Carolina Wren in the Snow

This little wren is just one of our many feathered friends who constantly beg to be painted. And in the background, you can see our new Lady Belle, who is also catching my eye!  I think she wants to be painted next, but Travis and Rebekah will be here soon to spend some time with her.  She's such a sweet addition to our family. Painting number 4781 in 4781 days. 

Junco Pair

 

I love painting these sweet juncos as they play in the snow!  My mom calls them snowbirds, and we have so many of them.  It is so peaceful to watch them as I sketch.  Within a few minutes, they pay me no mind, continuing as if I wasn't there at all.  I am working on a sketchbook that I use for wildlife, plant life, and nature related subjects.  The leather cover is adorned with an embossed plant, and led me to use it so.  When I get inside, I jot down a few thoughts.  I often sketch quickly on site and leave the spaces to fill in afterward. I do love the quiet peace a blanket of snow brings the landscape.  Painting number 4776 in 4776 days. 

Chickadee in the Cedar

 

It was a beautiful afternoon to paint this chickadee in the cedar!  It's been so very cold the last couple of days that 21 degrees feels balmy in the sun!  After tending the chickens, horse and cats, Beau followed me out in the snow for a quick sketch.  Once the sun drops behind a tree, it starts cooling off fast. I hope i get to paint snow for a few more days before it all melts.  Painting number 4772 in 4772 days. 

Cardinal

 

We've had so many cardinals out in the snow  - so I just HAD to paint one!  So many were sitting on the ground under the feeders, gathering seeds dropped by other birds.  The north side was sheltered from the wind, and they shared the space with other feathered friends.  Perhaps I'll paint a few of them tomorrow!  Painting number 4771 in 4771 days. 

Winter Cardinal

We have so many cardinals frequenting the bird feeders, and I love to watch them and sketch them!  The light snow overnight left a perfect dusting on branches to add that winter magic!  So far, the new kittens are only watching the birds, and occasionally climbing the trees to get near them!  Our cats have always gotten along with the birds through the years, and I hope that continues!  Painting number 4765 in 4765 days. 

Squirrel Mini

 

I absolutely love the tactile feel of the glass nib as it glides over the cotton paper, pulling so slightly on the soft texture.  Each glass dip pen is different, too.  The extra fine ones actually tear at the paper, and the medium ones deliver a better flow of ink.  The squirrels have gotten so close to the house lately! They have given up trying to get in my bird feeders, so now they just hang out below them, cleaning up after the birds.  Nearly every time I go back to the bay window, I startle one in waiting.  After a gorgeous day full of outdoor chores, it's nice to get in a miniature painting!  Painting number 4753 in 4753 days. 

Cardinal Perch

 

These sweet little cardinals nest here every year, and I get to watch those babies grow to raise their own families, too.  I pulled out a selection of cardinal paintings for a patron to choose her favorite.  She selected this one, which I had never posted.  I used very heavy watercolor board at a time when I was newly exploring the medium.  It didn't feel finished, and is a little different than my usual work.  I'm so happy it found a home where it will be cherished as a remembrance of her mother.  Painting number 4716 in 4716 days. 

Nesting Cardinals

Pen and ink has such a timeless feel on whatever I use it on.  The cardinals are frequent visitors and I often find their nests while tending my garden.  I love to watch and draw their antics any time of year.  My new Inkvent Calendar has arrived, so I will soon be opening a new bottle of ink each day to try in December. I'm so excited to see what unveils!  Painting number 4715 in 4715 days. 

Wild Turkeys

 

Wild Turkeys seemed too be the perfect subject on this holiday!  We had most of the family out for our Thanksgiving celebration, and Bill and Evelyn joined us, too.  They are normally in Arizona by now, but they aren't leaving until next week.  It's always like running a race to get everything ready, but so nice once the work is done.  It's great to visit and play with the grandkids! I'm so thankful for every day, and each person in my life!  Happy Thanksgiving!  Painting number 4713 in 4713 days. 

Chicadee Pine

 

I love sketching my feathered friends - and using three different inks to do it!  Chicadees are the sweetest little birds, and I enjoy watching them in the garden. I have all three pens loaded with favorite inks in matching colors, and I use a water brush pen to move the ink around a bit.  As I play with these inks, I am anxiously awaiting the newest Diamine Inkvent Calendar 2025! I can't wait to discover the little bottles of ink for each day until Christmas! Painting number 4710 in 4710 days. 

