American Goldfinch

Adult males in spring and early summer are bright yellow with black forehead, black wings with white markings, and white patches both above and beneath the tail.

Look who visited my feeder today!

Dream In Color

An AJ page with the dictionary definition of DREAM.  While looking at the vibrant colors in this piece, I thought of  "Dream in Color".  I stamped that sentiment on the left side of the page.  In this piece, I used lots of fun things.  The flowers are made of paper towels I use when painting, so they have lots of random color on the towels.  On the corrugated cardboard piece, I glued dried pieces from my Golden paints  (you know the ones that dry inside the lids).  Lots more book pages, layers and layers of paint and more stamping.  When I looked at the piece this morning (no picture of the before) I just didn't like it.  The colors were too dull and too much the same.  So I just started adding more color and loved the final product.  As they say, let it sit awhile and come back with fresh eyes.  Then go for it!

First Class

AJ page in my altered book. I love the saying "It doesn't count if... it's the last one." Notice the cake? I used several girls that Hope had cut for me. I love the First Class stamps from an envelope I had because I thought the girls were First Class. Thought the page turned out pretty cool.

Baby Bird

While at the beach last weekend, we found this baby bird.  I think he'd fallen from his nest.  I'm not sure but think it may be a Blue Jay.

Day Lily

House Finch

I saw a bird at my feeder today that I hadn't seen before. I think it is a House Finch.

Free Spirit

 Grow wings and take flight looking for a place to express your free spirit.

Take flight!

Distressed Sketch

I took a sketch of down east and distressed it a bit. I love to take original art and make interesting changes to create a whole new piece.

Today is Memorial Day.  Take time to remember those past and present who served to protect our freedom.

Mother's Day

             Looking out across the Indian River over to Merritt Island 

I had a very enjoyable Mother's Day.  It was a peaceful and cool day.  I sat on the porch and just sketched what I saw while enjoying family and a hot cup of coffee.  It reminded of being back home and looking out over the sound to the beach.

Quote

                 Linda Naiman said, "When we engage in what we are naturally suited to do, our work takes on the quality of play and it is play that stimulates creativity." 

I pulled this quote off of a blog I was reading because her quote rang true with me.  My studio is a place for me to play and to create.  It is a place that is all my own where I can get lost in the sheer joy of creating.   It can be a happy place and a place of escape.  I recently told some friends it was great therapy. 

Play is a great motivation and inspiration.  It is liberating to just have fun with your art.  When you're having fun with your art, you will allow that which is within you the freedom to come out in your art.

Cute little blue bird

I did another version of this blue bird earlier today.  To qualify for a challenge, I digitally enhanced the frame to pull in the purple.  Love the way it turned out.  The challenge required three colors: yellow, lilac and peacock.

Peacock Tag

                                                  Peacock tag for a swap lottery over at PAO.

Bird

Have no idea what kind of bird this one is.  Just thought it was pretty and begged to be painted.

Enhanced Back to my roots

I took a photo of my sketch and enhanced it.  I think it turned out kinda cool!

Back to my roots

I was raised at the beach and around boats my entire life.  This reminds me of my childhood.

Amaryllis

I bought this Amaryllis last fall after it had already bloomed.  I had no idea what color the bloom would be, nor the size.  I think it's beautiful!

Ringed Kingfisher

Similar to Belted Kingfisher but larger, and with more chestnut on belly. Bushy crest and large, dagger-shaped bill. Blue-gray above, chestnut below with white collar. Female similar, but has gray band across upper breast.

Painted Bunting

With bright blue, green, and red plumage, the breeding male Painted Bunting is one of the continent's most gaudily colorful birds. The species breeds in two different populations, one in the south-central United States, and one along the seaboard of the southeastern states.

Scarlet Tanager

A striking black-winged red bird, the Scarlet Tanager is a common species of the eastern forest interior. Despite its brilliant coloring it is often overlooked because of its rather secretive behavior and its preference for the forest canopy.

Birdsong

I have no idea the name of this bird.  I found the original picture in a bird magazine.  I took a picture with my cell phone to remind me what it looked like because I knew that I had to paint it in watercolor.  I think it turned out great!  I'll keep looking and see if I can identify it. 

I finally identified this bird.  It is a Russett-crowned Motmot.  They live in Guatemala and Mexico. Coffee, grown in the traditional way and in the shade of native canopy trees, provides good habitat.

Lazuli Bunting

Trio

            Top Row: Cardinal, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
                  Bottom Row: Evening Grosbeak (Yellow Finch)

 I'm having such a wonderful time creating these beauties in watercolor.

Nuthatch

The Nuthatch is an interesting bird with a long, narrow beak.  Often perches upside down to eat.  Prefers suet, nuts and sunflower seeds.  These birds are fun to watch.  I have lots of them at the suet feeder.

Indigo Bunting

The Indigo Bunting is commonly known as a Blue Finch.  It is a small finch and is a rich deep blue all over.

The all-blue male Indigo Bunting sings with cheerful gusto and looks like a scrap of sky with wings. Sometimes nicknamed "blue canaries," these brilliantly colored yet common and widespread birds whistle their bouncy songs through the late spring and summer all over eastern North America. Look for Indigo Buntings in weedy fields and shrubby areas near trees, singing from dawn to dusk atop the tallest perch in sight or foraging for seeds and insects in low vegetation.