Ruby-throated Hummingbird Hat (sheet craft foam, hot glue, acrylic paint)
A friend recently asked, “So, what did you do at work this week?” And I replied, “Uh, this is going to sound weird. I made a hat shaped like a hummingbird.” I’ve made a bunch of these hats for our kids … Continued
Raising Art from the Ashes… Trumpets
Having spent more than 22 years as a professional illustrator, I’ve worked on a considerable number of projects using a wide variety of styles. Stylistically I gravitate towards a particular look, rendering pieces with an abundance of detail, saturated colors and plenty of contrast. I’ve been called … Continued
King Vulture 7×10-inch Transparent Watercolor Painting and Time-lapse Video
I finally got around to painting a King Vulture. (!) I’ve been fascinated by these birds for a long time, and this one presented a great challenge for watercolor. Its textures are tremendously varied: glassy eyes, shiny beaks, fluffy feathers, bristly hair-like feathers, wrinkly … Continued
Mourning Dove 7×10-inch Transparent Watercolor Painting and Time-lapse Video
I often paint things in the “wrong” season. I have to admit it’s a bit odd to be painting an icy cold winter scene of a Mourning Dove when it’s over 90º F outside. Maybe it’s better? It’s certainly easier to be … Continued
Mourning Dove Pencil Sketch p71
For some reason it took me a long time to get around to sketching a Mourning Dove. I really love these birds. You seem to find them everywhere, and everyone seems familiar with their plaintive “coo” call. When I was a … Continued
Blue Dasher Dragonfly (5×7-inch Transparent Watercolor): Throwback Thursday
Summer is a great time for dragonflies, damselflies and painting! In my opinion insects really lend themselves well to the small 5×7-inch format. A few years ago I had a lot of fun painting several Odes, the nickname for Odonata, which is the … Continued
Male White-throated Sparrow Painting: Transparent Watercolor & Time-lapse Video
I think that I last painted one of these when I was about 12. It has been on my “To Do” list for quite a while because they are such charming birds. I look forward to the White-throated Sparrows return every spring. … Continued
Female Black-throated Blue Warbler Pencil Sketch p70
Black-throated Blue Warblers are gorgeous birds. As is typical with most birds, the males are the the real show-stoppers, with these boasting stark white, deep black and bright blue. The females are fairly drab by comparison, but like Wood Ducks, once … Continued
May Birding Trips
I never get much painting done in May. With so many spring migrants moving through Michigan, we spend all of our spare time looking for birds. We did a few quick trips to Ottawa NWR and Magee Marsh Wildlife Area (aka Crane Creek) … Continued
Male Dark Phase Dimorphic Jumping Spider p69
This Spring has been great in Michigan. Our family keeps a running yard list of new migrants as they arrive. We also keep our eyes peeled for other early migrants and animals coming out of hibernation, like snakes, frogs, toads and … Continued