Jacutinga Birds

This week I found inspiration in the endangered Jacutinga or Black-fronted Piping Guan (Pipile jacutinga). Such a visually arresting bird with such colorful markings and expressive eyes. I couldn't wait to get started!

I started painting this with watercolor but then I felt it needed a little extra pizzazz so I dripped some ink onto the damp surface and loved the way the ink formed a criss-cross pattern like a batik.

Also I'm very excited because my friend Vicki who writes a fun, stylish blog called Honest Mum has featured my cushions on her blog. She and her sons are the perfect models against my colorful cushions that will make your room POP! Do go over and check out her feature and enter the competition to win the cushions here.

Linking up to Paint Party Friday!

Love Birds

I'm not really sure why but I'm already getting ready for Valentine's Day! It might be because I recently had a three day celebration for my birthday so I felt like I wanted to infinitely extend the celebrations! After all you can never have enough chocolate cheesecake or romance! Although of course the most wonderful sort of romance is when your hunny bunny is nice to you every day in thoughtful ways...................although Belgian chocolates are very nice too! [Can you tell I have an, er, problem with chocolate?]


So inspired by the nature artists group I am part of I painted these Sayaca Tanagers against a shifting, dissolving watercolor heart. You can also buy this as a print or throw cushion for a loved one.

What have you got planned for Valentine's day or do you give it a wide berth reckoning it's just an excuse to sell a lot of schmaltzy Hallmark cards and cheap scratchy pink lingerie?


Linking up to Paint Party Friday!