For #DrawABirdDay this month, I decided to paint a Hummingbird – the smallest bird of all.
I adore the sweet little hummers that visit our backyard every summer.
I take special care to assure their feeder is full of fresh nectar each week as I know they count on and need it to support their ultra-fast metabolism. I have read that their heart rate can reach as high as 1,260 beats per minute, and they have a breathing rate of 250 beats per minute, even at rest. During flight, oxygen consumption per gram of muscle tissue is about ten times higher than that measured in elite human athletes.
Amazingly, these tiny birds fly all the way from Mars, PA to Mexico, the Caribbean Islands or Central America every winter and return each Spring.
After I painted this, I realized I had painted one about a year ago, shortly after I took up watercolor. I recall thinking my hummer was one of my best paintings I had done at the time as I had only been painting for a few months. Looking back, I still like it, and I am also surprised at how different the two look. I can’t decide which I like better. I question if my art has even improved over the past year.
One thing is for sure, the splatter is one thing I have always loved! 🙂 I believe my strokes are more confident, my use of white space more defined, and my splatters a bit more refined and controlled.
Another thing I know for sure…. I am having FUN! Painting to me is relaxing. It is a way to unwind after a stressful workday or energize an early morning.
If you have ever thought about giving watercolor or any kind of painting a try, DO IT! Discover that inner artist just bursting to express your individual creativity. You will never have a dull, boring moment again in your life. You will always have something fun to do. You will always have a way to express yourself. You will always be able to create something beautiful to someone.
Happy #WorldWatercolorMonth!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
I can’t decide either. This one is open and clean, which seems perfect for this hot humidity. A breath of fresh air! (K)
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yes – they are so different. would you know it is the same artist if you didn’t know??? hmmm…… not sure….. lol
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That’s OK. In fact it’s good not to stay in the same place all the time.
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you always have something positive to say 🙂
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Goos advice you give here, always a brush in the mouth… I like the first one better.
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lol – thanks for having an opinion 🙂
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Beautiful hummingbird, Jodi! I love it! You absolutely are getting better at your painting! I also think your confidence is shining through in your paintings. Hummingbirds are my favorite birds!
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Thanks PJ! I do feel more confident in my strokes – not sure it always shows or that I am always confident, but I felt like it in this one. Though I’m not sure I love this. anyway – lol! It was fun 🙂
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That’s the main thing – having fun!
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🙂
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I can’t decide which I like best, Jodi, your painting or your words! I hope people will be inspired to pick up a brush after seeing your beautiful colors and joyful splatters. How could they not?! I looked back at your prior hummer too and I can’t choose a favorite. They are IMO apples and oranges. The first is more realistic in its colors, while this one feels more abstract and illustrative with the beautiful orange worked in. Two totally different approaches to your subject, and both beautiful! I went through a similar comparison with my pear painting……I actually think I liked last year’s pear better and then wondered if I’ve improved too. I think it’s a path that winds and goes up and down hills and our preferences change, papers, brushes, we pick up things here and there or maybe we just saw a technique that is showing up now that wouldn’t have shown up then. There was more of an abstract feel to my second pear too. Interesting, as I’m picking up the abstract more in your second hummer! Abstracts make me so much happier than anything I try to do realistically. I think you’ve found a wonderful style that’s really pleasing and you’re definitely inspiring others to paint too, even selling your work, which is pretty cool all on its own! I don’t know if I’m making any sense, but I really like both birds, I just think they’re very different. This one has spare brush strokes, which I think is harder to do and very beautiful. I can’t choose! Happy Friday and please post a link to your artwork in my comments when you get a chance. Makes the roundup a lot easier. Thanks! 💜
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Oh goodness gracious sista – we do think so alike some times!!!! LOL! I had this same conversation in MY head! 🙂 I TOTALLY get you Loo! Do you think one or the other defines my “style” more 🙂 I just so appreciate your insight….. Mwah! xo
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I think our styles evolve over time. Who would have thought last July when I was doing realistic WC pretty much daily that I’d be doing mainly abstracts a year later. In grid composition. I don’t think any one of us really knows where the road goes. What do you think? Which feels more like you to you?
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That is a good point – AND whether it is a realistic WC or abstract acrylic grid – I ALWAYS know it’s a Laura Loo!
I cannot really say that one or the other of mine feels more like me – I really can’t – I guess that is why I asked – but if I cannot feel it – how could I expect anyone else??!! 🙂
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Lol! 🎨😎😱🌻❤️
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Very sweet little bird Jodi. Your talent always shines through!
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You are so sweet to say that, Frances. Thank you! from the bottom of my heart ❤
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Jodi, I love your hummingbird! Up here there’s a trend of painting parties or classes where an instructor teaches a group how to paint a certain scene and you either BYOB or there’s a cash bar. Do you have those events where you are? I want to go but if I have a glass or two of wine, I can’t imagine what the painting will look like!
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Thanks Mary! We have those here too – but they are usually acrylic not watercolor. I’ve done one, and it is a TON OF FUN! And painting get better with wine LOL – so go for it!!!! 🙂
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If I get a chance, I will! I’ll let you know!😊
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You and Laura are thinking alike today. I just commented on her post, and now I will say the same thing to you – amazing! And i love the splatter 🙂
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Yes we are that Laura Loo my artinista sista! Hers is a STUNNNNNER!!!!
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We have lots of hummers in the desert too. Your painted lovely is stunning Jodi.
