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. 

Oranges on the Branch

We slept on the enclosed patio, and it was delightful! All night long, the sweet aroma of orange blossoms wafted in, as the Arizona winds blew and rain fell sporadically.  I love the sounds and scents outdoors at night, they lull me like a lullaby.  And, waking outside was amazing.  I studied the form of the branches, blossoms and oranges, from my pillow.  As I leisurely headed in for hot tea, my mind was already on painting.  With ink and watercolor I rendered the scene, and went back in for another cup of tea with fresh lemon from another tree.  What a perfect way to start a day!  Painting number 3373 in 3373 days. 

Quiet Winter Pond

From the north bank of the pond, I find a spot out of the wind.  These old limbs stretching out over the water are a favorite perch for our resident Blue Heron.  He was fishing here today as I approached, and probably would have stayed had Beau not scared him off.  I love the dark water which I only find this time of year, and I feel an urgency to paint it while I can.  Again I have my thumb box pochade and my Altoid tin is my oil palette for this box.  I slip it under that sliding shelf to hike back to the house, and this one has only Richeson oils on it.  I really like the way they behave in the cold, important since I don't use solvents or turps, just the paint.  The snow is melting way too soon, without another in sight.  Painting number 2919 in 2919 days. 

Feathered Friends

As the rain fell for hours, I wondered if I'd ever get outside to paint.  Drinking my hot tea, watching the birds dart to the feeders and back to the branches, I decided to draw them in ink.  I started with one, moved to another, soon filling the paper with my feathered friends.  Sometimes, I'd have to see several birds in a particular pose before I could finish.  I found myself popping in little dots for quick shapes, just in case they moved.  It made my sketching faster and more accurate.  They rest in a young redbud and on a hummingbird vine close, taking turns at the feeders.  It was fun getting back to just ink on paper.  Love the vintage quality.   Painting number 2697 in 2697 days.

Cardinals in the Vine

With a light snow overnight, the feeders were swarming with birds all day!  So busy they were, I had to refill them all just before dark!  I found myself watching them often as I entered or left the kitchen, easily visible from the bay window.  I had to paint them, and since I've been using watercolor all month, I stayed in that path.  I think they are more difficult in watercolor and ink!  Never daunted by a challenge, I went in and painted two more - the third I'm very happy with.  Some days it just takes those extra strokes at the easel!  I think I'll be taking out my oils tomorrow, this snow is just too yummy to resist!  Painting number 1821 in 1821.

Robin Nesting

Robin Nesting
Watercolor on paper, 9x6

This sweet robin is nesting in one of our trees, and today, I am capturing him with watercolor on 140lb cold pressed block.  I love painting on the blocks, and rarely use the single sheets of paper.  I think it is because I prefer a rigid surface - like my masonite and wood for my oils and acrylics, and the block holds it’s shape perfectly without any need to tape or clip down the paper (which is something I don’t like at all).  I feel a little rusty with this one, like I need to “brush up” on my watercolor bird painting......maybe I’ll do a few more birds until I feel comfortable again.  Painting number 1188 in as many days.

Chickadees in Ink

Chickadees in Ink
Ink on paper, 5x7

After getting a little frustrated with a large painting today, I am turning my attention to something cheerful!  These darling little birds are joyful creatures to watch.  They are quick, light, and hop along the branches cheerfully, as they wait for an opening at the bird feeders.  They are so abundant today!  It feels so like spring with the warm, balmy temps and calm breezes......even though the winds are due to change, and possibly bring us some snow!  Oh no!!  I am not a cold weather fan, and truly could not live any further north than Kansas City!  Give me the heat any day!  But, these birds are a staple, no matter the weather, and a joy to draw as they flit back and forth to feed.  These little chickadees make the 1127th piece in 1127 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 :)

Robin in the Pear Tree

Robin in the Pear Tree
Oil on wood panel, 10x8
purchase here

The flowering pear outside of my bedroom window is bursting with delicate white blooms!  Spring has really arrived when the robins start looking for nesting spots!  Last year, they nested in the mulberry tree - I hope they will return to the same location!  Today, my chosen blue is prussian - it makes this wonderful warm blue sky. Transparent red oxide is just right for the robin, and my thickest white paint for the palette knife work is the best - if only my radiant white from Gamblin had arrived......it would be perfect for this painting! I think I'll top it off for the brightest highlights on the petals when it does come in.  This painting makes 822 in 822 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.

