Colleen K Carrigan

ACEO Barn Owl Dawn Watercolor Painting

2011-09-26T14:46:00.000-07:00

"Dawn Gaze"

Continuing my series of owl paintings; this week I added the lovely morning light to a barn owl art card. These birds are truly fun to capture in watercolor.

Dawn Gaze 2.5"x3.5" watercolor and ink

SOLD

ACEO Barn Owl "Evening Watch"

2011-09-14T10:55:00.000-07:00

"Evening Watch"

Barn Owls make wonderful subjects to photograph, sketch and paint. What beautiful birds these ghostly faced owls are. I have thoroughly enjoyed painting several and have many more ideas in mind. Here is my newest owl painting:

SOLD

ACEO Barn Owl Original Watercolor Painting

2011-08-29T14:08:00.000-07:00

Miniature Painting of a Barn Owl

This summer I have enjoyed painting owls and this is my most recent bird ACEO (Art Card Edition and Original). Barn owls make beautiful subjects. The white face and ochre, burnt sienna and bluish black speckles of the head and wings, make these very recognizable birds of prey. Watercolor and archival ink were used to create this art card.

2.5" x 3.5"
SOLD

Tiger Shark ACEO Miniature Watercolor Painting

2011-08-22T18:17:00.000-07:00

Tiger Shark "Portrait of a Predator"

Well, it's been a busy spring/summer here on Puget Sound. My daughter, Kathryn, is heading off to college to study biology in a few weeks. With a love of nature and passion for animals and art, she will do very well in her future careers.

Sharks, of course, are a focus subject of mine. My passion for these creatures began in the summer of 1975 after I saw the movie, Jaws and was consumed with a hunger to know more about these ocean predators. I spent 12 years working as a biologist in the aquarium field and now enjoy painting these beautiful cartilaginous fish.

Here is a tiger shark cruising the shallows with its shadow gliding below over the sea floor. Thank you, my dearest friend, Jim McKay ~ for helping me name this painting. Here is a wonderful quote by shark photographer/filmer:

‘Oh Oh, here comes trouble - with attitude’. The Tiger doesn’t think like the Great White or the Mako does, but rather acts totally by instinct and reflex – not a good combination for the object of their attention. In fact, this is one species that I would never take my eyes off for one second. They are cunning, sneaky and very cautious. Also, they will consume just about anything that will fit in their mouths. The tiger shark is a good species to keep at a distance. (c) Jim McKay

Tiger Shark Painting for SALE

Wildlife Nature Art Signs on Puget Sound

2011-03-08T14:00:00.000-08:00

Signs of Nature

This has been a fun project. I just finished four more signs for my dear friends that live in a beautiful location on Puget Sound. Over the past 6 years, I have completed a number of these nature signs for their property including an ecosystem for each of their grandchildren. What a great idea for the 'grandparents who have everything'!

Each sign is cedar which I sand, brush with gesso, then paint the lettering, flora & fauna and lastly varnish. My friends use eye hooks and chain to connect the signs outside under the porch near their door for everyone to view. They have lasted 6 years (the first ones) and still look crisp and colorful.

Fun Project! These signs include: cormorants, black bear, raccoon and an orca. All of these animals can be viewed around Puget Sound. We have had a black bear in our compost. Last year one just walked down the dirt road in front of our house. Biggest 'dog' I've ever seen!

ACEO Orca Whales Puget Sound Watercolor Painting

2011-02-21T11:51:00.000-08:00

"Orcas in the Wild"

The past week I have enjoyed painting one of my favorite subjects: Orca whales. These striking marine mammals are residents of Puget Sound, Washington. On each occasion that my family and I have visited the San Juan Islands, we have seen orca pods swimming free and feeding on salmon. Many wild orca feed on marine mammals - but the pods in Puget Sound and the Straits of Juan de Fuca have been feeding primarily on salmon for generations. It is always a delight to see these majestic mammals 'wild and free'.

