"Baby Emperor Penguins" (watercolor on paper; 7" x 10")

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Two baby emperor penguins in the sun. Is one on the right suggesting to her friend, "Let's play!"?

"Baby Zebra" (watercolor on paper; 6.5" x 4.5") sold

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I have been having lots of fun lately, working on small watercolor paintings, about the size of greeting cards.  The format forces me to come up with the images that are simple, yet powerful.  How about this baby zebra glowing in the setting sun?  His black and white stripes have turned into rainbow colors!

"Wolf on the Prowl" (oil on linen; 8" x 8") sold

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No, this is not a pet.  It is a wolf on the prowl.  I saw it at the International Wolf Center in Ely, MN several years ago.  As you may know, wolves are back in North America, which is thrilling to some and alarming to others.  The center is one of the world's leading organizations dedicated to educating the public about wolves.

We were safely behind the glass barrier; all the wolves out for the visitors to admire appeared pretty darn friendly.  I don't remember the name of this "ambassador wolf".  In another picture it looks like smiling!  I did my best to make the wolf look menacing, on the prowl in the moonlight.  I must say it was fun!

If you send me your pictures to kimstenbergart@gmail.com, I may make paintings out of them.  How fun is that!  At the end of September, I will do a drawing and one lucky person wins a free painting.  You can buy the painting anytime, but there is no obligation.  Thanks!

Oh, by the way, it's Day Five of Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 Challenge.  Only 25 more to go!

Roseate Spoonbill in the Pond" (oil on linen; 6" x 8") sold

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A friend of mine saw this beautiful bird with extravagant plumage, brunching in her pond.  I am green with envy.  When I see golden finches in my garden, I quiver with excitement.  If I have one of these spectacular birds in my neighborhood, I would die of ecstasy!

"Fawn in Dappled Light" (oil on linen; 6" x 8") sold

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Reference photo

It was Wednesday morning at breakfast table.  I was still tired, recovering from the rigors of the workshop last weekend.  I saw the fawn above in my backyard.  Through the kitchen window, I took some pictures, wondering where the mother was. There she was, partially hidden under a tree. 

The thing about deer is that they are rats on hooves.  If you are a gardener, you will know what I mean.  They act as if they own the neighborhood, treat our precious flowers as a salad bar.  Without natural predators, they are wreaking havoc in the eco system in many parts of the country. 

But look at the fawn.  How cute!  Despite my feelings about the species, I was genuinely concerned when I couldn't see its mommy.  If deer look like hyenas, I am sure the public will be up in arms.  We often equate beauty with goodness and ugliness with evil.  Things to ponder about.