I will be painting ten bird-shaped Christmas ornaments for my rosemaling club. I always agonize over the design because the painting reflects the club as well as me. I started out with the bird on the left with the yellow flower and green leaves. That design wasn't going anywhere, so I didn't finish it. Then I tried the cabbage rose but the flower seemed to disappear on the white background and the dark blue leaves were too harsh.
Then I tried one of my Os flowers because of the bright, happy colors. I first painted the bird in the middle, but thought it looked a little empty. Then I painted the bottom one, but I think the top one fits the bill. Now I just have to paint them.
