Jamaica Mystery Bird

Exercise
16 x 20 Canvas Pad
This month I have committed myself to painting an exercise or study every day so practise is taking precedence over painting finished paintings. I remember a few years ago reading Craig Nelson's book 60 Minutes to Better Painting and thinking it was impossible. Now I think it is essential. I'm determined to keep at it and although it's only been a few weeks, I'm seeing improvements. For one thing, I am seeing a difference in how I approach the easel. I'm taking notes after each one about what I did right and what I need to focus on next time. I'm lucky to have some wonderful friends who give great critiques but I was wanting to develop that skill further myself.
If anyone is able to recognize this bird from my painting I'd love to know. He seemed to be such a character with his long neck(longer than I have it) and cocked head.

Teapot/Orange Exercise

On Wed. mornings I do a timed exercise with a group of painters. We were introduced to the idea by a Calgary painter named Doug Swinton http://www.dougswinton.com/ I love the spontaneity in his paintings. The point is to use a large brush and lots of paint on largish canvas with a 2 hour time limit. The more I do it, the happier it makes me. There is a lot of freedom working with large brushes and the large pools of paint. This one is the 6th one. I did this at home over the holiday and it seemed finished at this point (1hr20min)so I signed it.
Love that sunshine streaming through the window at -30 deg.