Mood Board - Birding

The inspiration for this mood board was the great fabric in the background. It contains dictionary words and images of birds in color and in etched black. I couldn't help but add my favorite nest and feather wreath to it. The field guide and bird cards went along perfectly. The added ephemera of the paint chip swatch and the little nest matchbox were too cute to pass up. I hope you look around and create a mood board of your favorite hobby. Now, where are those binoculars, I think I just saw an Eastern Bluebird in the garden...

Nest Building

I love the Seasons and can't imagine my life without them because each one holds its own treasure to open up and unfold to us as spectators. It is who I am, the curious muse, looking for inspiration wherever Nature provides it. I wait all Winter hoping to see that little breast of tomato red outside my window. When the Robin first arrives, there is excitement in the air because that can only mean one thing. Spring is coming and soon Winter will be over, the end of one season and the birth of another. I am always on an adventure to find where they build their nest. Oh, they know me and let me take photos throughout the Spring without too much trouble. We have bonded over the years and they know I mean no harm, I am just a curious observer who interjects herself a few moments at a time. This is the first nest of the spring and I cannot wait to see it filled with many small speckled robins blue eggs that are always a delightful treasure to discover. I wonder what tomorrow's exploration will bring?

Heading Forward 21/30

I shot this lovely bird of paradise flower while in Florida. Their exotic ways always intrigue the curious muse inside this artist. From their shape, does it not resemble a bird? To their wonderful color combination of orange and blue violet. Add the long elegant stem and you have this interesting beauty. For me today, this one is pointing to a new adventure, heading forward, not knowing the end results, just reveling in the endless possibilities of my own imagination. It is getting quite real, this next step. I am ready, let the discoveries begin...

Birds Anyone 12/30

I have been wanting to do a journal page with birds lately and went in search of my miscellaneous ephemera from the Junk Bonanza. I found this lovely selection and can't wait to see what transpires out of it. I have a page in mind - natural, painterly, minimalistic. I want to add a couple of actual pictures of the birds for the focus. Now, what color scheme and which bird? The woes of an artist...I do love a challenge!

Steampunk Series

My second online
e-course is about to go live. Today at midnight in fact.
To say I'm nervous, excited, thrilled, inspired and just plain happy would be an under-statement. This class has made me think beyond myself and embrace a bit of the daring artist inside. Steampunk isn't for everyone. In fact, most people don't even know what Steampunk is. If you can just imagine the melding of the Victorian Era and the Industrial Age, you have it made. Think soft but tattered, mechanical but intriguing, perfection to me. I was able to use my architectural rendering side to come up with wild and strange pieces that just make me happy. It added a quirky twist to my work that even I didn't know existed. I loved the challenge of finding what kind of items I could add that would give me the machine side of steampunk. Believe when I say, it was not what I expected. There are washers, gears, nuts, zippers, beads, charms, nails, clock parts and optical lenses, where else can that seem normal, right? Loved the challenge of making everyday items work in a piece of art.

So, have I convinced you yet to join the class? There is still time but know the hands are moving quickly, we start at midnight...
If you want to check it out you can find more information here http://kellyhoernig.webs.com/ecourses.htm

Secluded Surprise

Some Thesaurus words for "hide" - bury, cache, camouflage, cloak, cover, disguise, duck, eclipse, harbor, mask, obscure, plant, protect, reserve, screen, shadow, shelter, shield, squirrel, stash, stifle, suppress, veil, withhold.

I found this little woven birdhouse tucked away into a tree and found myself totally captivated by it's cloaked appearance. I can only imagine a bird building its nest and raising a family in its seclusion. What a wonderful environment don't you think? This adornment was actually in the garden of a retreat center and I found it so charming that I kept taking pictures just hoping to catch the hidden inhabitants. Can't you wait to put one of these in your trees come springtime? I know I will be on the lookout for something so special.

Word - Hide

The word for this week is hide.

Its verb meaning - to put or remain out of sight; to conceal for shelter or protection; to seek protection; to keep secret; to turn away in shame or anger.

Right in plain sight. You have to walk or drive past it to leave or enter the house. And, I never even saw it. This little tiny treasure the size of my hand. Hidden beneath the rich ruby leaves and sparkling red berries of the burning bush. Its enchanted discovery came only as the leaves started falling away due to the harvest season. There it was, a small work of art, just waiting to be seen by someone. I can't imagine the little hatchlings calmly awaiting their next meal or what variety of bird found just the right hiding place. Oh yes, next year I will be keeping a closer eye on this beautiful bush to see just who the inhabitants are. I will keep you posted.

Nested Creativity

I love when the robins start collecting items for their nests. You see them looking at everything in a new way. The tall grasses from the pond, the empty husks from last years corn fields, the bit of lint from the dryer - it's all part of their wonderful creations. I love photographing them and they really do get use to me since I try to get there every other day to see what has changed. Are there eggs, baby birds, fledglings or is it empty? This one was abandoned when I peeked inside but I know it was a home for 3 young robins to start their life and I am very thankful to have been there for the experience! Still beautiful from the outside like a creative studio waiting for another inhabitant to occupy its craftsmanship. Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder, isn't it? Take a look around you today and see what kind of inspiration awaits!

Mosaic Cardinal?

