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I've been drawn to painting birds ever since I began watercolor lessons in the fall of 2009. I already enjoyed watching and photographing my backyard birds, so painting them was a natural transition. Birds are not often still for long, so I aim to preserve those brief moments when birdsong causes my head to turn or a flash of color draws my eye. Although I've branched out into other subjects, birds are definitely my first love!  

Spring Fling, original 5.5" x 8" watercolor.

I remember the first White-crowned Sparrow (the subject of Spring Fling) that visited my backyard one winter. He perched only long enough for me to snap a few photos. I was struck by the bold white stripes on his head and knew I just had to paint him right away! 

Ruffled, original 8" x 10" watercolor. Giclée prints available.

Mourning Doves hang out beneath our feeders year-round. Ruffled was almost titled Sub-zero because the temperature remained below zero on the sunny day I photographed this sweet Dove puffed up against the cold!

House Wren Among the Dogwood Blooms, original 7" x 10" watercolor.

In Springtime my dogwood tree flowers spectacularly. One year I had a House Wren family in the nest box which hangs in that tree. Beautiful blooms plus the tiny songster was a combination I couldn't resist!

Spring Chickadees, original 11" x 15" watercolor.

Chickadees are especially difficult to photograph, as they are so tiny and they seem to be in perpetual motion! I combined several images to create this colorful piece.

Can't Take My Eyes off of You, original 10.5" x 8" watercolor.

It was early in the reopening stages of Missouri's lockdown last spring, and my husband and I took a road trip down to Table Rock Lake. I craved dinner at DeVito's Restaurant (one of our favorite places to eat - about a 30 minute drive from our condo. Of course indoor dining was not yet available, and bringing back takeout wasn’t really an option). This Italian restaurant is located on a trout stream in Arkansas, in a wooded area with a large grassy clearing; the staff suggested that we simply eat our dinner on the property. It was a beautiful day, and as we sat in our lawn chairs enjoying our private tailgate party, this Cardinal was singing sweetly above us. Of course I always have my Nikon with me and snapped several photos. Cardinals are most beautiful in early Spring, don't you think?

I hope you enjoyed the stories behind a few of my backyard bird paintings!  

Paint. Love. Repeat.