While birding in northwest Ohio last May on a windy, frigid morning, we came across a mixed flock of Barn Swallows and Tree Swallows searching the limestone cobbles of a breakwall for insects to eat. I had never seen that … Continued
I took reference photos of these barn swallows on the Marsh Boardwalk at Point Pelee National Park in Ontario. The swallows kept landing on this particular stick, and they were pretty much oblivious to my standing very close with the camera. … Continued
I took reference photos for this Ruddy Turnstone along the causeway parks on the way to Sanibel Island in Florida. I’ve been to the Gulf Coast numerous times over the years, but I’m not great with shorebirds and learn a … Continued
I sure love Brown Creepers! I love the musical, super-high, piccolo-like calls that help alert you to their presence. Without that call they’d be extremely easy to overlook. They are small and cryptically colored, blending right in with the tree … Continued
I seldom render birds face on because they can look strange or grumpy. At the same time, why not do something out of the ordinary?
Golden-crowned Kinglets are powerfully cute, so this transparent watercolor painting was great fun to complete. In our house family members tend to get distracted by birds in the yard. That is a hazard—and benefit—of homeschooling the kids. It’s also probably one reason why our … Continued
I used to do a lot of larger watercolors, usually in the 18 x 24-inch format but once working 18 x 72 inches! Later I switched to smaller pieces, when we had kids. My theory was that it would allow me … Continued
Everyone seems to like cardinals. I think the only time I wasn’t happy to see one was when I was birding in Hawaii, where they are an invasive species. This was an unusual painting for me. Anyone looking at my portfolio … Continued
“My name is Matt, and I like Jumping Spiders.” Typically when people see my photos, sketches or paintings of jumping spiders, I hear the same things: “Yuck!” “The only place I want to see that is on the bottom of my … Continued
Back to the drafting table! This is a small 7 x 10-inch transparent watercolor of a female Black-throated Blue Warbler. I’ve painted a male before; those bright colors were asking for it. The females, while drab in comparison, are still … Continued