OYSTERCATCHERGIRL: Struggling to keep pace with worldwide demand for oystercatcher art since 2007: 2011

Nov 26, 2011

Oystercatchergirl in natural habitat

These paintings were exhibited in the Oak Bay Library, Victoria, BC, throughout December.

Yours truly at Oystercatcher Central is on a little artistic side-trip. The above paintings are shown individually, below.

It all started when a good friend, who has a garden in Duncan, British Columbia, suggested that I paint something pertinent to her region. Until then, it hadn't occurred to me to depict anything other than ... oystercatchers!

Here are the fruits of that happy request. I hope the results aren't too drab and morose.

Steller's Jays #3
48" x 30"

California Quails #2

California Quails #2
48" x 30"

California Quails #3

California Quails #3
48" x 30"

Steller's Jays #4

Steller's Jays #4"
48" x 30"

Nov 9, 2011

"Beyond Oystercatchers 101", by Anne Hansen

California Quail #1
72" x 18" (excerpt)

This tall, slender size is virtually impossible to photograph in its entirety! The bottom half is packed with more California poppies.

Nov 7, 2011

Oystercatchers #277

Thank you to all who attended the Oak Bay Studio Tour (Nov 5 & 6). Generous oystercatcher arts patrons from Nanaimo have now given a new home to "Oystercatchers #277". Sending my profuse thanks to Paul for his loyal help with the Oak Bay Studio Tour, and to Ron for expert assistance with art sales.

Oystercatchers #277
20" x 16"
SOLD

Nov 3, 2011

Oystercatchers #190

Announcing Oystercatchers #190 (48" x 12"), just purchased by a Vancouver patron of the oystercatcher arts. This long, tall deep-forest painting was inspired by a visit to Haida Gwaii, where I volunteered for oystercatcher research with the Laskeek Bay Conservation Society.

Oct 12, 2011

Steller's Jays are the new Oystercatchers! (Just this week!)

Steller's Jays #1
30" x 24"

"You might need to take a CPR course in case you have to revive anyone who comes to your shows expecting oystercatchers and comes across a Steller's Jay" -- Oystercatchergirl's naturalist friend from Ontario

Oystercatchergirl: "Mom, I'm painting a new bird species."
Oystercatchergirl's mother: "Hallelujah!"

Oct 9, 2011

Steller's Jays #2

Steller's Jays #1
20" x 20"
SOLD

Sep 28, 2011

Oystercatchers #285

Oystercatchers #285 (excerpt)
48" x 30"

Sep 10, 2011

These paintings just found a new home on the James Bay Art Walk, September 17 & 18, Victoria, BC.

Oystercatchers #251, 252, 253
20" x 16" each

Sep 9, 2011

Oystercatchers #284

Oystercatchers #284
48" x 30"

Sep 8, 2011

Oystercatchers #265

Oystercatchers #265
20" x 16"
SOLD

Oystercatchers #278

Oystercatchers #278
20" x 16"

Aug 25, 2011

Oystercatchers with California poppies, inspired by bicycle rides along Victoria's shoreline. Here's the view at McNeill Bay.

We're in the mood for poppies at Oystercatcher Central. But scroll down for more fish, seaweed, and forests. Oystercatchergirl is equally in love with oystercatchers, and their habitat.

Oystercatchers #281
48" x 30"

Oystercatchers #282
48" x 30"

Oystercatchers #283
48" x 30"

Aug 20, 2011

Oystercatchers #280

Oystercatchers #280
48" x 30"

Jul 28, 2011

Oystercatchers #276

Oystercatchers #276
20" x 16"

Painting up a storm!

Jul 25, 2011

Oystercatchers #274

Oystercatchers #274
20" x 16"
SOLD

Oystercatchers #275
20" x 16"

Jul 20, 2011

On a 20" x 16" art canvas binge!

Kissing an oystercatcher on Seabird Rocks, off Bamfield, BC. Photo courtesy of Peter Clarkson of Parks Canada. See July 7th entry, below.

See these and other paintings in the JAMES BAY ART WALK, 140 Oswego Street, Victoria, BC, September 17 & 18, 2011.

Jul 15, 2011

See below for Oystercatchergirl's exciting day of bird-banding in Pacific Rim National Park!

Oystercatchers #269
20" x 16"

Oystercatchers #271
20" x 16"

Oystercatchers #270
20" x 16"

Oystercatchers #273
20" x 16"

Jul 12, 2011

Oystercatchers #267

Oystercatchers #267
28" x 22"

Jul 11, 2011

Oystercatchers #266

Oystercatchers #266
20" x 16"
SOLD

Oystercatchers #268
20" x 16"
SOLD

Jul 7, 2011

Oystercatchergirl kisses an oystercatcher!

