B is For Backyard Birds

Do-Something-Everyday,July 18, 2016

It is letter B at ABC of Wednesday. Mine is an alliteration---Backyard Birds. It is another hot and humid summer season here in the Garden State. But the perennials are blooming and attracting their share of birds, bees and the butterflies. Last week I saw a lovely American goldfinch (New Jersey's state bird) perched on a seed head of a huge purple coneflower. I watched it through the window. Later on, I did a watercolor version of it (last photo below). That was not enough for me. I drew it on wood using a wood-burning tool (below). Finally, I created a  paper-cut version of it (above). Each one was challenging in its own way but I like all of them.

Linked to ABC Wednesday and Art Journal Journey.

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In my Garden There are Birds and Flowers

Do-Something-Everyday, July 4, 2016

Happy 4th of July to all my US readers. It is a glorious summer day and the day lilies, rudbeckias and echinacea  are in full bloom. A couple of days ago, I spotted a goldfinch (also the state bird of New Jersey where I live) flew in and perched on top of the seed head of an echinacea . I did not take a photo but decided to capture it on paper. While I was painting a charming scene, I remembered Fabritius' chained Goldfinch. I have only a seen a photo of it but in Donna Tartt's novel The Goldfinch (which I have read) it is a major character that drives the story. Have any of you seen the actual painting or read the book? The book won the Pulitzer prize but I found it to be overlong and overwritten. The most compelling part is first section of the book and the most tedious is the last one.

Linked to Art Journal Journey July challenge.

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