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.

Thanks for visiting.

A Beautiful World Green

Do-Something-Everyday, July 17, 2016

This week's theme is Green at Our Beautiful World Photography Challenge. Green is color, of course. In painting, green is a secondary color that can be created by mixing yellow and blue. Green also means someone inexperienced or  someone who cares about environment or someone who is envious of something. Then there are fictional characters that are famously green  (Kermit the frog and Incredible Hulk).

Today, I am focusing on green as in nature. All the photos shown here are of my front yard on a very hot summer day. Enjoy.

Thanks for visiting. Linked to Our Beautiful World and Image-in-ing.

A is for Artist

Do-Something-Everyday, July 12, 2016

It is letter A in ABC Wednesday, Round 19 challenge. My word for letter A is Artist which I aspire to be. I create art everyday and I hope that my artistic creations will get attention and acclamation.

Thanks for visiting. All the paintings are inspired by the plants and flowers in my garden.

Speaking of acclamation, my yoga art was published in the July issue of Uppercase magazine.

Linked to ABC Wednesday; Art Journal Journey and Paint Party Friday.

Play

Do-Something-Everyday, July 10, 2016

There is something completely refreshing watching birds play. Backyard birds in action.

Linked to Our Beautiful World and Image-in-ing.

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.

Thanks for visiting.

Bits 'n' Pieces

Do-Something-Everyday, July 3, 2016

Bits and pieces of backyard detritus and painted rocks. Linked to Our Beautiful World this week's theme Bits 'n' Pieces. 

Also linked to Image-in-ing.

Twenty Shades of Robin

Do-Something-Everyday, June 30, 2016

Ball pen sketches from observations of a couple of robins in the backyard. They stayed perched on a tree stump for several minutes and were so close to where I was standing with my camera that I could not resist taking several pictures. Seeing their many expressions, I had to sketch them. I am planning to rework them into a more formal drawing/painting at some point.

Linked to Paint Party Friday. Thanks for Kristin and Eve for hosting.