A nest in the west – Illo Friday Spring
For more current spring paintings from my journals … click here .
Last springtime, a finch family came looking for nesting quarters and decided that the eaves were not nearly as hospitable as one of my hanging Boston ferns. I saw the frantic search for twigs and grasses, the constant flying to and fro of the parents and before long I had a good idea that there were little ones on the way. One day when both parents were out looking for food I hurriedly took the basket down for a look (camera at the ready.) I took a picture that was the inspiration for this painting and quickly put the hanging nursery back where I found it. (There would be no drawing or painting from life for this one.) Eventually two sisters and a brother hatched, fledged, and grew to lead successful independent lives of their own. When I see finches returning in the spring I always wonder if they’re members of the same family.
Arty bits: Painted in gouache in a Moleskine sketchbook
shelly mcc
March 29, 2006
Lovely, This is a sweet picture.
Robyn
March 29, 2006
I have never used gouache. Can you give me some clues about how to use it and how it behaves, please?
Love your painting. Looks like it came out of one of those lovely English country books.
endment
March 29, 2006
Delightfull illustration!
Jean Mikulla
March 29, 2006
This is such a beautiful painting. It reminds me of those Hallmark cards done by artist Marjolein Bastin, except yours is nicer. Jean
Hanna
March 29, 2006
Love this picture, so serene and beautful!
Deb
March 29, 2006
This is beautiful. Your calligraphy is awesome too.
Lin
March 29, 2006
LOVELY, Karen — and so reminds me of the German (?) watercolorist – Bastein or something like that!! I LOVE her work — and YOURS!
hfm
March 29, 2006
So tender.
Ulla
March 29, 2006
Somehow just discovered your blog, this is wonderful. Thank you.
Sioux
March 29, 2006
Oh, Karen, this is truly lovely. Love the words you put with it, as well. Your work is stunning.
melissa w
March 29, 2006
This is a really sweet illustration. It has such warmth.
chompo blogger
March 29, 2006
Hi Karen,
That is a delightful nest and composition. Just yesterday I saw a cupcake decorated with a similar nest of cocoa dusted coconut shreds and sweet blue dollops of frosting.
Enjoying your other watercolor studies, too!
clare
March 29, 2006
Karen I have had such a great time wandering around your blog this morning. I hope you don’t mind if I blame you for my lack of
housework and very late dinners!!!???
alison
March 29, 2006
A very pleasing drawing and I love the caption. Alison in Canberra
TeriC
March 31, 2006
Karen, It’s perfect for spring and personal enjoyment!
Willie
March 31, 2006
Great idea!
gudbrandsdottir
April 1, 2006
Just a perfect take on the topic!
Great work!
carla
April 1, 2006
Most certainly a depiction of ne of the nicest rites of spring! I love the rendering of the nest…I feel as if I could touch each piece of straw and twig!
Pati @-;--
April 1, 2006
Awwww! love this. Congrats to the Finch family 😉
georg
April 2, 2006
Maybee it’s really family – many birds return to the same place as last year, fantastic thet they can find the way! And wonderful to hear that spring’s just in the neighbourhood now. Lovely nest, great idea.
tammy hanna
April 2, 2006
Love the colour of the eggs, perfect.
Aravis
April 3, 2006
The way you’ve so realistically captured the nest and eggs is stunning. :0)
Felicity
April 20, 2006
Lovely! I’ve just seen this on the Drawing Club (how did I miss it the first time?) I always wonder if the birds returning are of the same family too.