Black Raven in Charcoal

I attended a charcoal workshop at the Woodson Art Museum with Karen Bondarchuk, the Artist in Residence. I learned to loosen up and get really messy with charcoal and produce this striking raven below. We actually sketched using taxidermy ravens, crows and owls.  I enjoyed the process of sketching the bird first and then adding black charcoal from a huge stick of charcoal.  I was simply a mess by the end of my drawing, but I enjoyed it immensely!

My Hummingbirds Fly South!

I put two feeders out before leaving on vacation, since I knew my hummers would be leaving very soon and I did not want them to leave without being filled up & plump for their long journey south.  When we arrived home after 7 days, I hurried to my feeders and saw that only half of their sugar water was gone.  Yep, they had filled up and gone south while I was up north fishing!

I will miss my hummers, but I did this little watercolor of a male, however he left around a week or so earlier than the females.

A New Challenge!

I have decided to embark on a new journey today.  This journey is about water, paper, paint, ink, and of course, birds.  It's about taking the time to not only look at the birds around me, but to actually sketch them and observe their behavior.         

For my first post, I have attached a couple of sketches that I have made of my very special hummingbirds.  They will be leaving  my feeders soon to travel down south, so over the next few months I would like to sketch and paint them.  They are God's special little birds to me and speak volumes of God's love and care to me.  I would like to share all of that with you.  Enjoy the journey with me and please do comment whenever you like!

A Special Treat For My Birds!

I recently got this new owl suet feeder at "Wild Birds Unlimited" and placed it on a metal rod, coming out from our deck.  Come and see who is visiting and feasting on this delicious treat!!

Hmmm...this looks interesting!



Oh my....is this something I can eat?

My First Hummingbird Photo!

I was finally able to capture this ruby-throated hummingbird sipping some nectar at my feeder.  He is quite thin, so I certainly hope he drinks his fill of sugar water daily. 

My Hummingbirds Have Arrived !

Even though the day turned out to be rainy and cold, this morning at around 9:00 a.m. a single hummingbird landed at this feeder on my deck.  However, I was not quick enough to capture him for this posting, but I certainly will when he returns!

My Red Visitors!

When I saw this georgeous Cardinal land on my deck and begin to feast on the seeds that had fallen to the ground, I was excited to capture him on film.  He certainly brightened up my day!