Orca Whale "Ocean Freedom" ACEO watercolor and ink

Orca Whale "Majesty Surfacing" ACEO watercolor and ink
SOLD

Visit my Website: Coral2cove

Visit my Daughter's Blog (Kathryn L Bronstad)

Dedicated to Queensland, AU "Great White Shark and Spirit" ACEO

2011-02-03T12:16:00.000-08:00

"The Spirit of Power and Beauty"

(Detail of Painting) SOLD

To my 'family' in Oz, may you be safe and experience brighter days - very soon! ♥♥♥

Queenslanders are Ace! - Fair Dinkum!!

UPDATE Feb. 21: Thank goodness, my Family in Oz is Safe and they are continuing to clean-up around the property. Great news that Cairns and surrounding towns are picking up the garden floral debris/waste curbside so individuals don't have to cart all the palm fronds and tree branches away themselves. Also, wonderful news that Mrs. Willy Wagtail and her babies survived Cyclone Yasi and visited the garden for their worms after the storm.

The past weeks have brought great challenges from 'Mother Nature' worldwide. It seems half the US is covered in snow and ice and there are countless floods across the globe. I have a special place in my heart for Queensland, Australia - it's my second 'home'. I have made four wonderful journeys there since 1996 and the spirit of the people never ceases to amaze me. With meticulous precision, my dearest friends of 30 years, began preparing for a massive hurricane headed directly for northern Queensland where they live near Cairns. Floods have been flowing for weeks in Queensland south of Cairns and this monster storm looked as if it would engulf Queensland!

Cyclone (hurricane) Yasi reached category 5 (Katrina) yesterday before hitting the eastern coast. Today, the destruction is being assessed amid pouring rains and additional flooding. Aussies are celebrating the fact that three new babies arrived in Queensland during Yasi! Far Northern Queenslanders are experts at preparing for cyclones - we can learn from the preparation and positive spirit and attitudes of our Aussie brothers and sisters.

I am continuing my series of "Mother Earth" miniatures (I sold three last week, and I shall blog photos of them soon). I painted "The Spirit of Power and Beauty" during Cyclone Yasi, in dedication to the Spirit and Attitude of Queenslanders. A lifelong passion for sharks has consumed me and I love the grace and beauty of the human figure. My dearest friends, Jim and Susan and I have been communicating about nature, sharks, ecosystems, global challenges, and the love of kitty cats for over 30 years across the 'big pond' known by its other name: the Pacific Ocean. Coral2Cove (My eBay name, website and studio gallery) comes from my love for the Coral Sea and a quaint little place on Puget Sound, Pirate's Cove.

Although, I have not heard from Jim and Susan yet, I feel certain that they are (hopefully sleeping as I type this) fine and will be cleaning up around the property from all the blow down of palm fronds, banana plants and tree limbs. Oh, I hope the little wild bird, 'Mrs. Willy wagtail' that visits the garden for her worms each day - made it through the storm. She has been raising and feeding her chicks grubs for years provided by her human family.

From the sale of this ACEO, I shall be making a donation to the relief fund for Queensland. Last month I donated to: http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html

This art card is priced at $1.00 to encourage bidding - I shall make a minimum donation to Queensland of $20 and more if the card sells for more.

The Power of Mother Nature - the Beauty and Spirit of Queensland, Australia

Great White Shark and Spirit "The Spirit of Power and Beauty" SOLD

FOR SALE starting at $1.00

2.5" x 3.5" watercolor and ink

Coral2Cove Studio Gallery

ACEO Christmas Dalmatian

2010-12-04T21:06:00.000-08:00

"Christmas Surprise"

What a fun time I had painting this dalmatian puppy in a Christmas stocking. It's a festive time and puppies have such wonderful energy. Our neighbors have a corgi puppy, 'Oliver' that visits us and he is such a delight. I hope to paint a picture of Oliver soon too.

Enjoy, this holiday season and don't forget to share gifts with your animal family members.

"Christmas Surprise"

Dalmatian Puppy for SALE

ACEO Sea Turtles and Coral Reef

2010-11-23T16:12:00.000-08:00

"Spirit of Travel"

What a wild week! Two power outages, living out in the forest on a bay at sea level becomes 'wild' when it snows and the winds pick up. Two 80+ foot Douglas fir trees came crashing down last night in the forest near our house. It was exciting. Power was out but my family was watching Happy Feet on my daughter's laptop by the roaring wood stove and candle light. Today the power was restored, so I'm working away to list a few items in our gallery.

