Collage of the 30 Paintings In 30 Days Challenge - The Bird Series by Mary Beth Brath

The Bird Series by Mary Beth Brath

The 2015 Leslie Saeta 30 Paintings In 30 Days Challenge is complete! For the past 30 days, I have disciplined myself to create a painting a day. No excuses. I choose a theme of common birds that I have spotted over the years. This took away the stress of deciding what to paint every day. The list of birds was written down on paper in the month of December. I decided to make them all the same size on the same substrate, 6x6" acrylic paint on canvas paper. My drafting table was organized and ready to go. I had several of my own books on birding to use as reference, a few of my own images and of course I researched online. The basic shape and color patterns were studied. Then the composition and design came as I did the painting. Some are silly. Some more serious. All are fun. Enjoy.

 

Stay tuned for exhibit information to see this series in person. The internet is fun to view artwork, but original art must be seen in person to see the correct color, brushwork and texture.

 

Thank you - MB

30 Paintings In 30 Days Challenge Day No. 30 - Cormorant by Mary Beth Brath

Cormorant by Mary Beth Brath

I have taken the challenge by Leslie Saeta to complete 30 paintings in 30 days. Each painting will be 6x6" on canvas paper. I picked a theme of birds to keep me focused. The 30 birds chosen as subject matter are all birds that I have spotted over the years. Most are common in my region.

Painting No. 30

 

The final painting for the 30 Day Challenge is the Cormorant. When I look at the entire series, I see a mix of backyard birds, woodland birds and shore birds. Much of my life has been spent traveling between Northwestern Pa and Cape May New Jersey.

 

Thank you to all of the followers on facebook and blogger. You are what kept me going through the month. Thank you Leslie Saeta for organizing the challenge and making the sharing process so easy.

 

The paintings are available for purchase at $100 each - unframed. Shipping included. Sales tax of 6% if in the state of Pennsylvania. Contact me at mbbbrath@gmail.com.

 

www.marybethbrath.com

30 Paintings In 30 Days Challenge Day No. 29 - Glossy Ibis by Mary Beth Brath

Glossy Ibis by Mary Beth Brath

I have taken the challenge by Leslie Saeta to complete 30 paintings in 30 days. Each painting will be 6x6" on canvas paper. I picked a theme of birds to keep me focused. The 30 birds chosen as subject matter are all birds that I have spotted over the years. Most are common in my region.

Painting No. 29

 

Today's bird is the Glossy Ibis. I spotted a small group of these birds at Cameron State Park in Cape May County New Jersey. I highly recommend this park for artists and explorers. The waterlilies are amazing.

 

The paintings are available for purchase at $100 each - unframed. Shipping included. Sales tax of 6% if in the state of Pennsylvania. Contact me at mbbbrath@gmail.com.

 

www.marybethbrath.com

30 Paintings In 30 Days Challenge Day No. 28 - Ring-necked Pheasant by Mary Beth Brath

Ring-necked Pheasant by Mary Beth Brath

I have taken the challenge by Leslie Saeta to complete 30 paintings in 30 days. Each painting will be 6x6" on canvas paper. I picked a theme of birds to keep me focused. The 30 birds chosen as subject matter are all birds that I have spotted over the years. Most are common in my region.

Painting No. 28

 

Today's bird is the Ring-necked Pheasant. This bird was a lot of work to paint. The digital image came out cooler than the actual painting. Posting artwork online is a joy but artwork must be viewed in person to see the true colors, textures and details etc.

 

The paintings are available for purchase at $100 each - unframed. Shipping included. Sales tax of 6% if in the state of Pennsylvania. Contact me at mbbbrath@gmail.com.

 

www.marybethbrath.com

30 Paintings In 30 Days Challenge Day No. 27 - Black Skimmer by Mary Beth Brath

Black Skimmer by Mary Beth Brath

I have taken the challenge by Leslie Saeta to complete 30 paintings in 30 days. Each painting will be 6x6" on canvas paper. I picked a theme of birds to keep me focused. The 30 birds chosen as subject matter are all birds that I have spotted over the years. Most are common in my region.

Painting No. 27

 

Today's bird is the Black Skimmer. These birds put on quite a show when they glide down and "skim" the top of the water with their beak to catch their dinner. I have seen these in Cape May New Jersey while exploring the coastal walking trails.

