For the Birds

I've just been having so many great wildlife encounters this week, I feel like Snow White or Cinderella. Now if i could just get these little critters to do some housework for me. :)

This little bird was out by my door, chirping and chirping and chirping this morning. I opened the door to see him sitting there and chirping away. We had a nest in one of our trees so I'm thinking he may have come out of there. I hurried to get my camera so I could snap some pics.

For the Birds

He sat there and posed quite still for me, long enough for me to get a few digital photos. This one was the best. I went to get my phone to get a few pics on there too, but when I got back he got spooked and flew away. I'm glad I got this shot though. Such a pretty little bird. 

Here's to capturing even more nature over the summer. 

I Spy a Fox

The Hubs and I didn't just see Barns when we went on our Sunday drive over the weekend. We also saw something I've never seen in the 29 years that I've lived in northwest Ohio: a Fox! He was on my right, out in a field, when the Hubs and I both saw him at the same time. So we slowed down and then pulled off the road in order to get a better look. The fox was heading toward the road, seeming to want to cross the street. I took a few photos as he wandered along. Then he sat down in the field and just looked at me, with the sun setting behind him.

Fox at Sunset 1 Digital Photo

Fox at Sunset 2 Digital Photo

He sat there for a little bit just looking at me, until he finally got up the courage to cross the road. He sure was beautiful. And it was so neat to see a Fox that close up, and one that didn't seem to mind having his picture taken either. 

I wish I always had that kind of luck when I have my camera with me, especially considering that this part of Ohio is really not very scenic. But hey, I'll take what I can get. Hopefully I find even more wonderful things to photograph this summer.

For the Love of Barns Digital Photos

The Hubs and I went out for a drive over the weekend, and I decided to take along my camera. I tend to do that, even though there's not always a lot to see in northwest Ohio (it's kind of flat and boring here, folks). But I got lucky this time when we happened upon some old barns as the sun was going down, so I hopped out of the car and snapped a couple of digital photos.

There were two barns, both on the same property. I took the color photos but also decided to transform them into black and white too, to see how I liked them. I actually love them both ways, but I think the black and white has a slight lead for me. Though I love the sunset glow that hits both of the barns just right. :)

Wide Barn Digital Photo

WIde Barn Digital Photo bw

Big Barn Digital Photo

Big Barn Digital Photo BW

So tell me what you think. Which pictures are your favorites? The Color? Or the Black and White? I'd love to hear from you.

Life is a Beautiful Ride Mixed Media

Well I finally made it back into the studio again after almost a month of a busy life that prevented that from happening. The downside of being out of the studio for so long (other than creative withdrawal) is that it can be difficult to get my creative juices flowing again. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do when I got into the studio. I had totally planned to paint, but instead decided on something that didn't involve paint at all. Flying by the seat of my pants in my studio is kind of how I like to do things anyway. This mixed media work on wood panel is what I came up with.

Life is a Beautiful Ride

I used three different pieces of scrapbook paper for the background, and then I added some shading with a dark umber colored pencil around the edges. Then I drew my butterfly, also with colored pencils, and added a stenciled trail below the butterfly.  I also stenciled on a doily design and added some fabric flowers to the center of that. And finally I added the faux stamps at the upper left, and the quote on the bottom right. 

After finishing it I wished I'd made the butterfly lower on the right side. It's not as visually balanced as it should be and that bugs me. But not everything can be a home run where art is concerned. And really, as with life, it's more about the journey than the destination. And we just have to remember that "Life is a Beautiful Ride." :)

Lilacs Fairy Dance

Well since my granddaughter and I attended the local Lilac Festival today, I was in the mood for Lilacs. So I created this digital art from a photo I took of my Lilacs. Nothing like a little fairy dance to bring some magic to May. 

Lilac Fairy Dance

Hoping to get into my studio tomorrow to have some messy creative fun, but in the mean time, a little digital art is always fun too. :)

(Fairy girl image by sussieM Designs)

May Flowers

Since it finally stopped raining, I decided to take a walk around outside in my yard today. It was a perfect Spring day. Sunny skies, upper sixties, and a gentle little breeze blowing too. I loved it. I was inspired to to do some photography today too, so I thought I'd share my pictures with you.

May Flowers

April Showers really do bring May flowers. And I'm so glad. :)