Draw A Bird Day, November 2020

Hi Friends. I have been enjoying our amazing fall weather and changing colors of the leaves. The squirrels are busy preparing for the colder weather, and the birds are always feasting at our feeders. Little finches like this one are numerous and constantly on the lookout for our neighborhood hawk and the cat from next door. Thank goodness the blue jays are so boisterous and squawk out their warning cries when danger is near.

Furtive Finch

I’ve been MIA from my blog for almost a month and have a lot of reading to catch up on. As if 2020 itself wasn’t bad enough, sadly we lost my dear father-in-law last month, and then we lost an uncle recently to Covid, so I just haven’t been in a creative mood. Sorry to be so glum, but I’m just being honest. Tell me how you’ve been; I’d love to hear how you are holding up. Sending virtual hugs to you all!

Draw A Bird Day, September 2020

Does this mallard make you smile? His cuteness certainly “quacked” me up 😆🤣😁

Mallard Duck

I hope you’ve been healthy and coping with the challenges of 2020. Stay well, friends!

Draw A Bird, August 2020

I can almost hear the shrill squawk of this spirited, sassy seagull!

Squawking Seagull

This reference photo made me LOL at first sight, and I hope this painting made you laugh, too! Happy Draw A Bird Day, August 2020 edition. Be well!

Draw A Bird, July 2020, Plus the 1st Week’s Recap of World Watercolor Month

Hi friends. For this month’s Draw A Bird day, I painted an osprey portrait. When on vacation, we enjoy watching osprey fly over the ocean looking for big fish. Even better is when you see them flying away with their tasty meal (although a feel a little bad for the fish). We also like to see another type of osprey practicing maneuvers up and down the beach, as you will see in the last picture below.

Osprey

Charlie, the founder of Doodlewash and World Watercolor Month (WWCM), has given us thought-provoking prompts this year for WWCM, and here are my interpretations for the first week. These paintings are not meant to be masterpieces. The point is to simply enjoy the process of painting and not worry about the end product so much.

Rejoice – “The world rejoices in flowers”

Texture – Rust

Playful – Jumping in the Surf

Quiet – Tea and Reading

My Favorite Color – Blue

Flow – Shower

Free – Marines practice Osprey maneuvers over the beach we visit

World Watercolor Month is an annual global charitable event featuring the ultimate challenge of 31 Watercolors in 31 days.   Artists around the globe come together to paint the world with beautiful watercolor and help raise awareness for arts education to get art supplies for kids who need them.  If you want to know more or help deserving children obtain art supplies, please check out the official WWCM website here. See you next week with a recap of week 2. Stay safe out there!

Draw A Bird, June 2020

I hope this blog post finds you well and enjoying the change of season (without all the crazy rain we had during the early spring).

Although I don’t recall northern mockingbirds in this area when I was younger (maybe I didn’t pay that close attention), we now have many at our feeders.

Northern Mockingbird

Northern mockingbirds are plentiful when I have suet or whole peanuts offered, and they also are seen eating loose seed underneath the seed feeder. Evidently they like berries, too.

Fun fact: Northern mockingbirds can mimic up to 200 sounds in their environment including other birds, alarms, and gates creaking. Pretty clever!

Draw A Bird, May 2020

I’ve been working with my pastels again lately and painted (yes, it is still called a painting even though it is made with pastels) this kingfisher bird on gray pastel paper.

Kingfisher in Pastel

Kingfishers like to swoop around and fish in streams and lakes, and I first saw one last year while in Asheville, North Carolina. Also, I painted one in March 2017 for Draw A Bird Day. As I said in that post, their feather colors are so pretty!

How are things going for you? I hope you are hanging in there and feeling optimistic about the future! I love that the weather has changed and that the trees and plants are budding and blooming. I am sending good wishes to you, and please stay well!

Draw A Bird, April 2020

Hi friends. How is everyone doing? We are holding up well and distracting ourselves with some home projects, cooking, and jigsaw puzzles.

Today is the real Draw A Bird Day, even though many artists draw or paint a bird on the 8th of every month just for fun. Spring is here in full force and robins are hopping all around our backyard, so I thought it appropriate to honor them.

Spring Robin

I pray that you and your families are safe and well, and I’m sending positive thoughts and love as we continue to shelter in place. Hopefully by next month’s Draw A Bird Day, we will be enjoying some normalcy to our days. Be well!