Halcyon Oil Sketch

Oil sketch (studio view, above) for a potential full scale painting. 5 x 7 inches on linen adhered to a maple panel. Most are familiar with the word halcyon meaning "calm" but it's origins are from the ancient world; "A bird identified with the kingfisher and held in ancient legend to nest at sea about the time of winter solstice and to calm the waves during incubation (Miriam-Webster)." The image above shows a bird made of storm clouds, wing, legs, and its head curled with its beak beneath the wing. This was concieved nearly a decade ago as an ink drawing on a sketchbook spread, below, which had not reached the painting stage.