I Wish These Were Mine
This bird is ALOFT!!May I have your attention? Please look, just look at these paintings. My dear friend Mike DiGiorgio is painting some of the most beautiful bird portraits since Louis Fuertes. I absolutely cannot get over his handling of shadow on this swallow-tailed kite's white underwing and belly. If Mike can be said to have a mentor, it was the great Don Eckelberry. He made many pilgrimages to Babylon (Long Island) to hear what Don had to say about art, bird painting, and the wide world around us. I went with him once, too, and I'll never forget that night, Don's raspy voice and great booming laugh, Ginny's gentle counterpoint; the amazing original art on every wall and cranny in their beautiful carriage house/residence. How I wish Don Eckelberry could comment on these two works.
Can you tell how much Mike loves kestrels? This is a celebration of North America's most ornate bird. He's rolling around in its beauty. Mike's a soul man, a delightful and loyal friend, and such a wondrous painter. He is perfectly at home with watercolors. I'm going to try his favorite paper: Fabriano Artistico Extra White 300 lb. soft press. Wonder if it will make me paint like him? Worth a try, anyway.
Thank you, Mikey, for decorating my blog. It's not every day an artist is commissioned to paint North America's most beautiful birds--but I can't think of anyone better for a dream job like that.
posted by Julie Zickefoose @ 10:34 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
Indeed you may have my attention ... in fact you have had it as of late. I'm a classmate of yours from old HU and though you may not remember me, when I heard you on NPR recently, I thought, Oh fer heaven's sake. And resolved to send you a message to let you know I liked the piece. And didn't send the message. Today I was listening to your podcast on NPR Story of the Day! About blogs of all things. OK, it's just too easy, I had no excuse not to reach out ... PLUS I've been meaning to start my own blog. No, I mean it! Anyway ... good work, my dear, and actually I have been aware of your good work for years. Hats off. - Bob
I have used the Fabriano Soft Press 300#. If you use it just once you will be spoiled FOREVER never to use anything else. Prepare yourself.
Wow. Thank you so much for sharing such spectacular art. Yes, Mike does revel in the colors of that Kestrel. Fantastic.
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