Heart in Darkness

     "Heart in Darkness", 4x4" oil on black canvas panel

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"We live as we dream...alone..." — Joseph Conrad

Ever feel like this diminutive robin red-breast? He/she speaks to me of the inner strength of human spirit, and its ability to struggle and survive against seemingly insurmountable odds.

We've had our share of whoa lately between a car wreck, flood in our home, two huge dead trees ready to fall on our house...all resulting in major unplanned expenses. A lot of whoa? So I think, until I am reminded of so many others without even a roof, or a warm nest where to lay their children's heads. 

This is the time of year I look around and see how truly blessed we are for so many countless gifts, but most importantly the gift of life itself. This is what the merry in Christmas is about. The very gift of heart that continues, on from where it began in a stable, to burn bright with ongoing life into our surrounding darkness. 

I am thankful for the warmth and support of each of you on this branch beside me. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas! 

nancy  

To see more of my art or to contact me: Online Gallery  • E-mail  • Website  •  Graphic Design Studio •  Saatchi Gallery •  Fine Art America

Little Bird Come Sit Upon My Window Sill

"Little Bird Come Sit Upon My Window Sill", 4x4" oil on canvas board

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"Use what talents you possess; the woods would by very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang the best." — Henry Van Dyke

Winter is here and my urgent need to paint birds has once again returned. In fact, I painted three over the weekend. I don't know why I am so drawn to paint birds in the winter months, but do love capturing their little forms all plumped up with added layers of fluffy down.  

Bracing cold and chill from solitary icy limbs and dangling phone wires, these tiny creatures appear so vulnerable huddling together for warmth in single-line formations. Sitting still, like hooded monks in pews at early morning vespers, their holy chants of praise are dimmed only by the numbing roar of engines processing bumper to bumper on the street below. 

I am sure my concerns for these feathered neighbors are amplified after just losing two huge old trees from our yard. First the towering pine sucked dry by thirsty pine beetles in a matter of days, followed by the gnarled and twisted oak that lurched like a staggering old man on crutches over our driveway and house the result of a lightening strike. I lay awake at night wondering how many homes were lost in those fallen trees. Where do those refugees go when abruptly finding themselves and their families homeless? Am I the only person who worries about this stuff?

Thanks for perching here today. I'll be tweeting more birds shortly. 

nancy

To see more of my art or to contact me: Online Gallery  • E-mail  • Website  •  Graphic Design Studio •  Saatchi Gallery •  Fine Art America

SOLD - We Are Family

"We Are Family" 4x4" miniature oil on black canvas panel 

SOLD

“What I saw was just one eye
In the dawn as I was going:
A bird can carry all the sky
In that little button glowing...”

 ― Harold Monro, Collected Poems 

These cozy cardinals make quite a team bracing a frosty winter night as snow flurries dancing all around them.

The quote from Harold Monro's poem above, speaks to me. When painting a bird, the highlight or finishing touch of the painting is placing that tiny little white dot in the birds eye. It's always that one speck of whitest value which brings the painting together, breathing life into the bird; it's kind of like putting the icing on the cake, or dropping a cherry on top of that ice cream sundae.  

Thank you for being a member of my little flock of followers.
nancy

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To see more of my art or to contact me: Online Gallery  • E-mail  •  Website  •  Graphic Design Studio 

SOLD - Titmouse Camo

"Titmouse Camo" 4x4" miniature on black canvas panel

SOLD

 “In order to see birds it is necessary to become a part of the silence.” — Robert Lynd

I am continuing on with my bird obsession. This one is a tiny titmouse catching the first light of day atop a high limb where he blends into the sky in his feathery disguise. I love birds but especially the titmouse. 

Thanks for peeking in.
 nancy

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To see more of my art or to contact me: Online Gallery  • E-mail  •  Website  •  Graphic Design Studio 

Her's and His

"Her's" 4x4" miniature oil on black canvas board

 "...And His" 4x4" miniature oil on black canvas board

 Click Here to Buy  FEMALE CARDINAL

"Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into." - Wayne Dyer
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/search_results.html#PEXv6HXitzLPhElf.99

"Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into." - Wayne Dyer
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/search_results.html#PEXv6HXitzLPhElf.9

 
Click Here to Buy MALE CARDINAL

 "A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song" —Lou Holtz 

Here's a bright young pair of male and female cardinals, donned in thick warm crimson layers of feathery down, singing a duet while foraging for seeds and fruit from high branches. "Like two birds of a feather, they stick together" throughout the blast of winter's deep chill.

I wanted to keep these paintings simple by limiting the number of brush strokes, as I did with the simple shapes found in my black capped chickadee posted earlier this week. However these fledglings just seemed to require more information in order to portrait the soft feel of fluffy plumes and quill on their chubby forms. 

I have posted these paintings as a pair so as not to split them up, but let's face it, divorce happens...so they are also available individually. ; )

Thank you for perching with me for a moment or two. 

nancy 

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To see more of my art or to contact me: Online Gallery  • E-mail  •  Website  •  Graphic Design Studio 

Forest Forager

"Forest Forager" 6x6" oil on Ampersand panel

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The weather has turned cold and rainy in this part of the woods; a reminder that it's time to nestle in and prepare for the winter months ahead. With the wildlife in Texas struggling from long, hot summer droughts, be sure to fill up those bird feeders for our local feathered friends, and their migratory cousins here on winter holiday.

Texas a prime spot for watching migratory birds. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, there are 629 species of birds found in Texas, and of those birds, 53 percent are migratory species. Texas is a main corridor for the central migratory flyway, and many species of birds traveling on the Mississippi flyway use the Gulf Coast. There are 338 species of birds that migrate from South and Central America to North America, and of those species, 98.5 percent have been recorded in Texas.

The fluffy little fellow above is a Tufted Titmouse. He likes to feast on caterpillars, beetles, wasps, ants, bees, tree hoppers, spiders, and snails. He'll glean prey from tree bark and twigs, but may also forage on the ground. In winter, he collects seeds and acorns throughout his territory, and is a frequent visitor to backyard bird feeders.

Thanks for bird watching with me!

nancy 

FREE SHIPPING WITHIN USA
I am offering FREE shipping within the U.S. on all paintings in my Daily Paint Works and Etsy stores. These small paintings work great in groups of two or more, and add interest and charm to an entry, kitchen, bath, sitting on a bookshelf, or other small areas.

INTERNATIONAL PURCHASES AND SHIPPING:  Shipping charges are based on actual weight, contact me directly to arrange for online payments and shipping cost.