It seemed appropriate to include the Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga Virens) in the illustration with the Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) on the White Pine branch. Read more »

The Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) on an Eastern White Pine branch was done to gypsy music, GYPSY PASSION by Sergei Trafanov and GYPSY EYES by The Fancy Toys. The energy of the music was a good match for this neo-tropical warbler’s movements…a fitting finale! I sketched from a photo […] Read more »

I worked on the first four warbler illustrations from day 1-36 then switched to writing narrative for these neo-tropical wood warblers. It took awhile to get comfortable with the transition. When I started writing, I missed the music of illustrating (literally and figuratively). When I resumed illustrating on day 75 […] Read more »

This experiment was exciting. The morning sunlight created both shadow and sun on the tree and warbler. These circumstances brought out the texture of the watercolor paper, while enhancing the bark and lichens. Read more »

The process is developing as each piece is created. My goal has been to practice every day and learn more about structure and color as it is applied to the neo-tropical warblers and their breeding environment. I worked to Asaf Avidan’s new album, DIFFERENT PULSES. The energy from his work […] Read more »

The Redstarts (Warblers) on a Hemlock branch was done to THE GOAT RODEO SESSIONS, Yo Yo Ma…a goat rodeo is when “multiple conflicting elements all must be choreographed and aligned to avoid a chaotic result.” For this context, those elements are the branch design, needle placement, position of the birds, […] Read more »

I’ve decided to continue with sketching/painting the neo-tropical wood warblers for this 100-Day Project series. By staying with the warbler form, I’ve noticed improvements in both the sketch and the watercolor. I’m using my own photographs and Jim Flynn’s from Chris G. Earley’s , WARBLERS OF CANADA. I also consult […] Read more »

It took a few days to develop a rhythm and to allow a process to unfold naturally and without restrictions. I said “yes” to everything. This was the result: 1.) Sketched from natural objects (branches/study skins). 2.) Practice sketched in my journal to create a memory for color and form. […] Read more »