I can’t believe it’s been a year since the last art show. Every year I try to enter at least three pieces in the local art show if for no other reason than to keep me painting. The theme for this years Spring Show was “wetlands”...or whatever...ha!

I did one “whatever,” and two paintings I thought might have something to do with wetlands...frogs seemed the natural choice. Anyway, I busted up my hand building that new house last summer and it is still giving me a lot of grief; not that that is any excuse for a poor demonstration of my craft, but I had little choice except to change my style slightly out of necessity. Perhaps it will be a blessing in disguise!

The show is over and the chummiest I came to a first place was that the painting, “The Late Show” was hanging just below the winner...the funny part was that the ribbon was placed on the wall between the two paintings and it was difficult to determine which one it belonged too. I overheard a little boy ask his dad which painting was the winner...I didn’t stick around for the answer!

Art

“ Lionheart
~

Love the frogs! The Late Show is wonderful! Your busted up thumb obviously couldn't keep down your talent...

Thank you so much for sharing with the WD family. I really enjoy your artwork.

In honor of the frogs, I'll even sign off in green!

~~flutter~~

Lion, those are just wonderful! Oh, but you're good at that ... as with so many other things.

My personal favourite is the red-eyed beauty. It's such a fascinating picture, and the wetlands ambience so very real. I imagine I can hear all the surrounding sounds here.
I was wondering about the pinkish-gray shape in the background - is it a bridge, a pixie-house, or a toadstool?

Jane

Lion, I love frogs!!! They are so cute.... and you do a wonderful job of painting them. I especially liked the red-eyed beauty.
Wish that I could create such wonderful paintings but I have to do all my painting with words. I have no talent when it comes to the visual arts.


Babs

Fabulous work, guy. I especially love those red eyes. I wish I could do this kind (and level of quality) of work. Frogs are great, aren't they?

my favourite is Rosemary's house.
Kathleen

Flutter
Jane
Babs
Ron
Kat...

I thank each of you for taking the time to have a peek at my art. I appreciate all of the comments so much. I’m not sure why I focused on frogs this year...it just seemed like the right thing to do...ha!

Jane...I know it doesn’t show up very well on the site...but that red thing in question in the background of “Seeing Red” is actually a discarded pop can! The nerve of some people eh!

Kat...I’m glad you liked Rosemary’s House. I’ve written a small novel about the house and I’ll probably post it soon.

Ron...You are a man of many talents and I’ll bet you could do a fine job of painting if you put your mind to it. I value your comments my friend.

Babs...you say you have no talent when it comes to the visual arts...ah, but you sure paint a pretty picture with your words. Personally, I think it is harder to paint on the imagination than a canvas...you have mastered your art well.

Flutter...my dear friend...I love your green signature!

I know you like to sketch and draw on occasion; perhaps you’ll share some time when it suits you. As always, thanks for your unending support and friendship.

“ Lionheart
~

Kind of a silly question but...just what species of frog are those in the paintings?

Hi Ron...This puppy is called the Red Eyed Tree Frog; they are nocturnal and native to central and south America. There was something about those red eyes I had to paint...I was powerless...even hypnotized. By the time I finished I had the same red eyes!!!!!

The second painting (with the two frogs) are just the common green frogs you would find in any swamp in North America.

Thanks for your interest and the questions.

“ Lionheart
~

Lion, do you have any other paintings that are not posted on here??? If so I would like to see them.

Babs

Lion ~ My apologies for the late response. I have been absent for a few weeks. I liked Rosemary's House best though I would proudly hang any of the three in my house.

I still remember the one from last year of the young girl. You are blessed my friend, as are we to have you among us.

Ken

Hey Lionheart,

Made a camping (trailering) trip over to Vancouver Island last weekend and encountered a couple of small tree frogs that also had beautiful red eyes. I even learned of one that had taken up residence in the women's shower so as to have unrestricted access to the warm humid air in there. I guess if I was a tree frog I'd probably do the same thing (including hanging out in the woman's shower).

However upon encoutering these little forest/shower dwellers I couldn't help but think of your red eyed friend. I know that, living so far north, they can't possibly be the same species but...!

Babs...thanks for asking. I’m working on a website right now so I can post some of my paintings and perhaps give a short explanation. As soon as it is done I’ll let ya know.

Keny...I’m always blessed to get a response from you...late or not! Ya...that young girl was a bit of mystery. She just disappeared last summer...no word. I suppose she followed through with her threat to go to Toronto and stay with some friend there.

Ron...Jeeeeeesssss, shows you how much I know...I had no idea we had them in Canada.

So let’s see..., they’re nocturnal, native to western Canada, and they prefer the women’s shower. Heck, if I had known that I would have travelled west and set up my easel right there in the shower with all them women folk, and painted till my eyes turned red!

>> However upon encoutering these little forest/shower dwellers I couldn't help but think of your red eyed friend. I know that, living so far north, they can't possibly be the same species but...!<<

Did you happen to take any pictures...of the frogs that is? I doubt I could identify any women from out there...!!!

“ Lionheart
~

Lionheart,

Maybe, in light of what's happening to frogs throughout the world, I should take as many pictures as possible. Read this piece here for yet another update on the plight of our little amphibian neighbors.