Small, but with lots of attitude

These little characters (quail) are living in my garden, not sure how many are in the clutch. They are speedy! Papa is on the watch sitting all around the garden on the tomato trellis, by the sweet peas and atop the beans. They have also eaten all the baby greens as they sprout, round 3 is covered in remay.

They are such "attitudy" birds. And since you rarely see one alone.....

Home

Home

We are feeding the birds and they are filling our garden with activity, such a delight! Feels good to be painting a little after busy time at work, cooking, visiting and resting nothing too tasking....ah holidays.

Looking at seed catalogues as well the new year begins. 

Wishing everyone a joyful and restful Christmas.

Puppet Play & Halloween

Blue Jay because they are all around at the moment, beautiful but irritating! They chase the little birds away and can finish off a suet feeder in no time. 

Playing with backgrounds.....What do you think?

Puppet Play for Illustration Friday puppet challenge

 

 Brave Little Witch with her fearsome cat for Halloween :)

Urban Chicks

A trio of urban chicks. First there had been the expedition for shoes what might come next? Imagine all those little heels clicking.....

For Illustration Friday challenge Urban and Paint party Friday inspiration run amok !!!!

Glow - Kiss and all aglow! and Creative Tuesdays

 

A kiss from you and I am all aglow.

  Sarah Harmer song with thoughts of you.

I love this song, 1st day of holidays lots of visiting, cooking and painting coming up.

 

Christmas Wishes all around, with thanks for all the encouraging comments through out the year. May you have good health, joy and happiness all through the new year. A thrush in a pear tree?

Tribute to a winter beauty

 

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 A little softer colour, which one do you think works best?

 I found this thrush when we got home today she had hit the window and died. She was so beautiful that I had to try to capture her.

 The dried grasses and lichen branches are really standing out in the grey landscape right now and the birds colours pop in contrast.

 I'm not sure if I prefer the richer colours or the softer palette.

Crooked Crows Challenges met and Creative Tuesdays!

There was a crooked crow

Who found a crooked twig

He flew a crooked mile

To his crooked nest so big!

For many art challenges. I am constantly pushing myself because of these prompts. It would be very easy some weeks to let things slide. Thank you to all the sites that are out there that give up the "push" :)

On my desk

 Watercolors on my desk that were then added to and digitally collaged into spring flowers

and into flirting crows.
I thought I had a really tidy desk but on closer look I notice all the little messes.

Return to me

 Return to me called Ms Quail to Mr Quail as he set off.....

The quail have been busy in the garden, they don't seem to mind the constant rain. I'm undecided on the background? What do you think? I quite like the clean white :) The first stages or this here and here

Four calling birds

Almost the last of Christmas season, with four calling birds. More like 3 tweeters and one squawker! Thinking we might miss winter here we were out gardening yesterday we have calendula and borage in bloom :)

For Creative Tuesday 12 days of Christmas.

A little bird told me so.....

The message was to wear a red Christmas dress, the messenger was a little bird, he told me so.
What a party it was all those red Christmas dresses!

Well Fred was a busy bird he spread the message. All those wearing red turned up, the music was great. Wonderful dancing, great party!

Some Christmas color for illustration friday messenger challenge, paint party friday and Artists in blogland.

Sisters Always: Together or Separated

Recalling winter walking, each snow fall no matter how old she gets she remembers that walk with her older sister.

Even though they are separated by a continent they will always be sisters.

Family ties that connect us to our siblings, especially at Christmas.

Another version is here.

For illustration friday separate challenge.
Also Artists in Blogland and Sunday Sketches

Garden visitor

A wee garden visitor. The chickadees are looking for fuel these days, the garden is fading but the birds seem to be arriving in droves.
Taking part in Art Everyday challenge this month, plus  the PiBoIdMo challenge 30 picture book ideas in 30 days!!!

The chickadees seem to be looking for suet, the quail family is present as well, the babies the same size as the parents. Add Artists in Blogland as well

True love, a few scattered thoughts and more.

 She was in love, her thoughts were scattered she smiled nodded and was extremely happy!
Inspiration Avenue what inspires you.
Paint Party Friday check in as well.

Seed enablers, dandelions spread with the assistance of young child, bird and every little breeze.
I am trying to cultivate a taste for the leaves (a little bitter added to salad) But like most weeds they grow better than anything else.
Artist in Blogland & Three Muses a bit of home sweet home, these paintings are based on images of my children at different ages, so all very close to home.
A little Web of Whimsy as well.

Owl

 At twilight the owls land in the huge oak tree that stands right over our house, the first time I heard them I was sure it was a rowdy drunk rolling down the hill. Or a group of partying teens, the screeching and carrying on! Then I realized it was a pair or rowdy owls! ;-)


Paint Party Friday & challenge of painting,
Inspiration Avenue challenge with owls.