Starkey Park

 

I love painting the coots in this marshy area in Starkey Park!  There was a good sized alligator by the distant grass when I arrived, but he was not to be seen when I again looked for him.  My brother loves to ride his bike in this park as my nephew hikes.  There are several viewing areas from which to bird watch, each stretching out into the water a bit.  Mom likes to watch the wildlife as water birds fly in and out, never paying attention to us.  Two other ducks were parading along with tiny ducklings much further away, and I couldn't help but look for that alligator again.  Again, my mind is on my dear friend, who will not be able to share such moments with her family now.  How can it be when it seems so wrong?  Once again, I think my practice is daily painting is good therapy, in all the seasons of life.  Painting number 5119 in 5119 days. 

Two Chickadees

Watching the little chickadees at play is so fun!  So many birds are constantly flying to the feeders.  When I am very still, they do not even notice me!  I've started playing a few bird calls on my phone as I work, and the birds come very close indeed!  I've lately been wanting to sketch these beauties in pen and ink, really studying their forms.  The pen I chose today - a TWSBI Eco - mostly has Levenger's Raven Black in it, but there was a mix in it before with their Cocoa Brown, too.  So, it has the tiniest bend in tone.  I have floated a really juicy water brush pen into the lines, giving me wetter areas on the cotton paper for that ink to spread. I like it!  This allows me to get very dark, and I'm leaving plenty of white in the negative space.  I love the whole pen and ink process, and hope to sketch many of my feathered friends!  Painting number 2938 in 2938 days, and day 25 of the #stradaeasel challenge.  Now we're off to dinner at my Mom's - her first time to host us for dinner in her new house!