One of my new personal projects/challenges is to do more drawing. I am doing this in a couple of ways. Here’s one way . . .
I’ve always wanted to spend some time drawing birds. There is something benevolent and calming about birds. Their song and chirpiness connects us (me) to nature effortelessly. I always notice new birdsongs when I travel. Certain sounds have the power to take me back to a particular place and time.
I started drawing birds right into my art journal. My art journal is part writing and part art making. It’s the first thing I come to in the morning, right after making coffee. It felt very natural to draw/focus on birds first thing in the morning. This part of the morning is shrouded with silence.
This quote by Irish writer Robert Lynd seems very fitting:
In order to see birds it is necessary to become a part of the silence.
The birds become a happy part of the silence of my morning ritual. Here are the birds I’ve started to draw. I’ve been referencing an animal encyclopedia, which has the added benefit of learning about the species, their habitat, distribution, etc. I rather like this other learning component to this drawing exercise.
mediums used: collage, watercolour, fineliner, charcoal
The birds I’ve drawn so far are: the bullfinch, the ovenbird, the eclectus parrot (not shown), the blue titmouse, the atlantic puffin. Some I’ve played with several times after the initial drawing. At first I paint/colour a realistic colour but then I’ve also started creating my own colour combinations and altered features. This is a fun part of playing.
Do you have a morning ritual that starts your day on a positive note?
Art Journal Resource:
You may want to check into Lisa Sonora Beam’s blog and read about her Root: A 30 Day Journal Project. It starts January 1st and it’s free. If you need support art journaling this will probably be a great place to be.
frannie
December 31, 2013 5:40pm
dear Laura , Hello! thanks so much for sharing your beautiful work and writing about your process. It is always interesting to see where inspiration takes us. I look forward to hearing from you. Have a Happy New Year ! smiles, Frannie
Laura
December 31, 2013 8:42pm
Hi Frannie, Happy New Year to you too! I haven’t been posting here regularly but now that I have something authentic to share, I think I will be here a bit more.
Frannie
April 3, 2014 9:24pm
Dear Laura, Hello ! thanks for keeping in touch and sharing your evolving projects. I did some more birds with my Sr students.Today We did Flowers. and next class we will do butterflies. What prompted /inspired your current project ? I like the idea of combining stitching with other media. I have recently thought of experimenting along those lines myself. Keep creating !! love, Frannie
Laura
April 4, 2014 3:26pm
Hi Frannie. I guess what prompted me to focus on birds is the desire to learn more about the world around me. Being able to at least name birds, plants, and trees in my area makes me feel more connected to my environment.