In the studio with artist, photographer and instructor Robert Louis Caldwell

Presenting “Breakaway ( Mallard duckling )” ..... “Breakaway ( Mallard duckling )” Oil, 16 x20 One of my favorite places to visit — for fun and inspiration — is Richmond’s historic Canal Walk . Last spring, my family and I spent a Sunday afternoon downtown, meandering along the 1.25-mile historic pathway and found ourselves sitting along the water’s edge at the Turning Basin where the canal cruises begin. As we waited for the next boat, we had the joy of watching several groups of geese with their goslings swim by, mixed with the occasional mallard duck and her ducklings. After about five minutes without seeing any more waterfowl, we started to get up. That’s when I noticed this one solitary little duckling. We watched it swim along the edge of the canal wall, exploring its surroundings and moving along at a leisurely pace as if it didn’t have a care in the world. As it disappeared around the bend, I thought to myself, “That little guy isn’t going to make it.” Then, all of a sud...

Work in progress... Richmond Canal Walk painting, Oil Here is the current piece on the easel, lacking a title I refer to it as the Richmond Canal walk painting. I have just finished painting the first layer of color and now I am waiting for the paint to dry (hopefully over the weekend). Then painting measures 18" x 8" and the reference for this piece comes from a visit to downtown Richmond, Virginia along the Canal walk. Below the image of the full painting are two detail shots of the mother goose with her goslings and then the other shot is a close up of the brave one trying to get away! This painting will be finished in time to take to the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition and/or NatureWorks in February.

Here are the two pieces that I have been working on for the last several days. Both are are "toned" and ready for color, not sure which one I will start first though. Grey cat bird painting Canal Walk painting

Work in Progress... I just finished up the "under drawing" stage of this one this morning, it is already sealed and I am waiting for the burnt sienna and odorless mineral spirits wash to dry a little so that I can go and pick out the highlights. I'll then add in the darks , let it dry and start adding some color. I am also toning the canvas of the Grey cat bird painting as well although I will more than likely move forward with the Canal painting first.