Ducks

This painting is too large to scan in its entirety. The first and last images below are digital photos. Please refer to the detailed scans for a more accurate representation of the hues and textures that make up this fabulous painting.

These ducks make me so happy! First, I would like to explain for my international customers that there is an American phrase, "Get your ducks in a row." It means to be organized and prepared. Apparently the phrase originated with an early version of the game of bowling. Folks rolled balls at pins that were called, "Ducks". Those pins had to be lined up for the game to begin.

Myself, I am more inclined to chaos than to organization. I like the IDEA of structure. I like the IDEA of being prepared. But I have great difficulty turning those ideas into actual practices. When I attempt to, I usually wind up more lost than I was before I tried organizing. I think that in many ways goal-setting is just a way to avoid life-living. And I am generally happiest accepting whatever life throws my way rather than working too hard to control my unruly ducks. That is how this painting came to be. It is a beautifully textured, richly colored expressionist painting hidden behind three very unique little ducks. And it includes the words, "My ducks are in a row (but they don't know where to go.)"

I only recently discovered a supplier that offers this unusual canvas size. It was a treat to find this long, long rectangle and I immediate saw these little ducks the first time I laid eyes on this canvas. It is uncommon for me to see an image before I have painted it, so I think there must be a strong message in here for me. Ducks is a compelling playful painting and I am hopeful that it will bring smiles and patience to your home or office.

How this piece was created..... There is a surprising amount of work that went into this seemingly simple image. Paint was applied with palette knives, a dry cloth, a wire brush, my hands, and traditional paint brushes. Paint was rubbed off and scratched through with a variety of tools also. The result is a rich, vivid, expressive field of color. Then I used tiny detail brushes and spent a LONG time painting these terrific little ducks. And finally I added the words and my signature and the date.

(The deep, staple-free sides of this canvas have been textured to match the painting and then rubbed with deep royal blue and several other shades. This is a digital photo. The scans above are more accurate.)

This piece was created on a beautiful "deep-dish" gallery wrapped canvas with deep 1.5" sides. It looks striking when displayed as it is, without framing. Either hang it directly on the wall or this piece will also stand on edge just fine, so you could display it that way on your bookshelf, end table or desk.