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Thanks Sharon – just a quick and simple one 🙂 But was trying to be deliberate with my strokes. Know what I mean? Oh to paint like you though!!! Sigh…. 🙂
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love love love
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thank you thank you thank you 🙂
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This is adorable Jodi! You have captured his spirit and personality! Wonderful words too! Paint away!!
Jenna
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Oh Jenna – thanks! 🙂
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Both hummingbirds are beautiful Jodi – always enjoy seeing the results of your talent. Have a great Friday! 🙂
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Gosh, I would so love to see a hummingbird! This is lovely.
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are there no hummingbirds in Ireland Lynda?
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No Jodi, sadly not. I believe there are none this side of the Atlantic but I could be wrong. The closest we have are Hummingbird moths which also fly backwards and are sometimes mistakenly reported as hummingbirds!
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Fortunately you have many other beautiful things that I long to someday see 🙂
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They’re both so different that you can enjoy each one individually…They’re both beautifully done Jodi 🙂
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I so appreciate your kindness 🙂
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I think both are beautiful in their own right and love the whimsy of this one. I enjoy seeing painted subjects approached in such different ways 🙂
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Thanks Carol. I think I lean to the new one too, but then……. LOL! 🙂 Appreciate your kind comment
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Such a gorgeous painting! Amazing birds Jodi!
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Thanks Lynn – do you get many hummingbirds on the palouse?
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I have not seen many and wish I would have some Jodi!
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I like both of your hummers, Jodi! And I’m glad you are still adding some splatters! 😊🎨❤️ I do see improvement in your art and you have more confidence. YAYZA!! You are trying subjects that stretch your abilities and you have an AWESOME color sense. Keep having FUNZA as this is what it is all about!! ROCK ON!!! 🎨🌟🌈🎉💐
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Thanks Jill – I sure wish I had more time to paint. Work has been very busy. I’m so glad to find the little time I do. And so glad to have an enjoyable hobby in art that relaxes me. 🙂 And artsy friends like you too!!!
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Is summer a busier time in your business, Jodi? 😊
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No – it just gets busier and busier because we are growing fast 🙂 Just merged with another company and doubled in size.
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Wow! Hope that is a good thing! 🙂
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Yep. Very good.
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I think I prefer your newer hummingbird, Jodi, but only because he looks friendly! 😀
Other than that, I can’t decide! Still like your style. 😀
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He does look pretty friendly – eh? I tend to believe all hummingbirds are friendly – but then what do I know?! LOL!
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I like them both, but for different reasons, I think re visiting paintings can be a great thing, but how they turn out is not always a reflection on improved ability( you already had that) it more shows a mood, and an emotion at the time of painting.❤️
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that is such a insightful way to look at it. That makes great sense Rebecca. Thank you for sharing that.
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I do like them both too Jodi! They are different from each other and yet each one has such a unique style, but both are equally a joy to look at. 🙂
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Everyone is just being nice I think 🙂 – I was looking for some real opinions – LOL! but then maybe I better not – eh?! I’ll stick with loving everyone for being so kind. ❤
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Hey I gave you my real opinion sweetie! The two styles are very different and I do in fact like them both very much. 🙂 ❤
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🙂
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I love your hummingbirds. They are excellent. Are you selling your work?
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Thank you so much, and Yes I am selling 🙂 My daughter-in-law and I have an ETSY shop called McKinneyX2Designs. I do cards and watercolor and paintings and she does adorable rustic signs and home decor. Hope you will visit 🙂 Here is a link:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/McKinneyx2Designs
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Thanks Jodi. I will check this out.
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They’re too different to judge and that’s awesome!! Really different styles, both beautiful in their own right! 😍 This one is just so darn happy and bright that it makes me smile!!
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☺️
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Oh, I love this post, Jodi!!! And both of your hummingbirds! Painting is such a wonderful thing, you´re so right about that!!! 💕🖌🎨 Have a wonderful weekend!!! 🌞
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You are an amazing artist who produces beautiful pictures, and I love that you share them on your blog. (And I have one hanging on my wall, too!). But the best thing is that you love painting them, and are having so much fun. Creativity is so good for the soul!
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Oh Ann! You are such a sweetie! I can’t remember which one you bought? Can you remind me?
You are so right – creativity is good for the soul! It is my calming thing.
Have you tried painting or do you have a creative outlet you enjoy?
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I bought the water color painting g of the rabbit. I think you did it around Easter? Sadly, I don’t paint, but my creative outlet is writing stories, which I really do enjoy!
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Oh yes – now I remember – one of my faves actually 🙂 Hope you are enjoying it. Thanks again Ann!!
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Oh Jodi, this is so sweet.
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🙂 Thanks Susan
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They’re both beautiful, Jodi … the lovely sense of movement you created with the splatters is fabulous … the first hummer appears more energetic than the second, which seems to be rather chilled! Anita 🙂
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good comparison Anita – lol! A chilled hummer 🙂
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Beautiful Hummer, not only jewel-like but tropical looking as well…gorgeous colors. Thank you for sharing such a sweet painting.
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I’m glad you liked these colors – I kinda did too 🙂
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Beautiful hummingbird, Jodi :-). I love last year’s too. But I think you are right – your strokes do look more confident in the more recent hummingbird… and the wild splatters seem a bit more intentional and controlled… but still a little wild! Wonderful colours!
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Thanks myr! ☺️
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