Mockingbirds Song

Mockingbirds Song 48x48in Oil on Board

Last spring while out in my backyard I heard the most amazing demonstration of bird song in my life and it made a profound effect on me. For 30 minutes I stood transfixed while this bird sang its heart out, singing two measures and then two more, all completely different and continuously until it flew off.  I noticed that it wasn't a particularly pretty bird, proving that you can't judge a bird by its plumage! Its turns out that it was a mockingbird and I am crossing my fingers that I will hear it again this spring. I'll always remember the details off that evening, things like the light, temperature, the intoxicating scent of the lilacs and wolf willow and all the other sounds permeating my part of the world in those moments.

Awaiting spring

A watercolour painting of a sentiment about spring like conditions that have not as of yet arrived in my part of the world.  I remember the soft pastel shades of new and old growth mixed together and the moisture laden air with peppery scents of new leaves and the excited songs of newly arrived birds.  Ah, it won't be long now!

A pastel

Radiant Morning Pastel 9 1/2 x 12

I drew this pastel over a year ago and discovered it hidden away in one of my portfolios so I thought I'd share it. Its based on a little grove of trees down the road from my home. I kind of pushed the colour abit, by hey, its my world!