Wild Turkeys Inked

 

How often do I get to sketch wild turkeys in my sketchbook?!! These sweet birds make their daily journey down and up the mountain, walking right beside the cabin.  These were quite young, not nearly as filled out as the big ones. They are very tame here, almost as if they have no predators. I bet I won't see them on the banks of Lake Erie! Painting number 4573 in 4573 days. 

Wild Turkeys

Every morning these wild turkeys would walk down the mountain in a row to the stables below. They spent time with the horses most of the day, sometimes clustering together just over the road to rest. Each evening, they began their march up the mountain in a row, filing right by our cabin every time.  Sometimes they were close enough to touch!  They grew used to us, and hardly paused when we happened to be on the porch. What fun it is to enjoy the gentle rhythm of the wildlife up here. Painting number 4572 in 4572 days. 

Turkey Trot

Right on cue, the wild turkeys started their single file march up Emerald Mountain as we arrived at our cabin near sunset. These turkeys march down in the mornings to the stable, and up at night to roost. I thought the late comer at the end might just jump up on the porch as he eyed me curiously!  First sketch in my travel journal in Estes Park! I'm the Artist in Residence for the next three weeks!  Come see me if you're in the area!  Painting number 4545 in 4545 days. 

Cardinal Family

We often have cardinals nesting on the grounds, sometimes even by the front porch. When they are so close, I just can't resist painting them as they tend their little ones!  I've chosen pen and ink for this study on handmade paper - and I like the vintage feel of it!  Maybe I should do more of these studies in black and white.  Painting number 5087 in 5087 days. 

Downey Woodpecker

 

I've seen so many woodpeckers since the blizzard - and I'm happy to get to paint this Downey woodpecker today!  I've noticed them all over the trees, moving up and down in search of lunch.  The snow is a gift that shows them off to their best advantage, and I can't wait to do it again.  Painting number 5066 in 5066 days. 

Sparrows Jingle

I really enjoy watching the little birds in my yard!  The sparrows are so social, they group around the feeders and bushes, chattering in a cheerful way.  They've grown used to the jingle bells I've hung near them, so it's easy to sketch them in their habitat.  With ink and watercolor I complete this small painting, another in this year's Christmas card series.  I love my sketch time spent ioutdoors, it's so very peaceful here.  Painting number 5050 in 5050 days. 

Jingle Wren

This sweet Carolina wren is one of several that nest all around the place. I find their nests in watering cans, hanging baskets and even on my enclosed back porch when they find a way in!  I've hung a few red bells in their favorite places, and it is fun to watch their reactions!  At first, they were leary of the tinkle, but soon they got close and even pecked at them.  I'm painting these sweet birds for my Christmas cards, and choosing to do them simply, without the noise of a background to detract from the focus.  I like to get quiet and become one with my subject, and let all else fall away.  And then I finish, and the countless duties of the day are calling, and I rejoin the world once more  painting number 5042 in 5042 days. 

Jingle Titmouse

 

It was such a beautiful December day for sketching in the garden!  The birds are not too sure about the new red bells. They jingle slightly with movement, and I hope they get used to them, and even play with them.  They are not far from their feeders, so we'll see.  We spent the whole day outside with Casper and Kirby, taking care of many chores as we played.  It is nice to get in a quick painting, too.  Painting number 5032 in 5032 days. 

Jingle Chicadee

 

I think I've finally decided on a Christmas card theme! I found this little red bell at the Greenwood Country Tea Room today while lunching with Mom and the Tri-County Art League!  This is our annual holiday lunch, and I look forward to connecting with old friends that I don't see often.  Plein air season keeps me from many meetings until things lighten up this time of year. 

I hung a few bells where the birds come to my feeders, and I'm hoping to see plenty of play with these little bells as I wait with ink and watercolor!  Painting number 5028 in 5028 days. 

Deer and Pine

 

Seven deer met me on the lane when I returned a bit ago, so one is on my easel this evening.  The countryside is quiet when the air is cold and many leaves have already fallen from the trees.  Such a night inspires me to capture the wildlife, quite docile and unafraid of us.  They actually like my dog, and come close to the house to see him.  He likewise wags his tail and runs towards them when he sees them in the yard, or he ignores them completely as if they were just trees.  I'm looking forward to the quiet hours of winter with ink, watercolor and paper.  Painting number 5027 in 5027 days.