Freddy
watercolour on coldpress watercolour paper
original 20”x16”
Freddy is what my wife named a particular squirrel that visits our back deck daily. His routine is to first let us know his here. He does this by jumping onto the back of one of the wicker rockers and looks through the window. When he sees one of us get up out of our easy chair he runs over to a pear tree just a few feet away from the deck and waits while we place some bread on the deck, which of course he immediately returns to retrieve. Most of the time he sits on the deck railing to eat his feast.
Freddy belongs to the following groups:
Impressionism Café, Realist Traditional Art and Symposium of Modern Realists Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
Racheli
Nice to meet….Jim :-) very nice art work.
Jim Phillips replied
Thank you Rachel. I had fun painting this one.
Janis Zroback
Gosh didn’t I just see him outside digging up my lawn?...great work Jim,,,love the real sparkle in his eyes…that wary expression, which means he he’s watching and waiting for his chance…
Jim Phillips replied
That was exactly what he was doing. And yes, you probably have a Freddy in your back yard as well. Thanks Janis.
Hidemi Tada
He is so cute, yes his eyes are very well painted. I love this animal. i met them in the huge park of NY, London, and Montreal. i could become friend of them very easy. They ate peanut from my hand. Nice job JIm.
Jim Phillips replied
Then you truly understand our relationship with this little creature. Thanks for a kind comment Hidemi.
Colombe Cambo...
Jim I love your technique for painting the tree trunk, it’s very interesting. Yes your little friend is lovely, you have captured a nice moment but you would have had to be fast, those things can move….
Jim Phillips replied
I went out and asked him if he would mind holding that pose for me while I set up my easel. LOL I’m all the time out shooting things with my camera. I’ve got all kinds of birds, squirrels, and flower shots. If I never took another photo I would have enought right now to paint from for years to come. Thank you Colombe.
Marion Chapman
You captued his personality so perfectly. Wonderful painting.
Jim Phillips replied
And this one does seem to have so much personality. Thank you Marion.
firstglance
what a cute little devil and you did such a great job, reminds me of bob ross and his little friend lol!! this is jim and his friend , love it well done my friend !!!!!
Jim Phillips replied
Oh Harry, I was indeed a fan of Bob Ross. Even today I’ll pick at my wife while I’m painting by saying something like, “I think I will add a happy little tree right here!”
Ginny Schmidt
Wonderful work, Jim. I like the way you did the tree bark. Freddy is adorable—looks like a right cheeky little bugger, eh what? I love the little, narrow white chests on them. I hope your Freddy has a long and happy sojourn in your back yard.
Jim Phillips replied
With a fenced in back yard, a pool to drink out of, and with Barbara leaving bread for him he’s got it made.
Terri Chandler
Awww! What a neat story Jim. We don’t dare get our squirrels started eating bread; they are familiar enough with the seed that we put out. The dogs are quick to give them chase when they can and I sure wouldn’t want any of these sweet creatures to get hurt.
Excellant job!
eddiepark
Just lovely art piece!
Jim Phillips replied
Why thank you very much Eddie, I appreciate that.
WayoftheWarrior
AWESOME
Jim Phillips
Hey, thanks a lot mate.
Marsha Woods
Wonderful color and textures in this painting. My husband and I enjoy watching “our” squirrels in our backyard, too.
Jim Phillips replied
Aren’t they fun! Thank you Marsha.
Linda Callaghan
Nearly missed this one – you are lucky to have a Freddy – how cute is he,! painted beautifully, love the colours in the tree bark and the way you captured his expression
Jim Phillips replied
Thank you so much Linda, that’s a very nice comment.
Ilunia Felczer
hello Freddy….great watercolor Jim…it is so nice that he knows he is safe and let you know he is there….
Jim Phillips replied
Thanks llunia, it’s fun to watch these guys.
Jim Phillips replied
Sorry llunia, I would have thanked you for the favoring in my first reply had I been a little more attentive. I really appreciate the favoring, thanks.
Dayonda
Excellent. Was he named for Red Skelton’s old carachter “Freddie the Freeloader”?
I think they’d like to see Freddie and his pals over in SQUIRRELS
Jim Phillips replied
Actually my uncle was a squirrel that comes and knocks on his back door when he’s out of bird seed and he named that squirrel Freddie. It probably was after “Freddie the Freeloader.” I honestly didn’t know there was a SQUIRRELS group, thank you.
Marion Chapman
Featured in Watercolour
Theme: Animals
Jim Phillips replied
Thank you Marion. Seriously, if I had to choose a group to be featured in it would be the watercolour group. I am really very pleased.
starbuggirl
how cute!!! :D
Jim Phillips replied
Thank you very much starbuggirl, so are you. I went and took a look at your artwork. I have this feeling that in just a short while artist like myself better step aside, because we’re going to have to make a lot of room in the artistic community for you. Thanks again.
starbuggirl
Aww…..thanks!! now you made me blush! :-p
amarica
Love it!
