In Troubled Times

 "In these troubled times, even more than ever, we need an affirmation

that there is goodness and beauty in the world." ~ Bob Benson

Day 22 ~ SE-22-25

Has Momma Blue Chosen You?

"I am certain that once bluebirds have ‘chosen you’,

you are now responsible for trying to help them."

~ Julie Carney

'Momma Blue' Day 21 ~ SE-21-25

Bluebird Conservation

"Bluebird conservation offers an unusual opportunity for people who are truly concerned about our wildlife heritage to accomplish something by means of direct action. ~ Larry Zeleny, The Bluebird, How You Can Help Its Fight for Survival, 1976

Day 20 ~ SE-20-25

Nurturing Beautiful Animals

 "Because the bluebird is beautiful and readily accepts the help of humans, and because people love to nurture beautiful animals, especially those that are endearing, a strong natural bond is forged between man and the bluebird at the nest box. In many cases, that relationship not only lasts a lifetime but also grows into a greater awareness of the plight of all wild animals and the plant kingdom on which all animals depend." ~ Gary Springer

Day 19 ~ SE-19-25

Lots Of Begging

There is a whole lot of begging going on in the natural world right now.

“Many bird species are seeing their babies leave the nest, but that does not mean their parental duties are over. The fledged chicks are flying about, but they still rely on their parents for food.” ~ J. Switzer 

Day 18 ~ SE-18-25

I'm Hungry, Dad!

 “Baby birds are everywhere you look begging for food. The parents will continue to feed them until the babies have learned to feed themselves.” ~ J. Switzer  

'I'm Hungry, Dad' 

 Day 17 ~ SE-17-25 

Where Power Moves

 Life is a Circle

By Black Elk

Oglala Sioux Medicine Man

1863 - 1950

Day 16 ~ SE-16-25

Everything the power
of the world does,

is done in a circle.

The sky is round

and I have heard that

the earth is round like a ball,

and so are all the stars.

The wind in its' greatest power whirls.

Birds make their nests in circles;

for their's is the same religion as ours.

The sun comes forth and

goes down again in a circle.

The moon does the same

and both are round.

Even the seasons form a great

circle in their changing

and always come back

to where they were.

The life of a man is a circle,

from childhood to childhood

And so it is with everything

where power moves.

They Have Fledged!

"When nature made the bluebird, she wished to propitiate both the sky and the earth, so she gave them the color of the one on their back and the hue of the other on their breast." ~ John Burroughs  This morning, a vulture was on our bluebird house with two more nearby. My heart sank as I feared the worst. All morning, I watched the parents fly around the field with binoculars, but none went to the opening in the house, as they had been doing about every 5 minutes for the past 10 days. I knew the babies were about to fledge, so I kept my fingers crossed that all went well. Later, Jerry and I went out to check, and all five were gone! They have fledged successfully, and I am thrilled! 

Day 15 ~ SE 15-25

Mindful Repetition

"Satisfaction lies in mindful repetition, 

the discovery of endless richness in subtle 

variations on familiar themes." 

~ George B. Leonar

"Repetition is the mother of study." ~ Latin proverb

The Beauty Of Repetition

"I believe that the beauty of repetition is 

something that is not explored enough yet." 

~ Keren Ann

 

  

"Repetition is important in the training 

not only of animals but also of humans." 

~ Yann Martel

Of Sky And Earth

"When nature made the blue-bird she wished to 

propitiate both the sky and the earth,
so she gave him the color of the one on his back 

and the hue of the other on his breast."
~ John Burroughs

"There is always more to be found 

by exploring the same subject again and again." 

~ Dion Archibald

Got The Blues?

"There ain't no cure for the summer time blues."

 ~ The Who

Meet my newest models; a bevy of bluebirds. All the same shape but all in different poses.

Some ¼ turn, 2 minute sketches of the one on the right.

Detail of one sketch with a tonal watercolor wash applied.

I hope the bluebird of happiness visits you today!

Happy Creating My Friends!

X ♥  O

 

Learning To Draw

"You learn to draw by drawing." 

~ Mick Masle

Buck Jackson came over today for a 3 hr. drawing session.

We reviewed and executed several exercises from Betty Edwards' book,

 "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain". We explored face vases, upside down drawing

and 2 minute gesture drawing with watercolor wash applied. I hope Buck posts

some of her drawings on the DE facebook group. She's a quick study and not afraid of practice.

"To gain confidence, constant practice is essential. Just as a musician needs to practice regularly to retain his touch, the artist needs to be constantly in touch with the medium." ~ R. Lovett