Thanks to a generous invitation by Peter Clarkson, biologist with Parks Canada in Pacific Rim National Park (and oystercatcher and harlequin duck aficionado), I got to partake in a day of bird banding with his team on an isolated island off Bamfield on Vancouver Island. Here I am, cuddling my favorite bird! (Peter on right.)

Lots of pigeon guillemots, too!

Oystercatchergirl's art cards are now available at Tofino Sea Kayaking, 320 Main Street, Tofino, BC.

Jun 29, 2011

Tall, skinny paintings ...

Oystercatchers #264
(36" x 6")

Oystercatchers #263
(36" x 6", excerpt)

Oystercatchers #262
(36" x 6", excerpt)

May 24, 2011

Oystercatchergirl off to the prairies to see avocets, phalaropes, ruddy ducks, and chestnut-collared longspurs ...

Oystercatchers #261 excerpts
(see entry below for full 18" x 72" painting)

Oystercatchergirl will be enjoying prairie and mountain birds until June 18th. I'll miss my oystercatchers, but avocets are their close relative!

Oystercatchers #261

Oystercatchers #261
18" x 72"

Oystercatchers #260

Oystercatchers #260
36" x 6" (excerpt)

Oystercatchers #255

Oystercatchers #255
20" x 16"
SOLD

Oystercatchers #258

Oystercatchers #258
36" x 6"

Oystercatchers #259

Oystercatchers #259
6" x 36" (excerpt)

Oystercatchers #257

Oystercatchers #257
20" x 16"

Oystercatchers #254

Oystercatchers #254
20" x 16"
SOLD

May 13, 2011

Oystercatchergirl in art show at International Marine Conservation Congress, Victoria, BC, May 14-18. Click here.

Oystercatchers #256
20" x 16"
SOLD

OYSTERCATCHERGIRL VAN GOGH

"So enjoyed meeting you yesterday and viewing your fabulous art. Makes a piece extra special when you have met the artist in person. Hung the (print of) Red Sky In The Morning in the kitchen so I can enjoy it every day." -- arts patron, Parksville, BC (April 2016)

"Congratulations on your recent sales! You astound me with your productivity. You paint more in a month than I do in a year." -- Vancouver nature artist (November 2014)

"Thanks for the amazing experience that your art brings to us and our patrons." -- Librarian, Esquimalt Library (January 2014)

"That is totally strange. Your art is so much more interesting than some of the stuff I saw there." -- L.C., Victoria BC (July 2013), commenting on the 2013 Moss Street Paint-In

"I just want to thank you for the article that has been published this week. It is great and I have had many positive comments from viewers. You can certainly write!" -- James Bay Art Walk artist (June 2013)

"You are blessed with many gifts including time management, a great ear as well as a good eye. I'm sure all appreciate your quiet leadership and intellect. Thanks from all of us." -- James Bay Art Walk artist (April 2013)

"I absolutely adore the one with the two jays, the salmon and their associated habitat." -- PA (March 2013)

"I have always loved your work and have great respect for what you are doing here." -- DR (January 2013)

"I was impressed with your demo at Opus, that you were completely poised, relaxed and able to both paint and communicate with the audience." -- KS (March 2013)

"I still adore your Bruce Peninsula painting! I just had to let you know again." -- Oystercatchergirl art patron in Ontario (March 2013)

" ... Between your work and the other visiting artist at Victoria in March (Brian Buckrell), our customers are in for a real treat. Beautiful work! I wish I was in Victoria to attend." (Crissy of Opus Art Supplies, in planning for Anne's in-store demonstration on March 9, 2014).

"Your hooded mergansers are just as remarkable as your oystercatchers." -- JS, Victoria, BC (January 2013)

"Great work thinking up this action! You're the only painter who also knows how to write great activist press releases, too." -- KW, Victoria, BC (January 2013)

"I'd pay $400 for a bald eagle, but not for an oystercatcher." -- Oystercatcher arts patron

"Are those seagulls? Birds are fun. I have a cockatiel." -- art event visitor (September 2012)

"Are you still doing those ducks?" "I thought they were twisted cormorants." "Are they gulls?" "I thought you were making them up." -- a choice selection of keen observations (August 2012)

"You are freaking awesome! Your bio/statement is beyond words. Love it! And I'm shocked by the large number of exhibitions you're having." -- Angela, Toronto (August 2012)

