Agalychnis callidryas is the scientific term for the red-eyed tree frog which is the subject of my latest painting. This piece was started a little while ago, and was a side project while I worked on other, larger pieces.
It is one of my "portable sized" pieces. I usually work on larger pieces at the studio, and works like this one are carted around with me in my daily adventures. I began this piece when taking the skytrain back from the airport, after seeing off my good friend Beth from Vancouver. Drawing on transit is a favorite pasttime of mine.
The initial painting began pretty quickly after, but it remained idle because I went on an adventure out to Atlantic Canada to visit old friends for my 5-year university reunion (Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick).
Upon my return to Vancouver, I began working on another painting that consumed me for some time. I worked on this frog here and there, and tightened up the colours on it. I felt that they had gotten richer, and deeper, but were still lacking the volume that I desire to satisfy myself with these art works.
I made it my mission to sit and finalize this piece last Friday after work. It was one of those nights where I had the time, and I wanted to finish a piece while watching a movie at the studio. If memory serves me correct, I watched The Empire Strikes Back, sipped red wine, and added all the highlights that finalized this piece.
Upon posting to my facebook page (facebook.com/jonshawpaintings) I sold the piece quickly - within an hour. It also got a good response from my followers and I'm happy with the overall piece.
