STALKING EGRET,6x8, OIL, SOLD

I think waterbirds are so interesting to watch. Here in Florida we have such a large variety of them. I would not attempt to name them all, but I'm pretty sure this is an egret, maybe even a Snowy Egret. I think they are one of the prettier birds around and when they have their plumes up they are almost as showy as a peacock.
I enjoyed painting this little piece, especially layering on the thick creamy paint on his back. Almost as good as eating ice cream!
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Daily Painting| Wildlife Art | Bird Painting| Small Oil Painting | The Hunt by Carol Schiff 8x10" Oil

We spent a few days on Sanibel recently.  It is such a lovely experience, like living in the middle of a nature preserve.

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I ran into this guy on an early morning walk.  He was under the causeway and all business.

It was only a matter of minutes before he had his breakfast.

It must have been a favorite fishing spot in the area, because he was surrounded by lazy pelicans (they were watching, not working) and several fishermen in boats.  None of this seem to bother him.



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Palms Along the River, Florida Oil Landscape of St. John's River by Judy Batterson, Florida Artist

We rented a houseboat from Holly Bluff Marina near DeLand, Florida, and took it on the St. John's River for the weekend. What we found was total pristine wilderness with beautiful tall palms lining the river's edge. I took my sketchbook and paints to capture the water, birds, and trees. This painting has been chosen for the 2013 Artists Registry Exhibit which shows two works of art by 80 artists from around the state. 12x24 original oil.

Stillness on the Tomoka, Oil Painting of Old Florida by Judy Batterson

On the east coast of Florida, the Tomoka River is a pristine wilderness that has not changed. I was asked to capture this in a painting by a friend who grew up on the Tomoka. I did site visits, sketches and took photos of this beautiful river. There was such a sense of peace with the gentle flow of the river. Some areas had dense areas of mangroves, palms and underbrush. Other mangrove clumps opened up to the sky, allowing sunlight to reflect off of the water. A white egret stood out against the darker water while other birds flew overhead. This river is "old Florida" appreciated by nature lovers everywhere. Original Oil 24"H x 36"W.

Stillness On The Tomoka, Florida Oil Landscape of Palms, River, Egret by Judy Batterson

On the Florida east coast, the Tomoka River is a pristine wilderness river. I was asked by a friend who grew up there to capture this in a painting . I did site visits, sketches and took photos. There was such a sense of peace with the gentle flow of the river. Some areas had dense mangroves, palms and underbrush. Other mangroves opened up to the sky, allowing sunlight to reflect off of the water. A white egret stood out against the dark water while birds flew overhead. This river is "old Florida" appreciated by nature lovers everywhere. The commissioned 24 x 36" original oil is sold, but giclees are available ($425).

Egret and Lily Pads, a Tropical Oil Landscape by Judy Batterson

I was standing next to this pond when suddenly a large white egret swooped down and landed in the water. The egret ignored me and went about the business of catching fish and eating them. I took as many photos as I could while the bird was occupied with fishing! The setting and lighting were perfect. The dark water was a perfect contrast for the white bird. The lily pads added an impressionistic touch. It was a Florida moment meant to be painted. The bright colors add a whimsical touch. 16 x 20 Original Oil on canvas. wwwljudybatterson.com

Stillness On The Tomoka, Florida Oil Landscape of Palms, River, Egret by Judy Batterson in a painting sequence.

This photo is the fourth one in a sequence of a painting of the Tomoka River. After starting with the background, now the foreground and underbrush along the riverbanks are painted using a stiff bristle brush to achieve the effect of foliage. These dark areas form the shadows before the highlights are painted in. For more Florida landscapes, go to www.judybatterson.com

Stillness On The Tomoka, Florida Oil Landscape of Palms, River, Egret by Judy Batterson in a painting sequence.

This is the first step in a commission painting of the Tomoka River which is near Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach. I went to Tomoka State Park to view the river and take many photos from all accessible parts of the river. There is such a tranquility there, and yet it is so close to a populated area. I took my photos and sketches back to the studio to start a composition. This photo shows my first step in laying out the composition. For more Florida landscapes, visit my website www.judybatterson.com.