"Oystercatchers #59, with a touch of yellow sky, is a masterpiece. It illustrates the grandeur of the Strait of Juan de Fuca as Oystercatcher Central, the way I see it." -- Stud Puffin, Victoria, BC (August 2012)

"You look to be a very successful artist, and that is probably a tribute to your vision, style, and perseverence." -- MR, Pender Island, BC (April 2012)

"Your paintings capture both the sublime nature of the BC coast and the 'oystercatcherness' of oystercatchers." -- Cynthia, patron of the Oystercatcher arts (April 2012)

"Your jays are stellar and the quail quivering with life. Good for you for branching out." -- Kate, Victoria, BC (December 2011)

"California Quails #1" is a masterpiece if one is to dare painting a painting 18" wide by ten kilometres in length." -- Mendelson Joe, artist (December 2011)

"What did you paint when you lived in Ontario -- smokestacks?" James Bay Art Walk visitor (Sept 2011)

"I first learned about the glorious oystercatchers through your work! Now I look for them all the time -- even in the Oak Bay Library." -- Maria, attending the Oak Bay Spring Studio Tour (April 2011)

"You are the most beautiful oystercatcher painter who I have ever met." -- Anne's boyfriend (July 2010)

"Anne Hansen is an ornithological Emily Carr on mescaline." -- Mendelson Joe, artist

"Your blog has evolved into a colourful, poignant and entertaining place to visit for a refreshing drink of inspiration." -- JC, Victoria, BC

"These are fabulous! You have totally captured the black oystercatcher's, ummm, oystercatcheriness! It is lovely that you have focused on an underrrated west coast bird (i.e., not an eagle) and shown how beautiful it, and its environment, are. The colors and the lines are great. I like how you do vertical panels when an oystercatcher's world is so horizontal, or so it seems to me. I love your kelp, too. How often does one admire kelp? ... And if you are truly addicted to oystercatchers, I hope you never seek treatment." -- Chris Earley, Interpretive Biologist, Arboretum, University of Guelph, and author of "Waterfowl of Eastern North America" and other field guides

"I remain very impressed with you. No other local artist paints our fantastic coast fantastically like you." -- biologist Jacques, Victoria, BC

"Oystercatchers? I've never heard that expression before." -- James Bay Art Walk walker (Sept 2010)

"Those are rooks that you paint." -- Victoria resident

(The rook is a member of the crow family, inhabiting Britain and Ireland, and eats earthworms, insect larvae, fruit, and cereal grains.)

"We have reviewed all submissions, and unfortunately we are declining the opportunity to offer you a placement in this year's event." -- Moss Street Paint-In, Victoria, BC (second year in a row)

Great show, Anne. I always sense a subtle theme in your work, but can never quite put my finger on it." -- Gallery visitor (June 2010)

"Being here is like visiting Vincent Van Gogh!" -- artist Jane Gray, patron of the oystercatcher-arts, speaking from Anne's studio (January 2009)

"I'm sitting at the Moka House in James Bay right now and I couldn't help but notice how terrible your paintings are." -- J. Raath, Victoria, BC. (September 2008)

"I love how your work has evolved and in fact has galloped along with abandon since the first inspiration!" -- Judith Rackman, BC artist (April 2010)

"What is it about crows that you like so much?" -- ornithologically-challenged gallery visitor, September 2009

"You are never one to be idle, but holy oystercatcher! They are fantastic. They have just been waiting for you all their little lives. I'm so glad they found you!" -- Clover Woods, Guelph, ON (March 2010)

"Love your bold colors and oystercatchers as a west coast icon." -- James Bay Art Walk visitor

"Oh, Anne, I love your penguins!" -- discerning art lover

"I was thrilled to see a decided lack of bears, eagles, and whales in your work, and that you chose an overlooked and underappreciated bird such as the oystercatcher to focus on." -- Victoria sculptor (Oct 2009)

"Thanks for showing us Oystercatcher Central. I think they're really going to take off." -- Gail McCormack, civic activist extraordinaire, Guelph, Ontario (January 2009)

"Your website is absolutely fantastic. It makes me supremely happy just to look at your paintings, and the oystercatcher photos are amazing." -- Gail Littlejohn, editor/publisher, "Green Teacher" magazine

"Your art is beautiful, and radiant! -- Sue Z, Ann Arbor, MI, USA (June 2009)

"I notice you have black birds in all your paintings. Is there some significance to that?" -- viewer at James Bay Art Walk

"Dear Anne: I am afraid that the members of Collective Works didn't feel that your work is the right fit for the direction of the Gallery ... you have a nice personality ... " -- gallery spokesperson

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