Plum-colored Starling (Violet-backed Starling) Transparent Watercolor and Ink

This bird is a great example of why they use scientific names with a genus and species. It has at least three common names: Violet-backed Starling, Plum-colored Starling and Amethyst Starling. Granted, they are pretty spectacular, so maybe one name … Continued

Red Squirrel Transparent Watercolor Painting and Time Lapse

posted in: Finished Paintings, time lapse | 0

Red squirrels are just about as cute as it gets for common rodents. Ok, flying squirrels are cuter, but they don’t qualify as common here in central Michigan. When choosing what to draw and paint, I usually follow whatever has my … Continued

Dunlin Transparent Watercolor Painting and Time Lapse

posted in: Finished Paintings, time lapse | 0

Because of Christmas, New Year’s, two family birthdays and a road trip all within a month’s time, I’m way behind on posting artwork. A Winter Dunlin is the subject of this recent watercolor painting, and it presented a good set of challenges. Here in … Continued

Yellow-crowned Night Heron Transparent Watercolor

posted in: Finished Paintings, time lapse | 2

I haven’t done a straight “bird portrait” in a while. Instead, I’ve been painting entire birds—each with a portion of its environment serving as part of the subject. I used to paint portraits regularly, but I think they work best on … Continued

Winter Black-bellied Plover Pencil Sketch, Watercolor and Time Lapse

This watercolor painting and pencil sketch of a Black-bellied Plover are from the stockpile of photos taken on last year’s trip to Florida with my brother Ted. The drawing is p84 from the sketchbook. I’m getting dangerously close to finishing … Continued

Winter Willet Pencil Sketch p83

posted in: Sketchbook, Sketches | 0

I saw my first Willet thanks to my friend Don Brown. While living in New Jersey years ago, I drove out to Jones Beach, Long Island, to go birding with him. Jones Beach is known for great winter birds, and … Continued

Winter Willet Transparent Watercolor

posted in: Finished Paintings, time lapse | 0

I love birds but have a definite weak spot in my life list when it comes to shorebirds. Having lived mostly inland, far away from the coast, I’ve missed out on seeing many of these birds. I enjoy watching them and learning … Continued

Yellow-crowned Night Heron Pencil Sketch p81

posted in: Sketchbook, Sketches | 0

Night-herons are undeniably neat creatures. I first came across them during trips to Florida when I was a grad student and assisting with a course called Ecology of the Everglades. I had a tough time picking which I liked better, the Yellow-crowned or Black-crowned. Typically, the … Continued

Crazy Horse Transparent Watercolor

While doodling around one day I started a sea horse drawing. With these caricatures I’m always anthropomorphizing. It seems to me that seahorses are always portrayed as beautiful and classy creatures. Why should they get all the glory? Come on… I’m sure there are … Continued