New gouache painting
Bellflower
Capturing the Valley
I think a photography post is overdue.
My valley…
Painting Gray Catbird
This painting was fun to work on, as this guy has become one of my favorite birds here. The Gray Catbird migrates to SW Wisconsin every spring, and our property has become a favorite hangout of theirs. Dark gray in color, they are easy to miss among the more colorful bird species, but if you take the time to watch and listen, you’ll find they make up for it in character. Their characteristic “cat-like” call is where they get their namesake, and while walking through the woods, or even down my drive, I always know where to spot them because I can hear them first. And if you ever get the opportunity to observe one up close, the subtleties in their color are a beautiful understatement, and they might just have a berry in their mouth!
Drawing From Inspiration
The Porcupine Mountains in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is on the top of my list for favorite back country spots. It’s provided me with some spectacular photos (and memories), and so I thought I would honor this cherished spot with some inspired artwork.
This is just a start…
PS. I’m planning more “Porcupine inspired” pen drawings and also paintings in the near future as well.
Jack in the Pulpit
Finding these beauties growing in my woods.
Spring in the Woods
The Bard of Boscobel Woods
In medieval Gaelic and British culture, a bard was a professional story teller, verse-maker, poet, and music composer…
In my woods, I have my very own story teller, a Barred Owl, whose calls I can hear across the valley on a quiet evening.
Spring Morning in the Valley
A night of heavy rains and morning in the hollow was humming. The fog hung in the valley pocket as the sun began to rise over the bluff. Songbirds flitted about the treetops, and as I watched, the Sandhill Cranes flew through, silhouetted by the morning mist, adding the exclamation mark to the scene.
April Snow + Creative Inspiration
If there has to be a silver lining to our third snowstorm in April, it’s that we see more birds at the feeder and it begets some wonderful creative inspiration. A couple days ago I counted 13 different bird species at the feeder. And because I feel so sorry for all the poor migratory birds, I keep refilling it and attract more. So, i’m pretty sure we’ve fed all the songbirds in the valley now. And one Eastern Cottontail.
As a side note, I put dried cranberries out for the robins and they pretty much flipped me off and dug holes through the strip of snow-free mulch around the house instead. WormsTasteBetter!
A Midwest Spring Snow Shower
Welcome!
Welcome to my world in the woods! This is simply a place where I can put “pen to paper” my creative whims and musings. You can learn more about my inspiration here.
Thanks for stopping by,
Kelly
