The house sparrow is everywhere and available to paint its image on location. This female posed for me in Texas. The yellow markings dictated the blue complimentary background and repeating the yellow.

First redpoll of the year at my feeder and her friends in the winter trees. Simple brushstrokes and setting the bird in context replicates the feel of the redpoll as well as the sight of the bird.
Habitats are the connections we feel and what makes a great work of art-how everything is interlaced. This branch is in front and behind and is embracing her. The cold white paper-winter-is at bay!

This watercolor started as my demo for my class, "Painting Connections-Painting Habitats" at the NH State Arts Education Conference.
My goal was to show a micro-habitat which included one branch from an oak tree. Participants were shown how complimentary colors work as a pair and create space between two leaves.
Its not important to show every edge because our imaginations kick in and fill the spaces with our knowledge of habitats. I added the nuthatch this morning after watching who came to my feeder.

"Goldeneyes" watercolor 4"x 6" $65

Birds hang out all year in pretty cold climates especially ducks. Note the underpainting in the dark areas which gives life to the birds. Follow my second blog: www.paintinghabitats.blogspot.com
and learn more about how to paint what is surrounding your center of interest. I want to paint the whole habitat without the birds being overly prominent, just like they occur in nature.

On a lazy summer day in Vermont I was painting with my granddaughter. The closest bird was this gull waiting for food. Her painting of this gull was influenced by mine and I noticed she was less creative(honest to her view?) by painting with me.
She needs no lesson on painting-just materials!

I painted this image after I saw this barn owl take flight in front of me. I was walking with other hikers at Pt Reyes National Seashore. It was the second barn owl I saw in two days. I was at the lifeboat station teaching an en plein air painting class on a beautiful weekend for outdoor painting. I will be on hand to discuss the history of American landscape painting and National Parks, for pt Reyes' 50th anniversary, Sept 22, 2012

This yellow headed blackbird was brilliant yellow. It sat on a Wyoming fence post.  I had to stop my car to take a longer look. Painting yellow without purples will never seem as bold. Edgar Payne said that paint colors are 400 times less intense than nature's colors. 

"Cactus Wren" watercolor 4"x6"

I observed this cactus wren go into its nest-in a side opening.
Actually, I saw both the male and female at the nest during a full hour observing the nest. This watercolor is a composite of the desert plants. Cactus wrens nest in Cholla but surrounding all this are the imposing Saguaro.
What makes us see a bird and see a nest? It takes time to follow the flight pattern, and awareness. The nest was the same color as the birds and the Cholla!
I will teach the art of SUMI-E brush painting at Pt Reyes(.org)
To know nature is through painting esthetic values (in black inks):
 WABI  (subtle taste)

SABI (elegant simplicity)

Color adds joy!

Christmas Bird Count Journal 2011