More YouTube Lessons

About 2 and a half weeks ago, I filmed some new lesson clips for YouTube. It's been a year since I posted the first segments ( Holy Cow, A YEAR??!! ), so I thought I'd better get some new ideas out there. My "production people" tell me that they are nearly finished with the tweaking and editing and the new lessons should be up and running this week-end.

The response has been tremendous since those first lessons went "on-air" and I've had feedback and requests for advice from literally all over the world. Australia, Morrocco, Spain, Italy, China, Russia, nearly any place you could imagine. ( not to mention the good 'ol USA , of course ) I guess I was naive when those were first posted as I had NO idea how far reaching they would be. The Internet truly puts you in touch with the whole world. One thing I've noticed ( but I knew it all along anyway ) is that Art, ( as well as music ) is the universal language. The global response through YouTube is evidence of that. I feel fortunate that I can be a part of that and I also feel a sense of satisfaction that I have had a positive impact on fellow artists in regions of this planet that I'll never see. Bill Alexander's vision was "teaching the world to paint" and I feel I am helping him accomplish that in my own small way.

For the new clips, log on to www.youtube.com/wilsonbickford

Bird Habitat Sign Commission

A short while back, I was asked to create a painting for a future "bird habitat" at The Nature Center, which is affiliated with Robert Moses State Park in Massena, N.Y.

The Center hosts many different programs and is a popular "field trip" destination for a great many area schools. They also provide residence for many animals, such as various birds, fish, ferrets, an iguana (named "Iggy" ) and a marvelous blue & gold macaw (named "Axel" ).

Many critters roam their grounds and geese, raccoons and deer are all common sights while visiting there.

This painting will be "scanned" and reproduced for a "sign" which will be permanently mounted at the beginning of the habitat trail. Since the management knows of my work and the fact that I do many bird paintings, I was their first choice for this request. ( The bonus is that they specifically asked for Black-Capped Chickadees, and they are just about my favorite bird to paint! )

I was honored to be asked and very happy to do it. The Nature Center is a great place which provides a lot of beneficial services, both for animals in need and for the public, so I had no hesitation whatsoever.

This painting is in Oils and I worked in several stages, letting the layers dry in-between. I also used gessoed masonite as a surface, since the texture of canvas would show noticeably upon reproduction and I wanted to be able to render the cleanest, finest detail possible.

Though it'll be quite some time before the sign is manufactured, I am anxiously waiting to see the end result!

My Latest Commission

This is a painting I've been working at off and on over the past few weeks. It was created using an old black & white photograph of the scene about 80 years ago. It depicts the client's mother ( around the age of 8 - 10 years old ) standing in front of her childhood home. Since the photo is obviously showing signs of deterioration, the client wanted to have it rendered before the ravages of time make that impossible.

Because the original was in B & W, we had no clue as to the actual colors of the subject's clothing nor the trim on the house. The client requested the colors that were ultimately used.

Because of the amount of detail, I chose to work in Acrylics for this.

My Workshops at Norman Rockwell's Studio

Last week-end ( April 3rd - 5th ) Glenda and I were in Arlington, Vermont at the Inn on Covered Bridge Green, which is the former home of Norman Rockwell. A few months back, I had received an offer from the current owner to hold some classes there. The house is now a great Bed & Breakfast and Norman's old studio is still standing and in fine shape. It was an absolute honor to be wielding my brushes in the same confines as someone of his fame and renown. It was rather exciting to realize that we were working in the spot where he created many of his most famous works, including his Saturday Evening Post magazine covers. Everyone had a fantastic time. Check it out at http://www.coveredbridgegreen.com/

We even had the opportunity to meet and chat with some long-time Arlington residents, who as children, actually posed for some of his paintings. That was incredible!!

I have been asked to return in the future for another round of workshops, so we'll just need to set dates and make preparations.

