There’s a Hummingbird in my Garden

Since I moved to California (from England) to be with my husband, I’ve become more appreciative of birds. Not that I didn’t like them before. I loved them. I have had for many years a pet Cockatiel which sadly had to stay in the UK with my parents. But when I came to live here, it was the first time I had ever seen a hummingbird. They are tiny, cute and beautiful and I was in awe. And when I found out you could get a hummingbird feeder! So we strung one upon our balcony and that was my solution to not having a pet for the first time in my life. Over the past 5 years I have watched the hummingbirds come and go from our feeder, bought a house with a garden, bought an extra feeder, watched even more hummingbirds come and go, even stay and fight off others.

I’m truly hooked and inspired.

Some of them are iridescent, with bright emerald greens and ruby reds. Others different hues of browns.

I was inspired enough to ask V to get me some photos….

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Ruby Throated Hummingbird perched on a wire.

Then I was inspired to sketch….
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Hummingbird sketches in pen

That inspiration moved on to create.

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Hummingbird in black pen and pencil.

And create some more

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Doodles of concept ideas

I did studies of the different aspects of hummingbirds that intrigue me….

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Studies of cypress vines. Hummingbirds feed from what seem to be the most beautiful flowers.

And finally create something more detailed.

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Unfinished perched hummingbird framed with cypress vine. Pencil and black pen.

I haven’t finished with my hummingbird inspiration….and I haven’t finished all that I have created so far. In fact I still am uncertain what exactly I will do with the different studies featured in this post. I know I will certainly revisit them as well as the inspiration of this post..

Not least because there is always a hummingbird in my garden. They really do enjoy the red sugary drink we put out for them.

Peaceful is a toddler napping!

We’ve been quite busy this week. Especially with S. So I haven’t been very creatively productive since before christmas. But this evening, a rare long nap, gave just enough time to progress on a few works in progress. And even start and complete (only just), a quick sketch of what exactly was enabling my rare opportunity to work.

Peaceful is a toddler napping <3

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sketch of S sleeping. Pen on paper

And the end of that peace is said toddler waking up in a cranky mood!

What’s your peaceful moment of the day?