 

The paintings are available for purchase at $100 each - unframed. Shipping included. Sales tax of 6% if in the state of Pennsylvania. Contact me at mbbbrath@gmail.com.

 

www.marybethbrath.com

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge Day No. 26 - Common Loon by Mary Beth Brath

Common Loon by Mary Beth Brath

I have taken the challenge by Leslie Saeta to complete 30 paintings in 30 days. Each painting will be 6x6" on canvas paper. I picked a theme of birds to keep me focused. The 30 birds chosen as subject matter are all birds that I have spotted over the years. Most are common in my region.

Painting No. 26

 

Today's bird is the Common Loon. Did you know that loons have a hard time standing since their legs are so far back? This is why you always see photos and artwork of this bird while they are lying in their nest or floating in the water. They nest right next to the water's edge so they don't have to walk. 

 

The paintings are available for purchase at $100 each - unframed. Shipping included. Sales tax of 6% if in the state of Pennsylvania. Contact me at mbbbrath@gmail.com.

30 Paintings In 30 Days Challenge Day No. 25 - Black Crowned Night Heron by Mary Beth Brath

Black Crowned Night Heron by Mary Beth Brath

I have taken the challenge by Leslie Saeta to complete 30 paintings in 30 days. Each painting will be 6x6" on canvas paper. I picked a theme of birds to keep me focused. The 30 birds chosen as subject matter are all birds that I have spotted over the years. Most are common in my region.

Painting No. 25

 

Today's bird is the Black Crowned Night Heron. I have only seen one of these herons. It was about 25 years ago at my husband's family marina in Southern New Jersey. I was so fascinated watching the large, clunky bird roost in a cherry tree that was on a tiny island in the lagoon.

 

The paintings are available for purchase at $100 each - unframed. Shipping included. Sales tax of 6% if in the state of Pennsylvania. Contact me at mbbbrath@gmail.com.

 

www.marybethbrath.com

30 Paintings In 30 Days Challenge Day No. 24 - Herring Gull by Mary Beth Brath

Herring Gull by Mary Beth Brath

I have taken the challenge by Leslie Saeta to complete 30 paintings in 30 days. Each painting will be 6x6" on canvas paper. I picked a theme of birds to keep me focused. The 30 birds chosen as subject matter are all birds that I have spotted over the years. Most are common in my region.

Painting No. 24

 

Today's bird is the Herring Gull. Ahh the sounds of summer. I love to hear the gulls when at the shore. They can be quite a nuisance when food is within reach.

 

The paintings are available for purchase at $100 each - unframed. Shipping included. Sales tax of 6% if in the state of Pennsylvania. Contact me at mbbbrath@gmail.com.

 

www.marybethbrath.com

30 Paintings In 30 Days Challenge Day No. 23 - Belted Kingfisher by Mary Beth Brath

Belted Kingfisher by Mary Beth Brath

I have taken the challenge by Leslie Saeta to complete 30 paintings in 30 days. Each painting will be 6x6" on canvas paper. I picked a theme of birds to keep me focused. The 30 birds chosen as subject matter are all birds that I have spotted over the years. Most are common in my region.

Painting No. 23

 

Today's bird is the Belted Kingfisher. These fascinating birds are seen above rivers and streams diving from tree branches into the water below to catch fish for dinner.

 

The paintings are available for purchase at $100 each - unframed. Shipping included. Sales tax of 6% if in the state of Pennsylvania. Contact me at mbbbrath@gmail.com.

 

www.marybethbrath.com

30 Paintings In 30 Days Challenge Day No. 22 - Redwing Blackbird by Mary Beth Brath

Redwing Blackbird by Mary Beth Brath

I have taken the challenge by Leslie Saeta to complete 30 paintings in 30 days. Each painting will be 6x6" on canvas paper. I picked a theme of birds to keep me focused. The 30 birds chosen as subject matter are all birds that I have spotted over the years. Most are common in my region.

Painting No. 22

 

Today's bird is a Redwing Blackbird. I love the way these birds balance on tall weeds.

 

The paintings are available for purchase at $100 each - unframed. Shipping included. Sales tax of 6% if in the state of Pennsylvania. Contact me at mbbbrath@gmail.com.

