The Gawky Teenager Phase

10/1/2015

A painting in its beginning stages can be a little awkward (I like to call it "the gawky teenager stage"). Some paintings mature and progress into something worth showing, and some don't. I have a recurring fear that someone will walk in on the beginning phases of a painting, take one look, and say "Oh.................... that's nice." On the other hand, being an artist is seeing the potential in something, even your own paintings. Here are four of my paintings that made it through their gawky teenager phase:

"Lovebird"

"Cedar Waxwing and Elderberries"

"Mourning Dove and Spicebush"

"Buffon's Macaw"

7 Comments

Jennifer link

10/21/2015 03:27:27 am

I just love seeing the progression of these pieces! I am so glad you documented that! Thank you for sharing! :)

Alex Warnick

10/21/2015 04:28:36 pm

Thanks Jennifer! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

Bryony Angell

11/10/2015 12:15:05 pm

I love seeing the progress of a painting! I grew up in a house of bird art (my dad is the wildlife artist Tony Angell, also the 2001 Master Artist honoree of the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum's "Birds in Art" show--if you dont know about this show you should enter it and go!). My dad is a sculptor so we saw the progression of stone work and wax castings. Dad did some illustration too, mostly on scratchboard. I am not a visual artist myself but LOVE seeing the artist's progress. Do you work from live birds or skins? Your paintings are exquisite!

Bryony Angell

11/10/2015 01:13:57 pm

Alex, my sister Gilia sent you messages already--we must be "twins" (in fact are, identical)! I couldnt resist the pun, and sorry for the repeat of information you will have gotten from me! Thank you for carrying the torch of art and nature into the next generation--our dad is disappointed none of us have, although we are all advocates and avid birders. It means to much to us to see this carried on, and especially by a female artist. Yay!

Alex Warnick

11/10/2015 04:32:08 pm

Hi Bryony! Your sister Gilia messaged me just yesterday, and it makes me double happy to receive a message from both of you! In fact I'm an identical twin myself! My sister is an artist as well and is my partner in all my birding adventures! I told Gilia that I've been familiar with your dad's work since I was a kid, having seen his beautiful sculptures in art catalogs throughout the years. It's wonderful that you and your sister share his love for art and birds. I've never heard of the Artists for Nature organization, but I'm interested in finding some of those books. Thanks for telling me about them! Entering the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Birds in Art Show is something I aspire to. What an honor for your dad to be the 2001 Master Wildlife Artist! A well-deserved recognition! It really is a thrill to hear from you! Thanks for contacting me! By the way, you and Gilia have such unique and pretty names!

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10/14/2019 09:12:23 am

Hello, Alex! All these paintings that you did were all great that's why I wouldn't be wondering if a lot of people will be interested to buy what you have to offer. Because everything that you painted were all great, I couldn't choose which among your paintings are the best. But I have to say that "Cedar Waxwing and Elderberries" is my favorite. "Mourning Dove and Spicebush" color and texture looks realistic too and close to my heart!

Allison Brooks link

12/28/2020 11:34:15 am

Nice bloog post

The Gawky Teenager Phase

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