My love of turtles has been with me since childhood. I grew up in west Texas and after a spring rain - box turtles could be found walking out on the roads. My siblings and I rescued numerous turtles and we kept a few in our yard where they fed on cicadas, June bugs and prickly pear fruit. I worked with Kemp's Ridley sea turtles in Dallas during the mid 80's.

Here is my newest painting celebrating 'sharing and traveling'. Sea turtles travel the world's oceans and the females return to the beach where they were born to lay their eggs. This ACEO has some silver and blue sparkling ink added (a touch of magic).

SOLD

ACEO Orca Whale Breaching

2010-11-12T14:34:00.000-08:00

Orca Whale "Breaching Majesty"

Hello Artists, Friends and Family : )

It has been a month since I last updated my blog - shame on me.

Here is a fun Art Card painted in watercolor and archival inks of one of my favorite marine mammals. "Breaching Majesty" was a wonderful miniature to create of our Pacific Northwest region complete with an orca and beautiful mountains on the horizon - all viewed from Puget Sound. I never tire of painting, viewing, or learning about orca whales. They truly possess strength, power, intelligence and a nurturing nature for their young. Several pods have lived in Puget Sound for eons and they feed primarily on the resident salmon. It is always exciting to view them. So enjoy this ACEO and may the power of the orca be with you!

Breaching Majesty 2.5" x 3.5" Watercolor and ink

SOLD

ACEO Halloween Black Cat, Moon Magic, Bats and Owl

2010-10-05T14:26:00.000-07:00

MOON MAGIC

What a fun time I had creating this ACEO! And the best part was that my kitty, Kraven (alias: The Bad Boy) was the model. It was great composing some of my favorite October subjects into one mini painting. We hear owls often in the woods near our house and bats live in the open garage (the house was built in the late 1800's). The painting is complete with a full moon in a deep blue violet sky.

Enjoy Moon Magic this October.

SOLD

Kraven enjoying a sunny location - he loves to smell flowers!

ACEO Crow Raven Watercolor Painting

2010-09-28T14:23:00.000-07:00

CROW "Visiting Pumpkin Patch"

What a fun weekend my family and I had. The Art Chix, a lovely group of enthusiastic and talented ladies from Seattle, visited several studios in our neighborhood including ours. Roseanne Olson took some wonderful photos for the occasion. Roseanne's Photos

We sipped apple cider and enjoyed pumpkin spice muffins at our studio/gallery. Then Saturday evening, we all met down the beach for Paella and wine, ginger icecream, laughs and fun! Paella is a wonderful rice dish that was cooked with clams from the beach and tomatoes from the garden all in a huge pan on an open fire. Here are some recipes: http://www.spain-recipes.com/paellarecipes.html

Galleries Visited:

www.coral2cove.com (my daughter's and my gallery)

www.chrisbronstad.com (my husband and Kathryn's father, superb portrait landscape artist)

http://www.tiptoland.com/ (Sculptor and Amazing woman)

http://www.kurtsolmssen.com/ (Contemporary realist painter and wonderful paella chef)

http://rebeccaschofield.com/ (Wonderful realist painter, fabulous hostess - Kurt's wife)

During the visit, I worked on a painting for the season - perfect for a fall, pumpkin spicy day:

CROW for SALE

(20% of the Sale benefits A Place to Bark)

Rosanne Olson's Gallery

ACEO Blacktip Reef Shark Watercolor Painting

2010-09-22T12:03:00.000-07:00

"Gliding in the Shallows"

What lovely creatures these swift, nicely marked sharks are. The stark black against the burnt sienna/yellow ochre is pleasing to view in sinewy gliding motion. I have a passion for these small sharks and worked with them in the aquarium field for over a decade. They are quick to respond when food is near and they feed on squid, fish, shrimp, crabs and other reef creatures. Shallow water and the hint of a shadow give the feeling of a sunny, warm, tropical, soft sandy beach nearby. Time for a siesta...