Jim Phillips replied
Thank you for that nice comment.
LoreLeft27
oooh peekaboo such a cutie
Jim Phillips replied
He didn’t think he could be seen. Thanks.
Colin Cartwright
Excellent composition and some fine details on the squirrel and bark textures.
And a cute description to go with it.
The American Grey’s were irresponsibly introduced into Britain, and have virtually ousted our cuter little red squirrels. Up here, in Northumberland, is one of the few places where the reds have hung on.
Jim Phillips replied
Thanks Colin for a very kind comment and for the nature lesson. I was unaware of the Grey invasion.
taiche
This is a great painting of a very cute subject – gorgeous.
Jim Phillips
Why thank you very much. I also appreciate you favoring it. Thanks again!
Avril Brand
Oh I really need to find more time!!! I am missing the visual feast of work on RB and this is one of the most beautiful watercolours ever!!!
Jim Phillips
Avril, coming from such a talent as yourself, I consider this a very nice compliment, thank you very much. Believe me, I understand about trying to feel caught up. Just put RB in the right priority. Which means it probably isn’t going to be that close to the top. Thanks again, Jim
LorusMaver
Wonderful tones & textures, another fellow texture man !
Jim Phillips replied
Thanks Lorus, I’ll have to go check out you profile and see for myself.
Alexandra Felgate
Oh this is so cute!! And really lovely pointillism style too!!
Jim Phillips replied
This one used the paint, it’s a rather large work. Thank you Alexandra.
Hidemi Tada
very cute!
Jim Phillips replied
He still comes up on my back deck eveyday to check for bread scraps.
ElYPares
Awww.. He is so cute. I had one I named Blacky. It was black and I loved to bake so I would put the cake and bake goods against the window to cool off and Blacky would always come around and smell them. He would lean on the screen of the window to take a good deep breath. L.O.L.
Jim Phillips replied
They can be just like pets to a degree. Freddy stills comes up on our deck everyday to check if we’ve left him any bread. Which we still do occassionally.
Pinkham
Wish we had just one rodent to visit. You have caught him has he really is.
Jim Phillips replied
I’ve got a back yard full of them. And I guess they’re not planning on going anywhere so long as my wife keeps pitching bread scraps out the door.
doreen01
You are really master in this technique
and this work says that! :)
Jim Phillips replied
Thanks Doreen I appreciate that. Let’s call it dabism.
Ginger Lovellette
Marvelouos, Jim. I’m really enjoying your portfolio!!!
Jim Phillips replied
That is such a kind and sweet thing to say, Ginger. I really appreciate it.
Arie van der W...
Terrific composition Jim! Love the colors!
Jim Phillips replied
This was an unusually large piece for me. I painted this on a 28”x34” sheet of watercolour paper. Thanks Arie. And thanks for all the favorings.
saleire
Love this to bits…...he looks so cute :o)
Jim Phillips replied
We have a small patio table that’s close to a row of vertical windows and when Freddy’s hungry and there’s no bread left for him, he will actually sit on that table and look in. When my wife gets up and goes to get some old bread he will dash over to a near by tree (the one you see in the painting) and wait for her to return inside before he goes to retrieve the bread. We really enjoy watching Freddy and his buddies.
Catherine Howell
wonderful work!!
Jim Phillips replied
Thank you Catherine, this is an older piece that seems to be making a comeback. I appreciate your commenting.
Jim Phillips replied
Forgive me, and for adding it to your favorites. Thank you.
RJP061462
nicely rendered…I like the way you used the colors “SQUIRREL”
nicely rendered…I like the way you used the colors….LOL….seriously….I like it…one of my favs
Jim Phillips replied
LOL – I got it! Thank you Reed, I very pleased that you like it, friend.
MrTAH
love this….....the little guy needs a cookie…..
Jim Phillips replied
If it wasn’t for my wife he wouldn’t even have the old bread. lol Thanks MrTAH.
MrTAH
a good lady she is…........
K Bock
the squirrel is just so cute! you are so talented
love the shading and textures, wonderful colours! your painting is beautiful
please add your lovely work to our group, this is so good!
Impressionism Café
Jim Phillips replied
I’m sorry, I know I should be adding these for the challengs. Thanks for the wonderful comment.
Hopebaby
Very nice artwork Jim…good luck in the challenges.
Jim Phillips replied
When it comes to challenges it seems to be no middle ground for me, I either knock it out of the park or flop miserably. Thanks for the good wishes though.