Spix's Macaw

 I stumbled upon a photo of this small macaw online, and found them to be such beautiful birds with their blue feathers. While I've not seen this movie, they are featured in the movie Rio. Their home was in Brazil, but with deforestation, they are extinct in the wild. Fortunately, conservation groups such as ACTP are working to reintroduce them to their native rainforests.

This watercolor painting took me a couple of months as I had lost my creative urge for several weeks. Once it came back, I worked through it quickly and with great joy. This was challenging beause of the detailed texture of the feathers. And instead of a detailed background, I went with an abstract green watercolor with alcohol droplets to simulate greenery. Very pleased how this turned out.

The Keel-Billed Toucan

 Thought this bird was beautiful when looking at photos of toucans. Watercolor on paper in my bird journal.

The Raven

 I will never forget the eerie feeling of seeing a murder of ravens in February 2020 at dawn from my office window. There were hundreds, if not thousands, that flew past the the 9th story in downtown Portland. Little did I realize that the COVID pandemic was just about to begin...

The Raven is painted with M. Graham watercolors on cotton paper.

The vivid blue and gold Macaw

 A few months ago, I had an intense dream of these blue and gold Macaws flying above my back patio at dusk. It was a very happy feeling, yet somehow not a single spot of bird droppings in the dream. The feeling that I was left with inspired me to paint one in my watercolor bird journal. These are large birds, and live for many years, such incredible and beautiful animals. Watercolor on paper.

Happy Halloween owl!

 Last week during a mild Friday evening under a new moon, live music was playing across my street by Jacob Westfall who made an appearance on American Idol. While I'm not watcher of American Idol (or much TV anyway), his voice was incredible. I couldn't see the actual concert as it was in my neighbor's backyard, so I sat on my patio and just listened. Above the house where the concert was playing is a large tree, and suddenly I see a giant owl float to a branch in that tree. This bird was so graceful and large, so I retrieved my binoculars to see if I can get a better view. It sat in that tree as if it were also listening to the beautiful music, and it didn't move for at least an hour. The evening felt so magicial.

Although I've painted a few owls already, this sighting and the season had inspired me to paint one. Here is one in watercolor in my bird journal.

Bird series-American Goldfinch

The American Goldfinch is a North American finch where the males are primarily yellow (as pictured below) and females aren't so brightly colored. One interesting fact from All About Birds is these are among the most vegetarian birds, and eats insects only on occasion. Painted on 100% cotton paper with watercolor.

Red Crested Cardinal in watercolor

For my watercolor bird journal, the Red Crested Cardinal is native to countries in South America, and was introduced in O'ahu in 1928. Interestingly enough, they are not related to the Cardinal desite their similar appearance. I find these birds just beautiful. Painted in watercolor on paper.

Mountain Bluebird in watercolor

I have never seen one of these birds as they dwell more in the Mountain states, but they sure do look sweet. I picked this out of the National Audobon society book for North American birds. Watercolor in my bird journal (paper).

Burrowing Owl in watercolor

When I think of owls, I imagine the Burrowing Owl. With it's intense yellow eyes and glare, you can just feel it's power. One of my favorite bird paintings, watercolor on paper.