Thursday, October 25, 2012

Change of season...change of sparrows...

Last night when I got home from work, I sat down with my sketch book to find inspiration for today's post. I had lots of ideas, but it wasn't until I saw two sketches of a Savannah Sparrow that I knew I had my subject. I adore sparrows. They are sweet, and their subtle shades of browns, grays, and caramels are restful to the eye and make sparrows interesting to paint...

...a sweet Savannah Sparrow in an early spring meadow (watercolor).

Sparrows go about their business without flash. They flit through the grasses and make us work to see and identify them. This little Savannah Sparrow, however, was making it easy. He was singing heartily, perched on a tall and dried-out reedy stem of grass left over from winter. This sighting goes back to March 24, 2012 at Armleder Park in Cincinnati, OH. This bird was part of a pair that took turns diving down to the ground, then fluttering back up to a perch. In the same field, two Vesper Sparrows were doing the same thing, although they were much more secretive and did not do quite as much "fluttering up." Both species were returning migrants, and it was wonderful to welcome them back for the season...

...same Savannah Sparrow trying his best to fade away in a field of dead stalks and grasses (watercolor).

...but now, it's almost time to say goodbye to our sweet summer sparrows, but before our beautiful little Savannahs hurry off, I thought spending a few hours painting one seemed like a great way to bid adieu!


Sketches of the Savannah Sparrow at Armleder Park from back in March. 

Soon our winter sparrows will be here...White-crowned, White-throated, Fox, and American Tree Sparrows. None have showed up in our yard yet, but we are watching and waiting!

Happy Birding!
Kelly

16 comments:

  1. Lovely drawings! I have seen one White-throated Sparrow in my yard. Have a great day!

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    1. Thanks, Eileen! We always have our first Dark-eyed Junco and first White-throated Sparrow of the year contest, but so far...nothing!

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  2. Always a joy to see your artwork Kelly. Very nice

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    1. ...thanks, Dan. I always like when you include your sketches too!

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  3. Fantastic art form you've done, love it.

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  4. Gorgeous art, Kelly. So glad you share it on here.

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  5. Stunning painting and sketches from a very gifted artist! Beautifully written prose, as well. I am always in awe of your work, Kelly! It's always fun to view lovely sparrows.

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    1. ...thank you, Julie! Savannahs are so sweet they practically paint themselves!

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  6. I am always grateful for a wonderful news.
    Japan is now the fall of art.
    Your writing sketches and sparrows are very extensive.
    Has excellent cousin and also very artistic, my father.

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  7. Lovely sketches, Kelly! I always marvel how with a few pen and brush strokes you capture the essence of the bird.

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    1. Thank you, Hilke! I tried to be loose with these...with washed-out color. I like the subdued feeling too.

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  8. Fantastic paintings and sketches Kelly!

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  9. Very impressive! You have a wonderful gift to make something look so simple yet beautiful. Thanks for sharing your gift.

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