#2840 "Cooper's Glare"

#2840 "Cooper's Glare"
20 (height) X 16 (width) inches by 3/4 (plus) in depth (inches).
Started 11 am Thursday, February 1st, 2024.

The best way to not over-work a painting is to start another canvas. I was getting to that stage with #2839 "American Kestrel". There was some dabbing of unnecessary details going on. Time to step away from that easel at least for a while. 

My friend, John Verburg, a naturalist and terrific photographer had a wonderful image of a Cooper's hawk. That striking picture had been in my mind for several weeks. The hawk displayed an extreme attitude while nestled within the interlaced branches of an autumn oak. John encourages me to paint from his art and this one begged to be in oils. I display the photo on an old TV and go right to the brush. 

This bird also reminded me of #0554 "Sharp Stare!". That sharp-shinned hawk also had a lot of rapt demeanour in those eyes. The word "rapt" is very apt and defined as "completely fascinated by what one is seeing or hearing." A raptor is also defined as a bird of prey such as an eagle, hawk, falcon, or owl. The English language and the history of these words can be fascinating! 

I wanted to have a similar name for this painting, kindred of #0554. The word "glare" came immediately to mind: "stare in an angry or fierce way". The meaning of the word glare perfectly fits the intent displayed in the Cooper's Hawk's eyes. I had to get those orbs perfect.- without being fussy with the brush strokes.

#2840 "Cooper's Glare" about halfway to completion within the Singleton Sanctuary

The Cooper's is a medium-sized hawk of the woodlands. They really enjoy the Singleton Sanctuary. They feed mostly on birds and small mammals and hunt by stealth, approaching their prey through dense cover and then pouncing with a rapid, powerful flight. Of the three bird-eating accipiter hawks, Cooper's is the mid-sized species and the most widespread as a nesting bird south of Canada. 

I have constructed shelters for the smaller creatures to encourage their numbers within the Singleton Sanctuary. They are also vital inhabitants, but I am careful not to tell them that they are the base of the food chain. The raptors appreciate those efforts but so do the small creatures. Everyone is happy. 

As I painted, I was thinking of the birds of prey and the countless other species that call this portion of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere home. We are very fortunate to see all kinds of nature every day in the Singleton Sanctuary. 

For this and much more art, click on Pixels or go straight to the Collections. Here is the new Wet Paint 2024 Collection. 

Warmest regards and keep your paddle in the water,

Phil Chadwick