SOLD

Visit Coral2cove Shark Gallery

(Learn more about sharks and view paintings. Contact me if intereted in any signed prints of shark art.)

ACEO Mako Shark Watercolor Painting

2010-09-14T16:54:00.000-07:00

"Stunning and Supreme"

Another shark painting to add to my gallery. This image shows the power of these beautiful predators. My dearest friend, who lives in Queensland Australia, has spent many hours in open water photographing, filming, and diving with pelagic predators. He writes:

"MAKO" is Polynesian for shark

"Long, sleek and deadly, the Mako always appears to me to be set on a hair trigger ready to burst into action in less than a heartbeat. You never ever take your eyes off the Mako, not even for a moment. Like most wild creatures, the shark is an opportunist. The Mako is more so the epitome of opportunism." Jim McKay © 2008

"Stunning and Supreme" Mako Shark

SOLD

Original Watercolor Painting Sandtiger Shark 4" x 6"

2010-09-11T12:35:00.000-07:00

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Sandtiger Shark"

A lifelong love of sharks led me to create this 4" x 6" watercolor. After receiving my BS in Biology, I worked in the aquarium field for over a decade and spent a lot of time with captive tropical species. Several research projects were designed and conducted using sharks as the subjects. One study involved the operant conditioning of a female sandtiger fondly named “Mama”. She was taught to touch a target and have a buzzer sounded then receive a food reward. She did very well on her trials with 88% success. She was truly a beautiful shark and taught her care takers well - this painting is dedicated in her memory - 'Swim free beautiful lady'.

Glittering ink sparkles on this painting resembling the light reflection off the dermal denticles (scales) of the shark.

Sandtiger Shark

SOLD

ACEO Seahorse Marine Tropical Painting

2010-09-08T19:28:00.000-07:00

Seahorse Daddy and Baby

What a fun painting this colorful art card was to create. I love all the hues in the seahorses and the corals. The tiny baby seahorses emerge from the male's pouch and they are little clones of the parents. What beautiful creatures they are.

"Magical Moment"

2.5" x 3.5"

ACEO for Sale

ACEO Hammerhead Shark Painting

2010-09-02T20:02:00.000-07:00

Hammerhead Shark

Painting this shark was a fun process. I thoroughly enjoy the design of these creatures. In fact, evolutionarily speaking, hammerheads are more recent in nature that many of the other sharks species. The flattened head and eyes protruding from the large 'hammer' give this species an advantage. Hammerheads use their extra sensitive snouts to help locate prey and the hammer shape allows them to have more surface area for detection purposes.

This shark is swimming through the sea on the prowl for potential prey.

Hammerhead Shark "On the Prowl"

Sold

ACEO Moon Sea Turtle and Shark Paintings

2010-08-24T14:19:00.000-07:00

Moonlight ACEO's

This week I am working on 'marine moonlight miniatures' - how's that for an alliteration!

Here is a blacktip reef shark gliding in the moonlight. The distinctive markings on this species make it a wonderfully artistic subject.

Blacktip Reef Shark "Moonlight Glide"

Sold

Here is an ACEO of a sea turtle swimming in the magic of the moonlight. This was a fun miniature to paint and I enjoyed creating the effect of the moonlight through the water.

Sea Turtle "Moonlight Magic"

ACEO Raccoon Painting by Kathryn

2010-07-31T19:25:00.000-07:00

Raccoons "Afternoon Cuddle" by my daughter

This weekend my daughter, Kathryn, is painting some lovely art cards. Here is one she completed of a family of raccoons. The mother is on the far left, curled around and the three babies are cuddling up to her.

Raccoons are a favorite subject of ours and we have a resident raccoon that visits the garden often.

