#2742 "Snowbirds"

#2742 "Snowbirds" 12x36 inches oils on canvas

A considerable number of winter hours were spent happily at the easel on this painting. Each of the snow buntings is a distinct individual and I wished to keep them that way. I often got confused about which bird I was working on at the time. There are forty-nine snowbirds in this painting with some wrapping around the edge. 

Some of the In Progress Images

This painting was inspired by a flock of snowbirds who came to enjoy Christmas Day 2022 at Singleton during some very severe winter weather. The busy little buntings were happy to forage for seeds under the red cedar where we also feed the turkeys and other birds during the coldest part of winter. I also referred to a photograph (with permission) taken by naturalist, photographer and friend, John Verburg. 

If you are into numerology, you will know that 49 is a powerful number referred to as the "Angel Number". It signifies change, new beginnings, inner strength, and growth. These goals all sounded good to me so I made certain that I included fifty minus one pairs of wings in this painting. If you are experiencing a time of upheaval, change in your life, or bad luck, the good news is it is likely that the number 49 is working its magic in your life in various ways for a higher purpose. I had to use PowerPoint to accurately count the birds so I would not make a mistake. To be honest, forty-nine is just another number to me much like a birthday. It is more important what you do with your days even though for sure, all of our days are certainly numbered. 

My ultimate goal with this and every fresh piece of canvas is to achieve a "Blowing in the Wind", "Four Strong Winds" or "If You Could Read My Mind" kind of achievement in brush strokes on canvas instead of in song. Ian Tyson and Gordon Lightfoot are inspirational Canadians who knocked a few strokes of genius out of the park. Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and other artists are quite terrific as well. The reward for the artist might only be the respect from peers who understand what it takes to launch a creation into a higher orbit. Respect is everything and often difficult to achieve. Sadly, Ian Tyson passed away while I was working on "Snowbirds". 

I started this painting on Friday, February 3rd, 2023 under sunny skies but outside, the temperatures were near minus 25 Celsius with significant winds after an authentic Arctic cold front. Wind Chill Warnings were in effect so I was in the Singleton Sanctuary Studio in front of the Pacific Energy wood stove and listening to tunes that included the music of the above artists as well as many others. There is a tremendous amount of oil on this canvas giving the surface an almost three-dimensional relief. Life is good. 

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Warmest regards and keep your paddle in the water,

Phil Chadwick