Work on the Flamingo Continues

"As my artist's statement explains, my work is utterly incomprehensible and therefore full of deep significance."
                                                                                                               - Calvin and Hobbes

I couldn't resist the above quote. Too bad I didn't find it until after my post about artist statements.

Meanwhile, work on the flamingo painting continues. The piece seemed flat and lifeless, so I applied paint using a palette knife and then multiple layers of drips and glazes to give the background some depth. I also started to add more texture to the flamingo's neck feathers so the bird wouldn't appear pasted on.

Flamingo with background texture.
(To the left you can see some objects for a still life set-up I've also been working on.)

Close up of background texture

I think I'm liking it better now, but I'm still on the fence. We're in for a snowy weekend, giving me plenty of time to ponder it more.