Raccoons "Afternoon Cuddle" by Kathryn L Bronstad

SOLD

View previous post with raccoon

ACEO Sea Turtle and Tangs

2010-07-24T11:18:00.000-07:00

"Cleaning Time"

Here is an ACEO of a sea turtle and yellow tangs. I love these wonderful marine reptiles and enjoyed working with Kemp's Ridley sea turtles in the mid 1980's. The yellow tangs are cleaning the turtle of algae growth that accumulates because of the slow movements of the turtle. The color of the tangs contrasts nicely with the deeper violets that I used to under paint the darker areas of the turtle. I also enjoyed painting the eyes of all the creatures - it really brings the focus to the eye of the turtle which holds much wisdom. In this time of 'cleaning up the BP oil spill', turtles are a focus for many biologists and volunteers. This painting is dedicated to the continuing efforts of those helping the turtles, other wildlife and the environment.

SOLD

View related Post

Sea Turtle and Tropical Fish

2010-07-08T16:14:00.000-07:00

Sea Turtle "Entering Cleaning Station"

This week I have had a lot of fun researching sea turtles (one of my favorite marine creatures) and viewing numerous images of tropical fish to create a miniature painting. A little larger than my ACEO's - this painting is a 5.0" x 7.0". What a joy it was to design and paint. Sea turtles will seek out reefs where they enjoy a thorough 'cleaning' by the locals. The tropical fish and sometimes shrimp and crabs will consume the algae that grows on the turtles. Cleaning stations are a wonderful example of a symbiotic relationship where all the creatures benefit. The tropicals in this painting include: yellow tangs, a blue tang and raccoon butterfly fish.

Sea Turtle "Entering Cleaning Station" 5.0 inches x 7.0 inches

ACEO Raccoon and Goldfish

2010-07-03T13:03:00.000-07:00

FISHING BANDIT

Here is a very special painting created from my garden. This adorable raccoon has enjoyed a few meals of sunflowers recently at the feeder. I also included a goldfish like one that we have in a container pond near this area. Don't worry - I don't keep goldfish in the birdbath.

This is a small garden at the north side of our home and the kitchen window faces it. I enjoy washing dishes by hand while viewing the wildlife. I took photos of this 'rascal' feeding at about 10:00 a.m. one morning recently and have included a couple of them.

No animals were harmed in the making of this painting. The fish ate this morning and it is still just as gold and beautiful as in the painting.

SOLD

Raccoon washing and drinking at the birdbath

Raccoon feeding on black oil sunflower seeds

This is a wonderful design for a bird feeder and can be built from natural logs. It allows numerous birds, squirrels and even this big raccoon to enjoy lots of seeds in this garden sanctuary.

Baby Sea Turtle "Into the Sea"

2010-06-06T09:26:00.000-07:00

"Into the Sea"

Finally, the baby sea turtle has made it past the the sand and entered it's new world! This journey has taken over a year in watercolor, but I have enjoyed each new painting beginning from a hatching to now - swimming near the shore. I wonder what adventures await our little friend in the months to come...

Sold

Visit previous Post "Seaward Bound"

Great Hammerhead Shark

2010-05-14T11:53:00.000-07:00

Great Hammerhead 2.5" x 3.5" watercolor and ink Sold

This is a special painting of a beautiful marine creature. I have enjoyed an interest in sharks for 35 years. Working with tropical species in a large aquarium setting for over a decade was a joy. Now, I thoroughly enjoy painting these magnificient animals. This painting is best described by my dearest friend, marine photographer, Jim McKay.

“She magically slips into your view – no fuss or threatening gestures. She is just there, watching, ever alert and ready to react to the slightest provocation. She is the Great Hammerhead, denizen of the open sea and predator supreme.”
Jim McKay (c) 2010

Sea lion and Sea Otters

2010-04-09T07:18:00.000-07:00

More Marine Mammals!

"Bubbles at Play"

This week, I have enjoyed painting more marine mammals. "Bubbles" is a sweet sea lion that I have featured in several paintings over the past two years. She is a young, fun loving, wild pinniped (suborder of carnivorous aquatic mammals that includes: seals, sea lions and walruses) and she loves to blow bubbles and play with them.

SOLD

Sea Otters (Mother and Pup) "Sweet Moment"

Sea Otters have always been a favorite subject of mine to view and paint. These amazingly agile mustelids (heaviest members of the family including: weasels, river otters and minks) are so engaging. We have river otters on the bay near our home and their loud squeaks and whistles can be heard for quite a distance. In this painting, I am showing a sweet moment between mother and pup.

