Cindy Gosselin  

Blue Heron Pair by Cindy Gosselin

May 2023 - Blue Heron Pair

May 2023 - Cindy Gosselin

Original

May 2023 - Cindy Gosselin

Original 2

About the Image(s)

Whenever I’m visiting Florida’s West Coast, I go to the Venice Rookery. I’m always looking for birds in flight, those that have young, or nesting behaviors. I loved the interaction and pose of this pair of herons. Since the chicks weren’t entirely visible, I thought it would make a good painting. My initial painting (entirely in PS using various mixer brushes), was painted the same way the image was captured. But then, I decided to crop it as a vertical and make the background a bit more dramatic. To me, this allowed the interaction of the two birds to stand out.

Editorial comment: I reluctantly confess that I have not created a new painting in about six months. To date, though, I have about 100 completed paintings. As I search monthly for a painting to post to this group, it brings me back to these images. Looking at them, and the paintings posted monthly by the other wonderful members of this group, is giving me inspiration to start painting again.

4 comments posted

Nancy Speaker   Nancy Speaker
The Herons are such graceful birds and their capture is so romantic. Equally, your brush strokes and background are flawless. I agree the Rookeries on the Florida coast are unbelievable in the Spring. One year we traveled there in January and then returned in April. It was the best time, as we saw the nesting and then the babies.

You need not worry about using older work as we all have this problem with finding time for our art. Friends in my Art Circle who are very accomplished, strive to paint daily if possible. I think this is why they are so accomplished. Lately, I have just made it a priority to do one painting a month and even then I don't always make it.   Posted: 05/15/2023 12:18:36
Martha Aguero   Martha Aguero
A piece of art this paint, looks like they are breath in, the feathers seems very fluffy, beautifully done.   Posted: 05/15/2023 22:36:36
Pat Centeno   Pat Centeno
This is a 'way beautiful painting, Cindy, particularly with the background you added. However, I loved seeing the pair in the original, standing over their fledglings (if that's the correct term) and thinking how unique to see an entire bird family together in a single shot. So I wish you could have found a way to include those in the nest, despite not having all you wanted to see, down there. But I still say you did beautifully with your vision of just the pair.
No need to apologize about using older shots and not being able to keep producing so often, especially with a huge body of work ready to be exposed to the comments and appreciation of the group.
It's good to read your "confession", though, and know that we all have various reasons why it can be difficult to keep up with producing new stuff each month, with those of us who shot more photos in the past that we've forgotten to use and need to bring to light with a new treatment.   Posted: 05/23/2023 13:07:16
Trey Foerster   Trey Foerster
Just lovely, no suggestions for improvement. I wondered about the cropping off the bird's tail end, but you are correct about the final image feeling more intimate. The background is well chosen and done.   Posted: 05/27/2023 11:06:51

 

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