This lovely plant stick was on my mom's deck and well, I just couldn't resist the beautiful mosaic colors of his breast. Could you imagine if this was a real bird? Wouldn't you just stop and stare? I know I would. I would probably have my mouth hanging open too, just because of the wonderful color palette. I don't know how she does it but my mom always has so many reflective things in her garden oasis that I can be kept busy photographing for hours. Thanks mom for the endless inspiration!

Palette - Nest

I wanted to share my springtime palette with you and couldn't wait to show you these wonderful robin's eggs surrounded by crab apple blossoms. Could the photo be a better representation of the fresh, vibrant early season? I'm really not thinking so. Although the nest is quite dark, that happens when you are holding the camera above your head really hoping that you get a shot at all, I love it's position in the composition. Can you believe the palette I pulled from this photo? What can you imagine with that as your guide? I can only see new growth, tiny buds, perfumed scents and natures miracles. What a great way to live!

The Steampunk Aviator

I have been enchanted with the whole steampunk movement mostly because of the combination of insects and mechanical parts like gears. With owls being such a huge trend right now I thought I would try my hand at making it into my version of a mixed media canvas with various texture and many layers of random techniques. I know he needs a lot of love but I'm so pleased with the way he turned out. Actually he is pretty close to what I envisioned in my head - I know, you are sooo glad you aren't trapped in there, right? He looks adventurous and rough from a night of flying, the only addition I will make, a rolled up document to stick inside the cage as if he was delivering an important message somewhere. Hope you take flight with your next project, whatever it may be and wherever it may take you!

Smile!

How can you head to the fairway and not be bombarded by all the games? Let's not even talk about the colorful prizes. It's all in jest and well, these little ducks just make me smile. I love the way they are all at different angles, bobbing along in the water just waiting for a childs hand to scoop them up. Oh yes, it took me back to the sweet memories of yesteryear!

Inspired

The robins are nesting in our holly's this year and I happened upon this visual treat. Not bad since I was holding the camera above my head to shoot inside the nest. The dramatic photo is one of my favorites because of the light shining in and out of the holly leaves. I couldn't have planned it better if I had set it up myself. Don't you just love when happy accidents turn out so beautiful?

Poke Salat Annie?

We have this poke salat plant growing in several stands of our yard. For one the color is just exceptional and during these dull days of summers end, it is a joyous spot in the gardens. The birds also love to eat the ripe berries. There are times the plant will just be shaking like crazy due to the amount of birds on it. The migrating robins think we planted it just for them - we counted 48 alone in the backyard a couple days ago. So, if you would love this bright red stemmed plant with it's edible berries - just ask the birds to bring it to your yard, I'm sure they will be happy to do it! Where else do you see just vibrancy at the end of the season?

Strike a Pose

On the way into our little town today I was captivated by this spectacular creature at a stop sign. Luckily I had my camera and it was patient enough to let me take a couple of photos. I didn't dare get out of the car so took the photos from the drivers seat and they turned out pretty darn well. I love the stance of the pose, clear blue sky and majestic feeling the red tailed hawk is giving me - vogue! When nature presents itself like this, take every advantage you can.

CHA Show

I attended the CHA Show in Chicago today and although it was small, it was mighty with creative ideas. I came home very inspired and wanted to share a painted piece I did a couple years ago using scrapbook paper as the background. With all the choices we have today, you can change the look so easily just by the paper choice. Imagine a green leafed paper or a pale lavender - it would change the overall feel but not the intention and I love that! Simple steps make painting the same thing again, new and fresh. Get creative, visit your nearest scrapbook aisle and see what grabs your attention!

Project in the DP

If you are a member of The Society of Decorative Painters, I have a new colored pencil piece in Issue 2 of the DP called Peacock Tales.
The photography is stunning and I hope you like this colorful peacock in all his glory - WOW!

I've added 14 colored pencil patterns to my website YEAH! I've been wanting to do it for a while now but finally had time to get it done. I hope you will stop by and visit - http://www.kellyhoernig.com/.

Ready for Flight?

Here they are a couple days larger and getting ready to leave the nest. I will definitely miss taking their photos but I'm sure the mother robin will be glad to get rid of me and my camera. Until next year when I can guarantee the crazy lady and her puppies will be waiting!

Feathered Friends

I just had to share this wonder-fully charming photo of the baby robins all tucked into their nest. They are waiting patiently for their mother to come back with food but also for the crazy photo-grapher to gather her puppies and leave them alone. The nurturing they receive is amazing. I see the parents constantly in the yard looking for food and believe me, with all the bugs, freshly mowed grass and a pond nearby they don't have to go too far. When they aren't foraging, the mother is sitting on the nest looking like she might topple any moment because there isn't much room left for her. It's a bit precarious but it brings me great joy to watch!

The Hatchling

Last Spring we had several nests in the fruit trees that I was able to take photos of. I love the nest shapes so anytime I see one I'm intrigued. I like they way they really tuck them into the trees so that they blend in naturally. The small branch with the yellow leaf was actually part of the nest, cool huh? I captured this nest from a single egg and watched the hatchlings develop and grow. The photos were not the greatest because the momma robin was watching and squawking the whole time but after a while she got used to me. This one is my favorite because of its simplicity. Can you see the hidden beak reaching for the sunshine? I know, you really had to focus didn't you. To me, this is half of the excitement, looking for something wonderful to capture in a photograph. I'm happy to share and I'll try to surprise you from time to time, isn't that why you keep on reading?