 

www.marybethbrath.com

30 Paintings In 30 Days Challenge Day No. 21 - Eastern Bluebird by Mary Beth Brath

Eastern Bluebird by Mary Beth Brath

I have taken the challenge by Leslie Saeta to complete 30 paintings in 30 days. Each painting will be 6x6" on canvas paper. I picked a theme of birds to keep me focused. The 30 birds chosen as subject matter are all birds that I have spotted over the years. Most are common in my region.

Painting No. 21

 

Today's bird is the Eastern Bluebird. One time when I was plein air painting in Perry County PA, I was sitting on the ground in a field painting a landscape with a bluebird box in the scene. Two bluebirds were flying in and out of the box and happily playing. I was in heaven. Then I realized I was sitting just inches from a pile of deer pellets. So happy I did not sit in the pellets!

 

The paintings are available for purchase at $100 each - unframed. Shipping included. Sales tax of 6% if in the state of Pennsylvania. Contact me at mbbbrath@gmail.com.

 

www.marybethbrath.com

30 Paintings In 30 Days Challenge Day No. 20 - Mourning Dove by Mary Beth Brath

Mourning Dove by Mary Beth Brath

I have taken the challenge by Leslie Saeta to complete 30 paintings in 30 days. Each painting will be 6x6" on canvas paper. I picked a theme of birds to keep me focused. The 30 birds chosen as subject matter are all birds that I have spotted over the years. Most are common in my region.

Painting No. 20

 

Today's bird is a Mourning Dove. I am not sure if this bird's call calms me or depresses me.

 

The paintings are available for purchase at $100 each - unframed. Shipping included. Sales tax of 6% if in the state of Pennsylvania. Contact me at mbbbrath@gmail.com.

 

www.marybethbrath.com

30 Paintings In 30 Days Challenge Day No. 19 - House Finch by Mary Beth Brath

House Finch by Mary Beth Brath

I have taken the challenge by Leslie Saeta to complete 30 paintings in 30 days. Each painting will be 6x6" on canvas paper. I picked a theme of birds to keep me focused. The 30 birds chosen as subject matter are all birds that I have spotted over the years. Most are common in my region.

Painting No. 19

 

Today's bird is a Northern Flicker. The Flicker is a type of Woodpecker that can often be seen hunting for ants on the ground.

 

The paintings are available for purchase at $100 each - unframed. Shipping included. Sales tax of 6% if in the state of Pennsylvania. Contact me at mbbbrath@gmail.com.

 

www.marybethbrath.com

30 Paintings In 30 Days Challenge Day No. 18 - Flicker by Mary Beth Brath

Northern Flicker by Mary Beth Brath

I have taken the challenge by Leslie Saeta to complete 30 paintings in 30 days. Each painting will be 6x6" on canvas paper. I picked a theme of birds to keep me focused. The 30 birds chosen as subject matter are all birds that I have spotted over the years. Most are common in my region.

Painting No. 18

 

Today's bird is a Northern Flicker. The Flicker is a type of Woodpecker that can often be seen hunting for ants on the ground.

 

The paintings are available for purchase at $100 each - unframed. Shipping included. Sales tax of 6% if in the state of Pennsylvania. Contact me at mbbbrath@gmail.com.

 

www.marybethbrath.com

30 Paintings In 30 Days Challenge Day No. 17 - Cedar Waxwing by Mary Beth Brath

Cedar Waxwing by Mary Beth Brath

I have taken the challenge by Leslie Saeta to complete 30 paintings in 30 days. Each painting will be 6x6" on canvas paper. I picked a theme of birds to keep me focused. The 30 birds chosen as subject matter are all birds that I have spotted over the years. Most are common in my region.

Painting No. 17

 

Today's bird is a Cedar Waxwing. Over 10 years ago I was visiting Cape May County in New Jersey and my father-in-law's neighbor had a scrub pine with a flock of cedar waxwings flitting about the branches. Up until then I had only seen one or two at a time. To see several right next to me at eye level was incredible.

 

The paintings are available for purchase at $100 each - unframed. Shipping included. Sales tax of 6% if in the state of Pennsylvania. Contact me at mbbbrath@gmail.com.

 

www.marybethbrath.com