Tuesday, October 21, 2008

"Solomon Honu"



Finished this little fellow yesterday, I love turtles so this one is all mine. Ever since I visited Heron Island off Gladstone a few years back I've been amazed by these wonderful creatures. Although, the Turtles visiting Heron Island are mainly Loggerhead, this fellow is a Green Turtle.
Once again I used Atelier Interactive Acrylics, but this time I used a glaze too, a mix of paint and thinning medium to give the effect of the coral being under the sea.

The canvas measures 1200x900, so its probably one of the biggest paintings I've ever attempted.
I also got to use some of my fave colours too, gorgeous mixes of blues and greens for the sea.

Anyway he's now hanging in the hallway off the back deck against a golden sand painted wall and he looks devine.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

He's fantastic - I would definately give him a hawaiian name. mmmm let me think - Nani (beautiful), Honu (sea turtle), Moana (ocean - deep blue part), Akamai (intelligent), Ohana (family) - few ideas
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Pinkerrific

Anonymous said...

Oh my Bernadine, that is amazing. Such a talented artist you are. I think he absolutely needs a name... but I dont have any suggestiions.
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Nellie

Anonymous said...

Oh Bernadine he is absolutely magnificent! I have a *thing* for these creatures and you've captured him just as he should be! He looks 3D, and the way you've painted the sea is perfect ...... Oh my!!!!!!

Definitely needs a name, I like pinkerrific's "Moana".
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Janine

Anonymous said...

He's awesome Bernadine. You have captured him perfectly and your colours (the water, the shell) are exquisite. My how you have grown into your artistry.

He looks like a 'Soloman' to me - he has wisdom in his eye and carries his gold on his back.
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Kel

Anonymous said...

agree with JAnine, he definitely looks 3D. Great painting!!!!

Jane

Anonymous said...

Ohhh how gorgeous... I can't stop looking at him... he has a very comforting look in his eye. Love the effect you have created on his shell and the fact he has a few friends hanging out in the background!!

Gorgeous - I can't wait to see more of your paintings... well done!!!!
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*~* Karyn *~*

Anonymous said...

WOW Bernadine ... he looks great, wonderful, stupendous .... I love any of the names pinkeriffic came up with.
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oxoxo
Maryanne

Anonymous said...

Fantastic Bernadine!!! Reminds of those really nice postcards you see....with the beautiful blue water
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Opaldust

Anonymous said...

thats really awesome Bernadine! a beautiful painting... what a talented artist you are!

cheers, kimmy

Anonymous said...

wow WOW :O hes just stunning love it!


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Choot

Anonymous said...

OH MY GOD!!! Bernadine you are so amazingly talented! Is there anything you cant' do?!
Wow, at first I thought that was an actually photo which had the colours intensified with photoshop. The way you did the sea was amazing!

I'm thinking of how I could steal this one away for my wall!

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~Amy~

Bernie said...

Thank you all. Such positive comments, you're all so very nice.
If I may also say thanks also to Pinkerrfic and Kel for their wonderful suggestions. Am going to name him "Soloman Honu" I like the ring of that name.

Also about the colours Amy... I use to get into trouble from my mum because I always over exaggerated the colours I used when I painted as a child. I can't help it and as you can see nothing has changed... I just love bright colours...LOL

Anonymous said...

Hi Bernie, I dearly love your turtle. I would call him "The Wise One". They live such long and gracious lives. They have always been one of my very favorite creatures that God gave us. I too love the sea and the beauty that is in it as well as the tiny bit we get to see occasionaly on the top of it. Amy sent me a picture of her and hubby and son in a tiny rowboat near Adelaide with three dolphins breaking water in their playful leaps upward. It is soooo awesome that you are all able to see these wonderful things. When my hubby was in the Korean war, he said all the sailors loved it when the dolphins would surround the ship and stay with them for miles and miles on the ocean. He said they all felt safe with them. As though, when the dolphins were with them, no harm would come to any of them. I love the way turtles live in peace and harmony and really do not have any enemies that I know of. (If anyone knows of them being hurt, please don't tell me as I would rather play ostrich). You are such an amazing artist. I look at Wise One's face and see such wizdom of the deep and of the world as a whole. But, that is just me. Whatever you name him, I will be happy just knowing that he will be around our world forever. I send you much love my sweet lady. I am so happy that you are feeling better and back to your fantastic art. Hugs, Beverly Jane

Anonymous said...

Good name. I just love Honus They are such beautiful creatures.
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Pinkerrific

Anonymous said...

Awesome Name love it... love the piccy too.... so life like and 3D awesome work Bernadine... i love looking at your paintings
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~*Vicki*~

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeously rich coloured turtle! I think he is awesome Bernadine! I love the effect on his shell it is lovely.
Hugs Mel

Anonymous said...

I love turtles and he is so beautiful. You've done a fantastic job.

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Irene

Anonymous said...

You are very talented and the colours are amazing. This is so life like.
The first name to pop into my mind was Cecil but of course he needs a more exotic name like Ohana - ʻOhana is one of the main themes of the movie Lilo & Stitch ("ʻOhana means family and family means nobody gets left behind. Or forgotten."). I am sure this painting will be one handed down through your family.
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beading angel

Bernie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Thank you all my wonderful beading friends, you know how to make an Aussie girl smile.

Maryanne said...

Bernadine ... just wanted to say again that he looks great ... can't wait to see what you name him. :-)

Oh by the way, you have been tagged ... Sorry dear. Look on my blog for what to do. :-)