Daddy's Christmas Angel

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

N is for Night Owl - A Painting a Day

A to Z Challenge


"Night Owl" - acrylic painting ©Mary Montague Sikes
 For the A to Z Challenge, I chose to create a painting each day for the 26 letters of the alphabet. Today my subject is "N" is for Night Owl. I was surprised to learn that "Night Owl" stands for a person who likes to stay up late at night more than for an actual owl. My mother used to complain that I was a night owl.

Owls are unusual creatures in that they are able to rotate their heads and their necks up to 270 degrees. Quite a feat, and one I don't want to accomplish.

This is my smallest image yet--6" x 6" acrylic on stretched canvas. I don't usually like to work this small, but I want to use as much of what I have in the studio as I can. I did order six more 14" x 11" stretched canvases, so I'll have more larger paintings later.

15 comments:

Marian Allen said...

He looks fierce! Probably the orange that makes him look that way. Glad I'm not a mouse!

You are astounding, doing an entire painting in a day. You'll have an alphabet book when you're finished, you know. Start querying Little Pickle Press now! :)

Marian Allen
Fantasies, mysteries, comedies, recipes

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Marian, thanks for visiting. I love your enthusiasm. Never thought when I started that this project had other potentials!

Michael Di Gesu said...

He looks SO WISE .... Love the attitude!

Julie Flanders said...

I agree with Michael, I love the attitude in his expression!

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Michael, of course, he's a wise old owl!

Julie, attitude is important!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Colorful and wise!

Mary said...

You put an awful lot of detail in such a small area! Love it!

Amy Sikes said...

Love the owl!

Anonymous said...

You did that in one day? You got talent.


Sonia Lal

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Alex, thanks for visiting.

Life in a small town, devil's in the details :)

Thanks, Amy.

Thanks, Story. Small is easier and it's also harder!!!

Chuck said...

Just like in photography, catching the eye(s) is a major component of good work. The eyes in all your paintings have that hypnotizing quality and in these slightly abstract looking works, are really excellently depicted.

A nice piece, Monti.

Chuck at Apocalypse Now

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Chuck, thank you for your insightful and positive comments!

Ninjagaiden78 said...

This is great Maryann. I am going to share this.

www.mainlinepub.com

Maryannwrites said...

Love the owl. This is one of my favorite birds, and I just found out that they symbolize good luck in many Asian cultures.

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Ninjagaiden78, thanks for visiting!

Maryann, it's amazing how many people collect owls--pins, trinkets, and more! Thanks for the visit.