Blue Jay!

Sometimes, all I have time for is a quick ink and watercolor painting before meeting my obligations.  So, I sketched one of the many beautiful birds in my yard before presenting to a Virtual Summit Art meeting about mask making.  These birds are so striking in the landscape - and that gorgeous color unfolded just in time for me to drop it in!  I really want to spend more time sketching these birds this winter, and give them some deep study.  The way they swarm my feeders, I'll always have plenty of subjects to choose from!  Painting number 2924 in 2924 days. 

Blue Jay in Ink

Blue Jay in Ink
Ink on paper, 5x7
purchase here

I have several bird feeders outside of my bay window in the kitchen - and so many birds frequent the area!  I could sit there at the table and draw them during all the daylight hours - if I had the time!  Today, I am capturing one of the big boys - a blue jay, as he commands attention close to the window.  The old Rose of Sharon is the perfect perch, though it leans more every year!  I am using black india ink with the fine point and brush tip pitt pens tonight.  This drawing makes 1124 in 1124 days :)

January Blue Jay

January Blue Jay
Watercolor on 300lb paper, 9x6
purchase here

I have many watercolor paints that I have not yet used, so today, I tried a new one.  The color is Daniel Smith's Carbazole Violet, which I mixed here with indigo to get some wonderful winter shades.  I don't have any violets on my palette - but  this one just might make the cut!  Working on my favorite weight of paper - 300lb, I am using a block to paint on.  Once the paper is dry, I slip in a flat palette knife and separate the top sheet from the others.  Looking forward to tonight's snow - painting number 735 in 735 days, Day 4 of this January's 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Autumn Blue Jay

Autumn Blue Jay
Oil on panel, 6x4
purchase here

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!  After a full day of family, food, and visiting, the house has settled down and most of our company have headed for home.  As the dishwasher runs, I come to my easel rather late tonight.  I needed my "artistic fix" - something to help me unwind from the very busy day.  Pulling the brush through the paint is soothing for me, therapy in action with every stroke.  Once I finish, I can sigh with relief.  A day well spent with family - and this - the icing on the cake!  Painting number 698 in 698 days.

Nestled in the Pine

Nestled in the Pine
Acrylic on Panel

I have several bird feeders right outside the bay window in my kitchen.  Birds constantly fly from feeder to tree and back again.  Sometimes they line up in a holding pattern on the Rose of Sharon, awaiting an opening to dine.  When it is just too cold to go out and paint, or if I simply prefer to be warmly tucked in with hot tea, I paint from life at this window.  I have always loved birds, and I have quite an assortment to choose from.  This little blue jay is a frequent visitor, along with a few others in his family.  When I paint birds, I prefer the acrylics - by far.  I can paint exact lines and feathers that I just can't get with the creamy oils.  The acrylics lend an airy quality these little creatures.  My mother also loves these bird paintings - and I always think of her when I paint them :)