SOLD

Manatee Mother and Calf

2010-03-04T21:53:00.000-08:00

"Grazing Joy"

This week, I enjoyed painting another manatee minaiture. These lovely creatures have captured my heart and I hope to someday share a moment with them in their habitat. The colors I chose for this art card include: marine blues and greens with a fair concentration of violet for the shadows.

Grazing Joy original watercolor and ink 2.5"x 3.5" SOLD

Manatee Mother and Baby

2010-01-28T14:17:00.000-08:00

"Sweet Moment"

Manatees are such sweet aquatic/marine mammals. I thoroughly enjoyed researching them and watching several videos on Youtube showing individuals and families in man-made habitats and in the wild. These curious, very slow moving, vegetarians are in need of more protection from boaters and from garbage that pollutes their natural ecosystem.

This was a fun painting to create - the mothers and calves have a special bond. I hope to learn more about these wonderful mammals.

Manatee Mother and Baby "Sweet Moment" SOLD

Sea Turtle Hatchling "Seaward Bound"

2010-01-06T08:18:00.000-08:00

2010!

"Sand Flying" SOLD

Sea turtle hatchling previous post

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

It's wonderful celebrating the beginning of 2010 with a baby sea turtle painting. I love painting these 'tiny wonders'. In this painting, the little one is heading seaward. Many moons ago, I had the pleasure of working with one of the most endangered of these beautiful creatures - Kemp's Ridley sea turtle from the Gulf of Mexico. What an experience it was to care for several very healthy active individuals. They grew so quickly and thoroughly enjoyed their meals of fish, squid and scallops. At feeding time - it was literally a splashing fest! The care taker was always soaked - I gave up on the apron idea very early on as it did not do much to keep my face, neck and shoes dry anyway.

Enjoy the journey and have a wonderful 2010!

"Seaward Bound" SOLD

Visit Coral2Cove Gallery

Douglas Squirrel ACEO Watercolor and Ink

2009-11-16T14:00:00.000-08:00

"Sweet Douglas Squirrel"

It is a dark, gray, cold, soaking day in the Pacific Northwest. So what better way for an artist to spend it than painting something fun, bright and cheerful.

Here is a watercolor and ink painting of one of our local Douglas Squirrels. These are the most active forest creatures I know. They just can't sit still for any length of time. These adorable bright rust and ochre colored, small squirrels literally zip about in the trees, dashing here and there so fast - it's a challenge to keep your eye trained on one. We have a few that visit our feeders and they are quite brave and will challenge the larger introduced species, gray squirrels - even though the little Douglas is half the size. Also, one individual in particular will alert me when I'm in the kitchen or the garden - to the fact that the feeder is out of seed. He stands on his favorite oak branch and just chatters and chatters at me until I add sunflower seeds to the feeder. This time of year they also enjoy the winter berries. I just love these little squirrels!

The bright colors and large expressive eye really make Douglas Squirrels fun art subjects. Also, with the green background and red berry - I must be thinking of the holidays. Enjoy!

"Sweet Douglas Squirrel"

2.5" x 3.5" Watercolor and ink by Colleen K Carrigan

SOLD

Coral2Cove Website

Fun Designing Christmas Ornaments!

2009-11-04T20:50:00.000-08:00

Christmas Dream'n

This has been a fun week. I am designing a few porcelain ornaments that will feature my daughter's and my art for the holidays. These make wonderful Christmas gifts. I have a collection of different subjects to choose from - my art focuses on wildlife. Visit my Website, browse and Please feel free to leave comments and suggestions here on what subjects would work well for ornaments.

This is a design that I enjoy - a mother and kit red fox. The ornaments come with a red ribbon to hang them on your festive tree! Visit my Gift Shop to see more ornaments and magnets.

Halloween 'Tweet' - Raven Magic!

2009-10-28T10:38:00.000-07:00

Raven "Moon Magic" by Colleen K Carrigan

Happy Halloween Everyone!

This was a fun way to send out a couple of Magical Ravens. Thanks for the Comments!!!

