A large yellow sign that reads duck crossing stands on the edge of a busy road near Rochester, N.Y. It is a phenomenon to watch. At any given time several families of geese can decide to stroll to the other side. Several minutes can go by before the last goose has safely crossed. They bring lines of cars to a standing halt. No one honks a horn, no one yells, no one pushes forward, no one interrupts the family of geese. The drivers in their cars have slowed down and enjoyed the parade.
This is a drawing of a female Cardinal I did recently. She appears to be making a nest in a backyard in my neighborhood, often she stops by to say hello. Using pen, ink and watercolor I was able to capture one of her moods as she stood close by, it is always exciting to catch her appearance and draw her.
Today I am sharing my words thru my paintbrush and paint.
In Flight is a watercolor that I painted that has since sold. All of my work at this time is one of a kind. I wanted to create another similar piece from this but I have found it to be unlikely to happen. An original is just that. I am reminded by this observation how fragile life is. We can not recreate much of anything. Our words and actions are one of a kind originals, which is something I think is worth pondering.
Last weekend I saw an owl on display and decided to make him the subject of my next drawing. After doing some research I was amazed to find out that owls are one of the few species that eat skunks. Whole skunks! Wow!!!! that is quite an appetite. ©2014BarbaraGurryrowell
When I visited this Raven at the Grand Canyon I did not know how he differed from his friend the Crow. After watching and researching I found there wasn’t much difference. Because drawing was my priority, what I choose to retain was the Raven has a larger beak and the sound that she makes is a Kraaa rather than a caw.
©Barbara Gurry Rowell
Yesterday, I was able to finish my Flamingo. The source of my portrait comes from my observation of Lucy, who has lived at Sunken Gardens near my home since 1956. She is a treasure to the garden, where currently a fundraiser is going on to purchase more Flamingos once she reaches her 50 year, or so, life expectancy.
©BarbaraGurryRowell
I recently read it is the 100 year anniversary of the extinction of the messenger pigeon, the last being Martha who died in 1914. I am usually annoyed by the pigeons or doves that hang out in groups. It is hard to tell who is who. They leave white gobs on my side-walk and coooooooooo, which wears on my patience. However, finding more out about Martha led me to re-evaluate my opinion. Today I stopped to look closer and listen differently to her distant relatives.
Today as the sun was rising I caught a glimpse of a sweet small bird hiding in a tree. Her stillness and demure prompted me to bring my pencil to paper and draw. I caught only a minute of her before she flew away and left me on my own to finish. I thought to myself sometimes we just don’t want to be seen.
This morning while sitting outside with coffee and sketch book in hand I heard a tweet. Tweet, tweet and then again another tweet. For the longest time I watched and waited to see who would claim this sweet entertaining sound and then it was gone. I detached and stopped looking and just as I did a beautiful hummingbird flew in front of me tweeting me a song. It happened so quick that my drawing is from memory only.