Goldfinches in the Redbud

Goldfinches in the Redbud
Oil on panel, 12x6

Every day, when I finally get to my easel, I need to decide what to paint.  Sometimes, I already have ideas floating around in my head.  Other days, I really have no idea.  I feel like I should be painting snow, while we have snow.........but my heart is not in it.  As I was scanning though my reference work, I found some wonderful redbud photos - and the goldfinches are right outside my window, so today, I combine the two for a spring painting!  This has been such a cold winter, it has me really longing for warmer days.  I had to dig out my permanent rose tube for this one - I think I only bring it out for spring and summer florals!  Painting number 411 in as many days :)

Blue Jay Play

Blue Jay Play
Oil on panel, 12x6

On this snowy day, these beauties await a turn at the feeders right outside my kitchen windows.  This family of blue jays has tamed the Bully Mockingbird who had been chasing all birds from the feeders!  There are five of them, all very sweet, getting along with the other birds just fine - except for the one who came chasing after them.  That little mockingbird would race around the house, nipping at birds much larger than herself, until finally she had bullied them all into submission.  The blue jays would not have it.  They simply chased right back, refusing to submit.  Now, she is well behaved and stays in her own part of the yard, allowing all birds to enjoy our little slice of heaven.  We have a good 6 inches of snow already, and another 1 to 4 is expected tonight.  Hope you are all staying warm and dry!  Painting number 400 in 400 days!  Time for a glass of wine and a heated blanket :)

Sweet Chickadees

Sweet Chickadees
Oil on panel, 12x6

The little chickadees line up on these branches, awaiting their turn at the feeders.  They are very social, flitting back and forth from feeder to branch and sharing the latest gossip.  The ice today barely started to melt, and our road is still a sheet of ice.  We just have to wait for enough sunshine to melt it off before we can make it to town!  No salt out here, ever.  If we really do get 4 - 8 inches of snow on Tuesday, I hope to take the kids out to Mad Dog Hill for sledding.  Then I will have some super fun new sledding photos to paint from!  I won't be painting en plein air, because I will be on the slopes!  I'm letting this one rest for now.  I haven't decided what it needs, but "my inner voice" is not telling me it is finished.  So, I will post for now, and revisit it later.  Sometimes all a painting needs is fresh eyes on another day.  Painting number 398 in as many days :)

The Robin's Nest

The Robin's Nest
Oil on panel, 14x11
sold

Last summer, while pruning back a stubborn mulberry bush, I found this little nest tucked deep within the branches.  Much to my surprise - there were three tiny blue eggs inside!  I had not seen any robins nearby as I worked, and I couldn't believe the nest was in such close proximity to where the cats had frolicked daily.  When I decided to paint this, I thought it would be easy subject matter - knocked out quickly.  Wrong!  That sweet little nest of sticks was certainly a challenge!  Getting enough paint on was key - and then the pulling  strokes hither and yon, completed the nest.  I am channeling my inner spring with this 397th painting in as many days :)

Cardinals on the Branch

Cardinals on the Branch
Oil on panel, 6x6
GOT Art Gallery Holiday Trunk Show

As I put this composition together, I really wanted to show the "conversations" birds seem to share while I watch them from the window.  Being very social, they constantly look at each other with purpose, expressing themselves with their faces and body language.  We do not have any snow, in fact it has been absolutely beautiful here - close to 60 today - so, I have used my artistic license to dress the branches lightly with a little white.  With so much on my plate as of late, I must now start giving up sleep to finish all of my work.  It happens every year about this time, and it is a good thing I have never needed much sleep!  Painting number 330 in 330 days :)

Cardinal at Rest

Cardinal at Rest
Oil on wood panel, 6x6

I don't think I've painted a bird since January!  I really do enjoy everything about them - their song, the flitting from branch to branch, and their graceful movements.  Each year, cardinals nest in a giant old Seven Sisters rose bush, raising their babies, and bringing them to the feeders outside my kitchen window.  They are so striking in the winter landscape with their crimson feathers.  I must now get back to framing, them to start on my cards before heading over to our oldest daughter's house for yet another holiday get-together.  I have been itching to paint a couple of large winter landscapes for my own walls for the season, but I just don't know when I am going to get that squeezed in.  Painting number 329 in 329 days :)

Cedar Waxwings

Cedar Waxwings
Oil on panel, 12x9

Once a year, normally the first or second week in January, these birds flock the the giant Bradford pear tree outside my bedroom window.  These beauties jump from branch to branch eating the little berries until they are almost gone.  They are only here a couple days - not to return until next January.  I was lucky enough to be home to paint them from my window!  I'm still playing with the brushstrokes - and really enjoying the heavy paint.  This is day 17 of the 30 day painting challenge - and I am actually getting comfortable in this routine :)

Morning Mockingbird

Morning Mockingbird
Oil on panel, 10x8

This is the first mockingbird to come to the feeders in all these years!  He showed up on the first day of snowfall, and perches on the same branches of the rose of sharon  each morning.  A bit fluffed up from the cold, he keeps looking over his shoulder at me, to see just what I am up to!  I was half way through this painting before I remembered I prefer painting wildlife in acrylic!  Too late for that - so it is oils all the way!  I did use a bit of the walnut oil alkyd to sharpen some of my lines here - and it worked just great.  This is day 8 of the painting challenge - and I am off to get a jump start on the next one :)