On a different note, my book was indeed on schedule and was released on April 9th. I have had many inquiries regarding where to purchase it, so I am including the link to amazon.com once again. http://www.amazon.com/Wildlife-Landscapes-You-Can-Paint/dp/1600611206/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226536411&sr=1-1

It will also be available at major bookstore retailers ( Borders Books, Barnes & Noble, etc. ) as well as my website.

Also, I just filmed more painting video clips for YouTube this past week, so they should be all edited and posted within the next week, or so. www.youtube.com/wilsonbickford

The Release of my Book

I had a class today ( 10am - 2pm ), so I returned back home much later this afternoon. I was very pleased to find a package at my door containing two copies of my upcoming book, "WILDLIFE LANDSCAPES YOU CAN PAINT" ( Acrylic medium ).

Although I knew I'd receive advance copies, I didn't know exactly when. It is scheduled for world-wide release on or around April 9th.

It has been nearly two years ( 23 months to be exact ) from the time I first received the offer until this point. It took a lot of work, thought and effort ( as well as anxiety and worry ) but at this moment, it was all well worth it. At times, it seemed it would never get here!

Although I have seen the text and photos during the "author reviews", it is quite different ( and much more exciting ) to see it in it's finished form.

I have been very fortunate to gain this opportunity. It was dumb luck and chance that NorthLight Books ( F + W Publishing ) even stumbled across my website in the first place. For that, and to them, I am deeply grateful, indeed.

Soon, I will be posting details on my site regarding the purchase of the book. It will be available on my site, at my classes and at major bookstore retailers world-wide. Currently it can also be ordered at amazon.com as a "pre-order" at a substantial savings over the bookstore price. It is also available at several other on-line book sources.

To see the details, click on this link: http://www.amazon.com/Wildlife-Landscapes-You-Can-Paint/dp/1600611206/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226536411&sr=1-1

Sunflowers in Watercolor

I have a friend who has been extremely helpful in getting my classes rolling in her area. She has gone "way beyond the call of duty" in this matter and I have tried to pay her back several times and in many different ways for her complete devotion. However, she will hear nothing of the sort and stresses that it is "her pleasure" to help out.

Since I know she loves flowers and is an avid gardener, I have decided to give her this Sunflower painting as a token of appreciation for all she has done. ( and still continues to do )

I have been considering it for quite some time and I awoke this morning with this thought in mind, so I started on it right after breakfast. I have yet to mat and frame it, but will mail it out to her once having done so.

While she has taken many of my Oil classes ( and some of my Watercolor sessions ), I know that her true preference is Watercolor, which dictated the particular use of this medium for this gift.

By the way, for you painters out there,............... this was done on MultiMedia Artboard. If you have never used it, check it out. It is absolutely fantastic stuff. It will take any media, wet or dry. EVERYTHING!! You may not have noticed, but the Sunflower painting started out with some Pen & Ink work, then W/C washes over the top.

The manufacturers of this fine product sent me some samples ( upon my request ) quite some time ago and I have used it for several different projects in every medium. ( including a book cover design in Oils that was recently commissioned by a local authoress )

It is the thickness of heavy paper, but more rigid. It will break if bent too extremely. ( remember it is a "board", not a paper ) But, it is like nothing you have ever used. I love it! It is also available in Black. Check it out at http://www.multimediaartboard.com/

Recent Still Life

I've been very busy as of late, on a lot of different matters, both art-related and not. Therefore, I haven't had an entry here in a couple of weeks.

This is a Still Life ( in Oils ) that I have been working on for a while now, tweaking, glazing and adjusting. It's one I did for my daughter's kitchen, matching some of her decor colors.

She and her husband just purchased their first home last May and did some re-modeling throughout. She mentioned that she needed a painting to complete the kitchen area ( a hint for ol' Dad ), so this is what I came up with. It was done with a "grisaille" underpainting ( in shades of gray ) then glazed with color. Similar to an old Master's approach.

This is a technique that I love to employ when I want a more realistic end result.