JOAN L. GARCIA
"HERMAN AND HARVEY"
30" x 40"
These Brown Pelicans, sat in the mangroves at Kings Bay in Miami, Florida, (since turned into condos). Though pelicans seem to be everywhere in Florida they are still considered an endangered species.  They almost  disappeared in every habit but Florida due to pesticide use. Now they continue to be threatend resulting from loss of nesting areas. 
copyright J.L. Garcia 2006
.acrylic on canvas
This elusive Yellow-crowned Night -Heron was hunting in the dunes early one morning on the north shore of Anna Maria Island, FL. More stocky than the normal heron, her has large golden eyes and long white occipital plumes. Mostly nocturnal we usually see them fly in to hunt the shore-line after dark.
"MORNING HUNT"
From the series: Birds of Anna Maria Island
9" X 12"
Oil on canvas
"PIER GULLS"
From the series: Birds of Anna Maria Island
These Laughing Gulls, in their winter plumage, are perched on the "old railing" of the Rod and Reel Pier, Anna Maria Island, FL. (The railing was since blown down in a storm.) Each with his own personality, they watch people fishing, hoping for a hand-out.
9" X 12"
Oil on canvas
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Sky completed and underpainting of foreground sand blocked in. Sketch of Night HeronPine trees added and softened for distance, Basic feather detail painted in and beginning of head and beak. Details of head and beak completed, Layers of feathers on neck refined and base of leg feathers added. Sections of pines darkened for contrast can distance. On location. Feather detail and shading added. Feather detail refined. Middle ground of the sand added.Sea oats added. Shadows enhanced. I'll wait for this layer to dry a bit to be able to add sharp highlights.
Click  any image above to open a viewing gallery of the painting in progress.
Under-painting blocked in using acrylics. Oil will be used to complete the painting. Refined the water to lead the viewer through the painting with the water color change and subtle wave action. Started working on the gulls. Using oil enables me to blend the feathers. Almost finished, need to refine gull #3. He's my favorite, in fact, I wanted to name the painting after him; "Just Looking at My Foot".
Click  an image to open a viewing gallery of the painting in progress.