Here is a fun treat. The first two people who leave a comment on this post will receive a free Art Card (2.5" x 3.5") print of my "Moon Magic" Raven painting. This is a great way to add to your collection of ACEO's!

Be sure to email me your snail mail address so I can have these prints winging their way home. My Email: c2cpacificart@yahoo.com

Raven...

Black as Pitch

Mystical as the moon,

Speak to me of magic,

I will fly with you soon.

Christmas Mouse Art Card

2009-10-27T13:14:00.000-07:00

"Golden Mouse and Holly"

The cool crisp days, wood smoke scents and leaf littered garden are signs that winter is not far away. Over the past few weeks, I thoroughly enjoyed painting two sweet rat pups. Rodents have been part of our 'family zoo' during the years Kathryn has grown up. Presently we don't have any rodent pets but we do enjoy the antics of the squirrels and chipmunks in the garden.

My most recent ACEO is of a sweet little golden mouse investigating a bit of holly. The holly has an artistic design that gives the painting some movement and softens the thorns on the leaves. (I love swirls and spirals.) This art card is in memory of our first pet mouse - "Apple". He was a beautiful golden color and his name just seemed to fit him perfectly. He became rather round as he aged!

"Golden Mouse and Holly"

Golden Mouse for Sale

Baby Rat in Autumn Colors

2009-10-22T12:22:00.000-07:00

"Sweet Pea in Autumn"

This week I enjoyed painting another baby rat. Over the years our family has raised several wee fuzzy rats to adulthood and they have been wonderful pets. This painting is dedicated to "Ralph" our first little rat pup. When Kathryn was 7, her little pet 'Apple', a lovely golden colored mouse, passed on. I went to the pet shop to purchase another mouse, but at the time they did not have any tame ones. But they did have a clutch of hand raised rat pups. I had never owned a rat and wasn't too sure. But when this sweet Chinese blue hooded pup was put into my hand - I had to take a closer look. He reached up with his tiny paws and took my pinkie and began 'nursing'. That was it - and I think I said something like, "Do you have a box?"

Kathryn loved Ralph as we all did. He would follow her everywhere outside and squeak if she got more than a step or two away. He would hop in the grass over to her and climb up... up and up until he was on her shoulder - which was his favorite place to be.

This painting includes the brilliant yellows, oranges and reds of autumn and bright green peas (one of Ralph's favorite foods). The background is rather abstract but has elements from some of the local foliage I gathered for inspiration.

"Sweet Pea in Autumn"

SOLD

Sweet Pea in Autumn (Original painting for SALE)

Coral2 Cove Website

Wild Cat in the Woods

2009-10-13T12:05:00.000-07:00

Autumn Cougar

A couple of weeks ago my brother and his wife, who live very near the Snake River in Idaho, were awaken in the night by "the most blood curdling screaming" they've ever heard, just back in the woods.

"It sounded like a woman screaming at the top of her lungs, to the point that I was getting ready to dial 911! Then, I realized what we were hearing: a mountain lion. At times it would become a throaty growl and extremely loud." B.W.C.

The next day my brother found the skeletal remains of an adult mule deer that had been completely consumed during the night. Mule deer are large animals - a doe weighs an average of 150 pounds. From tracks it appeared that there were two cats, an adult and juvenille cougar at the feeding site.

This true story inspired me to paint one of my very favorite wild cats.

She's just watching with that intelligent cunning gaze. Cougars bring forth the gifts of power and strength.

"Autumn Cougar"

Autumn Cougar for sale

Coral2Cove Website

Halloween Baby Rat ACEO SALE

2009-10-07T08:59:00.000-07:00

"Sweet Stash"

This week, I enjoyed painting a wee baby rat and her special Halloween stash. Over the years, our family has raised several mice and rats from fuzzies to adults. One of my daughter's favorite subjects to write about in elementary school, was her little female rat - 'Peanut' - a true sweetheart. This painting is dedicated to Peanut's memory.

My sketch for this ACEO includes one of my favorite Halloween treats as a child - candy corn! With the addition of the candy, the name of the painting became 'Oh so clear'. Writing down titles as they come to me helps in the process. Sometimes the most challenging aspect of a painting is giving it a title.

