A Symbol of Freedom

American Bald Eagle Portrait

8x8 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

 

The Eagle is a national bird symbol for the United States of America.  He was chosen as an image to use for the The Great Seal of the United States on June 20, 1782.  Some States use him in their seal as well.   I suppose the bird represents power because of his size and wing span, majesty because of his beauty, and freedom because he can soar and live in high places.  One of my favorite scriptures in the Bible is Isaiah 40:31: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”  So, the eagle has always been a bird that represents strength.  As I painted this regal bird I thought of freedom, of my country, my family and friends, my church and yes, my government.  I’m thankful for all these things even though not one of them are perfect, but I have the right to choose for myself whether right or wrong.  That is priceless!  I’m thankful most for my Lord and Savior Who gave me the opportunity to choose…..I chose right!  Let freedom ring!

Golden Pear Trio Original Oil Painting

Gold Pear Trio

Original Oil Painting

by

Cheri Wollenberg

This still life oil painting features juicy, golden pears against dark brown and rust colors.  I will probably take a better image later.  It is still wet and I am trying to find a good "picture taking spot" in the farm home we just moved to.....hence the wet surface caught more light than intended.  I have suffered "creativity withdrawal" since we've been here.  We have worked non-stop getting my studio ready to move more things from our previous home.  Today, I could bear it no longer.  I took out some photos that I had taken of fruit and decided to do a few pear paintings.  It felt so good to get the brushes out, squeeze the paint onto the palette, and transfer the rich colors to the canvas support with my brushes (lovely experience!).  I've already started the other one.  It will be tomorrow's post.  If you are interested in this painting as your own, you can click Golden Pears.

Rooster - Rooster Painting

Rooster 6

12x12 Original Oil on Canvas

by

Cheri Wollenberg

It won't be long until my husband and I will be moving to our farm home.  I mentioned in an earlier post (June 14)  that my grandson and I had talked about raising some chickens.  He has not forgot!!!  Thinking about chickens again caused me to remember a painting that I did of a rooster.  I never was very happy with the results.  The compostion was not right for the support size.  So this is what I did to this fellow....  I cropped him on the canvas, took my exacto knife and did a little "surgery".  He was painted originally on a 16x20 stretched canvas.  I cropped and cut a 12x12 image from it and I'm much happier now.  The composition reads better.   I glued the painted canvas to a heavy foamboard with archival glue and framed him.  He is in my Etsy shop.  You can see two views...one of him and one of him framed.   Have a look at him.  He is a very welcoming fellow:)

Meadow

Meadow

6x6 Oil on Canvas

by

Cheri Wollenberg

(SOLD)

The inspiration for this little painting came from my daughter-in-law who sent an image to me from her iphone.  She had been out feeding their cattle.  I have a difficult time painting landscapes on small canvases.  I am determined to do some plein air painting this fall.  Painting from life is always more invigorating and satisfying.  I am spoiled with still lifes because I can set them up in the setting of a comfortable studio and they are "still".  I will challenge myself this autumn to paint outdoors!

This painting may be purchased at:  Meadow