The creative journey of an artist inspired by animals and life by the sea

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Mockingbirds



I finished my Mockingbird painting "Look Who's Watching" in time for the 15th Annual Homes Tour and Art Show.  I remember playing with my best friend Cynthia as a young girl and searching for their low level nests in the bushes.  We loved to look at the eggs and the birds would dive bomb us to protect their nests.  Their beautiful songs are a constant in my backyard and I couldn't resist putting these two on one of my camellia bushes.  I added a Green Anole Lizard hiding in the leaves, another one of my favorite creatures.  This painting is an acrylic on aquabord 22" x 26 and is for sale.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

A Wild Horse Weekend


I participated in a two day photography workshop this weekend with a terrific local photographer Bob Decker and survived!  We started out with a long morning at Shackleford Island searching out the wild horses through the salt marsh and tidal flats, which is very challenging terrain and at times I thought I was sinking in quicksand.  We found some great photo opportunities and also enjoyed a beautiful view of Cape Lookout Lighthouse.  After lunch, we returned to search the maritime forest on the other side of the island.  It is amazing to hike the environment these horses live and survive in.  I was exhausted on Saturday night, but ready to go again at 8:00 am this morning.  Today, we went to see the herd over on the Rachel Carson Preserve across from Beaufort.  We lucked out and found the wild horses at their watering hole and even some displays among the the young stallions and mares.  It was a wonderful weekend of horse "inspiration" for my artwork.