Monday, February 9, 2009



The Marsh

Oil on board, 6" x 6"
$125 plus $6 shipping in U.S.
SOLD


Saturday was a gorgeous, sunny day. I spent the afternoon out at Ladd Marsh--protected wetlands covering hundreds of acres. Parts of the marsh probably look much like they did thousands of years ago, before settlers began draining swampy areas to claim farmland.

Ladd Marsh is a haven for wildlife, most noticeable of which are the birds. Hawks, scanning for field mice, drift in lock-winged circles high above. Large flocks of geese and ducks make raucous, splashy takeoffs and landings on open leads. Starlings wheel into bare treelimbs to sit and argue with one another. Pheasant and quail, reluctant to be exposed by flying, scramble through the dense, straw-colored grass ahead of me.

Here's a little video of the day:

11 comments:

Theresa Rankin said...

What a delightful day and a grand painting to top it off!

Leah Waichulis said...

What a nice painting and video. It looks so relaxing at that marsh. You must have had such a wonderful day.

Anonymous said...

Hi Don:

Joseph, (who is 8 now), and I just watched your video. What a great way to start a day with the peaceful sights and sounds of the marsh. Nice editing! Do you do it all in the camera or do you have a program you use.

All the best from your old soggy neighbors,
Mark & Joseph (yep - it's raining in Murrieta)

Don Gray said...

Hi Theresa and welcome! I really enjoy your work. Thanks for the encouragement. Yes, it was a grand day.

Don Gray said...

Leah, thanks a lot for the kind words and welcome to you. You're a terrific painter.

Don Gray said...

Hey Mark and Joseph,

Hi to our good neighbors--we miss you all!

Thanks--glad you enjoyed the video. Editing is done in Windows Move Maker, which is part of XP. Bit by bit I'm learning how to use it--great fun! I should get a real camcorder, I'm just using my Canon Powershot, but it does pretty good.

Hi to Maureen and Gabrielle!

Anonymous said...

The birds look like Goth fingernails at the ends of the bare tree branches.

I think you should paint the molting cattails towards the end of your wonderful video.

Cheryl Anderson said...

What a beautiful place, and how nice of you to share your video! I feel like I just got to take a short hike--very peaceful. I found your blog via daily painters, and I will check back. Your work is wonderful.

Don Gray said...

Hi Karen,

Thanks for your thoughts..."Goth fingernails"--only a real poet comes up with that.

I like those cattails too. Maybe I will paint them.

Don Gray said...

Thank you, Cheryl and welcome! You do lovely paintings.

Cheryl Anderson said...

Thanks, Don. I tagged you on my blog. I know you've probably played that game a million times and are busy, but I wanted to at least put up a link to your site. I love your work, and wanted to share it with others.