Trudi Doyle Artist: January 2015

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Two Hares contemplate an Owl by Moonlight

I painted this watercolour last Autumn and uploaded it to my Etsy shop www.etsy.com/shop/ARTbyTRUDI
As a result I recently received a request to paint a larger version with a Hawaiian forest feel to it -
it is a present for twin baby boys - with Hawaiian connections

Rough start - with main elements

Bare branches suggest winter

Here is the process -

Snow began to fall ! ( Outside my window and in the painting ! )

I wanted to keep the bare trees and the moon appearing behind them which was a vital part of the original image so I imagined winter descending on a lush green forest !

Spot the Owl ?

This added a fantasy fairy tale aspect which evolved as I painted - mainly because of the unlikelihood of bare branches juxtaposed with a Hawaiian forest with ferns - the Gecko - common in Hawaii just appeared !! I was told by my client that the inclusion of the Gecko was a sign of good luck in Hawaii.

A Gecko appeared in the foreground !

My Client who lives in New York told me about an owl in Hawaii, called a Pueo - it's very hard to see at night and you rarely know that they are watching . According to legend - if they are seen looking at you it means that someone from another life is watching over you -
- She asked me to retain the Owl but obscure it even more !
So - spot the owl !!

Almost finished !

Time to sign the finished piece ! And pack for shipping !

I titled the painting
"Winter Descends as Two Hares Contemplate An Owl by Moonlight"
The completed painting is somewhat surreal which I like .
The Hares and the Owl remain and the Gecko hidden in the foreground for a flavour of Hawaii !