My recent imaginary watercolor safari adventure took a detour to cruise across the Indian ocean to the bamboo forests of China to visit the beautiful endangered giant pandas. After all, only about 1,600 live in the wild, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (with another hundred or so living in zoos around the world.) Definitely worth the 8,000+ mile trip – wouldn’t you say?
Today, I present Percy the Panda.
Percy LOVES bamboo. In fact, he munches on it about 12 hours a day. As much as he loves bamboo, however, it is sadly low in nutrients, so he also feasts on protein-rich rodents, fish, insects and birds.
Percy, like most giant pandas, is a loner. Apparently, giant pandas dislike being around other pandas so much, they have a heightened sense of smell that lets them know when another panda is nearby so it can be avoided. And, if another panda gets too close, the two will end up swatting and growling or biting each other. The only time pandas seek each other out is during mating season.
On average, a giant panda’s territory is about 1.9 square miles (5 square kilometers). To mark their territory, giant pandas secrete a waxy scent marker. Other giant pandas are able to discern the sex, age, reproductive condition, and social status from this scent marker. Must be some smell!
I was itching to play with some tubes of Daniel Smith Primatek pigments I acquired a while back that are made from natural minerals and semi-precious gemstones, and have amazing granulating effects. Percy is made from genuine Hematite, Mayan Blue, Jadeite, and a touch of Quinacridone Rose.
I really enjoyed “visiting” with Percy and learning more about him and his friends.
Where will this adventure lead next? Your guess is as good as mine!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Giant Panda facts from: http://www.livescience.com/27335-giant-pandas.html
I love Pandas and yours is no exception 🙂 Glad that you took a detour to China 🙂
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😉. Thanks C!
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It looks great on a wood background. It’s important to be reminded of the world’s endangered species too…good job all around! (K)
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Thanks K! It was fun to do a little research too. ☺️
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It always is.
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Aww…Percy is so cute! Jodi, I just love your artwork! By the way Big Magic is a great read and motivator! Are you enjoying it?💗
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Thanks so much Mary. I totally loved Big Magic!
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Love it.
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A very precious panda, painted with the wonderful Daniel smith paints, perfect…I never knew that ate fish, leant something new 😀
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Great job, Jodi! One of my favorites..:)
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Yay! I love this series!
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Just beautiful Jodi!! GREAT job! And I enjoyed learning about Pandas! I can hardly wait to see what is next!
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Thanks pj! I had fun learning a bit more about them too.
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Percy is so cute and cuddly . 👌
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Thanks. ☺️
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Who wouldn’t love your Percy the Panda Jodi!! Where is the safari going next? I will have to wait and see……
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☺️. Thanks susan! And your guess is as good as mine. I guess we will both have to see.
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Those colors are just wonderful Jodi! Percy the Panda is a wonderful presentation of this species! xo
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Awh. Thanks Kathryn!
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So beautiful and so much interesting info.!
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Thanks Lynn ☺️
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🙂
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Cute Jodi! I use Daniel Smith watercolors but I’m pretty sure they aren’t made from gemstones! Is this a new thing? Sounds very intriguing {interpret that to mean expensive!} 🙂
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Everything is new to me Jenna! LOL! They are a special set that i couldn’t resist buying a few tiny tubes of just to see how they work. The granulating is incredible. Likely wonderful the right landscape or something better than a panda bear – hahaha! I’m such an amateur just playing around 🙂
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That’s very clever to go on an imaginary safari. So fun! And I just noticed you changed your blog title! I like it a lot. It fits perfectly!
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Awh! Thanks EN! 🙂 (wish I knew your name – lol!)
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WOWZA!! Percy is the PERFECT panda!! 💜💙❤️ Very impressive painting, Jodi! Absolutely LOVE Percy!! 😍🎨👍
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Awh! Thanks Joyful Jilly! 🙂
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Great adventure Jodi! And hello there Mr. Percy 🙂 I hope you had a wonderful time meeting my friend Jodi and ‘sitting’ just so she could paint your portrait to take home with her. I bet Jodi will cherish the conversation you both had while she was painting you. You shared so much of your life and how you live. 🙂
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You are so cute! Oh to dream of this visit and conversation 🙂
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Dreaming is good…always good. 😀
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😉
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I love your painting of Percy! And thanks for the background on pandas. I didn’t know they were such loners, or that they don’t get enough nutrients from bamboo. Following your animal safari is quite interesting!
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I didn’t either before I did a little research for the Percy Post 🙂 Glad you enjoyed Ann.
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