downy woodpecker

Happy Draw a Bird Day!

/ Jodi / 39 Comments

First Bird Drawing and Watercolor Downy Woodpecker

Today is the “official” “unofficial” monthly Draw a Bird Day, and with the support and encouragement of my buddy, Laura at Create Art Every Day and inspiration from Jill at Jill’s Art Journal, I was brave enough to draw and watercolor my very first bird.

I used the photo I took the other day of the downy woodpecker hopping on the back deck as my inspiration.  (Don’t laugh  – – – too much!  It is my FIRST!)

I had a bit of a block about doing this, so first I stamped a bird from the StampinUp Love Life Stamp Set and watercolored it.

love life bird watercolor card

Then, still worried about trying to actually draw something that resembles a bird, I decided to do a silly owl drawing and paint it.  And to be even more fun, I added some nut brown Flower Soft to make fuzzy feathers, a couple of googly eyes, and a linen thread bow.

silly owl watercolor

After doing these is when I allowed myself to try drawing a bird.  I have a long way to go, but I made the first step and drew my first bird.

And it was FUN!

Happy Bird Day Friday!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Just Breathe

/ Jodi / 15 Comments

downy woodpecker or hairy

While Mama Cardinal is patiently nesting on top of her eggs in the front of the house, the rest of the bird sanctuary is a flutter in the backyard.

I caught this cute little Downy Woodpecker hopping along the deck railing heading for the feeder while taking turns with the others late yesterday afternoon.

The “music” in my backyard is something I cannot even describe to you.

Nothing soothes my soul – especially after a hectic work day or times of stress – like the music of nature in my backyard.

So… While watching the motion and listening to the sounds…

Mikey and I close our eyes to the sun…

and just breathe.

(and he is so much better at it than me!) 🙂

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi