"Bluebird in Winter."  Study for "Bluebirds in a Country Setting."

Bears in my yard...again

This is a new painting of three bears in my front yard.  I've titled it "Maggie" because of the dog standing near the red barn.  Maggie, as it turns out, is pretty smart, especially for a very nosey dog.  I've never known a dog so interested in absolutely everything but she knew better than to investigate the bears.  The mother bear was very aware of Maggie, standing at one point and staring right at her.  For some reason I wasn't particularly concerned but I did keep an eye on the dog from the side of the house, ready to grab her and dash in the house if I had to.

This is a watercolor and gouache painting, 11 x 14".  The painting itself and prints of the painting are available in my Etsy shop.  You can find them here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/222738890/watercolor-painting-original-maggie-dog
https://www.etsy.com/listing/221113089/art-print-original-watercolor-maggie-dog?ref=shop_home_active_1

What happens in my front yard

"Front Yard"

"Front Yard" detail

"Front Yard" detail

"Front Yard" detail

Black bears are one of the wonders around here.  My first spring I saw a mother and a cub walking up the ridge behind the house.  Everyone I told said the same thing: "Never get between a mother bear and her cub!"  I may be a city girl but seriously?  Since that first spring I've seen bears here and there, most recently a very large male standing next to the garage eying my thankfully oblivious dog who was goofing around in the driveway.

The bears that I've encountered seem relaxed and unfazed. Admittedly this happens at what feels like a safe distance although I'm sometimes close enough to get a good look.  They are large and dark and powerful & totally intriguing.   And very likely to run off at the sight of me.

Bear hunting is allowed here during a specified time.  I have a neighbor who killed one last fall and hung it from a tree right next to the road. Out for my morning run I glanced to the side and saw the bear hanging there.  I could have reached out and touched it.  I jumped a foot in the air and continued on, sad and unsettled.  

The painting is 6 x 6 inches (15 x 15 cm) on board.   
It's available in my Etsy shop.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/216295300/watercolor-painting-original-front-yard?ref=shop_home_active_1

No more weed paintings for a while

I'm pretty sure there are weeds like these everywhere -- weeds that resemble wheat.  They don't look like anything special until they bloom and go to seed.  Then there's a wild explosion of tangled tendrils and yellow seeds that look like a party skirt.  As for the chipmunk, he lives under my screen porch.  I see him everyday filling his cheeks and keeping an eye on me for any sudden movements.  I sit at my table painting or drawing and watch him through the patio doors as he stands up really tall, looking for who knows what.  Sometimes he just sits and admires the trees.  So smart.

This is the last of my "Weeds" series for now.  I've been working on a calendar that will feature weed paintings and , ta da!, I've got twelve.  

This painting is available in my Etsy shop.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/204003488/watercolor-painting-original-chipmunk

I have a very infrequent newsletter that features new items in my shop as well as special offers and discounts.  You can sign up here:
http://eepurl.com/UY5MD