As this miniature progressed, I needed some fall items for the surroundings. Since we have several 100+ year old white oak trees right out side the front door - I did not go far for inspiration. An acorn seemed to be the perfect natural element to add to the little rat's treasure collection. I used a fine golden glitter ink to include a touch of gem quality to the acorn.

The finished painting shows rich autumn colors and the baby rat seems quite content with her 'sweet stash'.

SOLD

Visit My Coral2Cove Gallery to view 'Sweet Stash'

This painting is a sweet price - starting at $0.01!!!

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Sea Turtle Hatchling ACEO

2009-09-30T12:12:00.000-07:00

"Sand Flying"

This week - the joy of painting my very first sea turtle hatchling. I begin with a sketch:

Then I use pre-cut watercolor paper that I attach drafting tape to (rolled up on the center of the back of my art card). The miniature sized 'canvas' is adhered to a piece of recycled copy paper. I use this as my test palette while I progress through the painting. Generally, I only need a one half sheet size for testing my colors. This allows me to use one piece of copy paper for up to four art cards - refolding it to find a clean surface as needed.

The finished painting: a newly hatched sea turtle beginning the precarious journey from sand to sea. I had the pleasure of working with one of the most endangered of these beautiful creatures - Kemp's Ridley sea turtle from the Gulf of Mexico - many moons ago. What a wonderful experience it was to care for several very healthy active individuals. They grew so quickly and thoroughly enjoyed their meals of fish, squid and scallops. At feeding time - it was literally a splashing fest! The care taker was always soaked - I gave up on the apron idea very early on as it did not do much to keep my face, neck and shoes dry anyway.

Sea Turtle Hatchling "Sand Flying" 2.5" x 3.5" watercolor and ink by Colleen K Carrigan SOLD

Visit Coral2Cove Gallery to view this art card.

Sand Flying

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Orca Mother and Calf ACEO

2009-09-22T12:02:00.000-07:00

Orca whales are a favorite subject of mine to paint. I love the high contrast of the lights against the darks and their sleek appearance as they glide effortlessly through the sea makes them a joy to capture on art cards.

Here is a recent painting of a mother and calf as it progressed. First a sketch in pencil is drawn of the orcas swimming at the surface.

After transferring this image to watercolor paper, ink and a wash are added. Background washes are the first area I apply paint. After saturating the background areas of the paper with water, colors in a wet on wet technique are added. This gives a nice flowing and blending effect. Also, for my orcas, I always under paint with blues or mauves depending on the surrounding lighting. This painting has ultramarine blue added first to the whales, then several layers of Payne's gray. Highlights are left white or in some cases, added towards the completion using Chinese white.

The finished painting includes the details and the calf's dorsal fin was set back slightly from the original sketch.

"Keeping up with Momma" 2.5" x 3.5" watercolor and ink by Colleen K Carrigan SOLD

View this painting in my online gallery - Coral2Cove Gallery

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Welcome to My First Blog Entry!

2009-09-16T10:19:00.000-07:00

Welcome, my name is Colleen K Carrigan and as a naturalist/artist, I have devoted many years to animal behavior studies and nature observations. I thoroughly enjoy producing OSWOA (Original Small Works of Art) and art cards - ACEO's - (Art Cards - Editions and Originals) miniature treasures trade card size 2.5'' x 3.5''.

Here is one of my recent watercolor and ink paintings. I generally begin with a sketch.

Then, after transferring the image to watercolor paper (making alterations as needed) - ink is added over the outline using a Pigma Micron 02 archival ink pen. These pens work wonders - and don't blend when a wash is added moments later. I start with a background wash then add layers of color. I love rich vibrant hues and often under paint areas where red results with shades of yellows to brighten the reds. This painting had a couple of changes from the sketch - the palm fronds were moved slightly and the horizon was raised to enhance the contrast between the darker water and the dolphin's splash.

"Sunset Palm 'n' Dolphin"

This 4"x6" OSWOA is available in my Coral2Cove eBay Gallery.

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