December Chickadee

6x8 watercolor and gouache on Hahnemuhle 95 lb grey toned paper done yesterday; ref courtesy Joy K. as part of WetCanvas Animal/Wildlife challenge this month. I edited the background and added a winter scene using white gouache for snow. COPYRIGHT 2021 Kay Smith

Branch Shadows

5.5x5.5 watercolor, acrylic, and white gel pen on Arteza 110 lb cold press paper done last week using stencils, pulled prints, and stamps except for the bird that was sketched in pencil first. In this imaginary composition we can imagine the bird being alone amongst the green foliage and shadows. COPYRIGHT 2021 Kay Smith

Chickadee Grasses

5.5x5.5 watercolor on Arteza 110 lb paper done on first of this month, an imaginary bird in landscape design. COPYRIGHT 2021 Kay Smith

Chickadee and Forsythia

3.75x6.25 watercolor and gouache on Saunders 140 lb cold press paper sketched yesterday then painted today from my chickadee photos. COPYRIGHT 2021 Kay Smith

Chickadee Waiting for Winter

18x24 watercolor on Fabriano rough 140 lb cold press paper done over this week, an autumn scene with golden brown trees dimly seen in the background and a lone chickadee watching and waiting for winter on an old broken fence. In this country landscape with a bird, I tried to show the center of interest as it relates to the whole cycle of nature. COPYRIGHT 2020 Kay Smith

Bird Neighborhood

15x11 watercolor, brush only, on Canson 140 lb cold press paper done today, another total imaginary scene.  The faded pink birdhouse is from one of my travels as are the goldfinch, hummingbird, and blackcapped chickadee inside.  Foliage and picket fence also are made up so hope the bird neighborhood is believable.  I do think my hummer is too large but it will have to do for now.  These three birds are anticipating Spring!
Image is COPYRIGHT 2015 Kay Smith.

As the Crow Flies

10.5x8 mixed media collage on matboard started yesterday and finished today.  There are 3 birds in this composition.  Materials used:
watercolor, stamps, handmade paper w/acrylic, India ink, Staedtler Lumocolor black pen, old paperback novel pages, black felt tip pen. I did this for Sketchbook Skool and any chance to paint crows I jump at usually or any bird.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2014 Kay Smith.

Chickadee Crevasse

12x9 watercolor on Canson 140 lb cold press paper, drawn yesterday with a brush only and painted maybe 1/3 of it, finishing up today.  An abstract pink, orange and green background paired with neutral palette mix/soup greys are a soft foil for the little bird, another in my blackcapped chickadee series.  He appears to be at the edge of a large crevasse looking down, hence the title.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2014 Kay Smith.

Chickadee with Watercan and Pansies - Demo

11x15 watercolor floral still life with bird and watering can, a demo done last night for Brownfield Art Association.  I had previously drawn the composition that featured my old metal watercan and fresh pansies, photographed a few years ago.  The chickadee was added as if he just flew by and stopped to check out the Spring colorful annuals, and will fit nicely into my series.  This was a timed demonstration of one hour, wet on dry using Canson 140 lb paper with Daniel Smith paints.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2014 Kay Smith.

Chickadee Carol

6.75x9.75 acrylic on board, another in my chickadee series.  The abstract background is seen in image below.

For abstract backgrounds, I am using a 5x7 mat and placing it here and there on a full sheet (22x30) acrylic abstract painting done several years ago.  Then after taping the mat to an interesting section, I copy the isolated design onto prepared acid free mat board, then decide what bird to place on it as the center of interest, a realistic subject on a randomly painted support.  This bottom image was taken with my iPhone and its colors are not as vivid as the scanned finished blackcapped chickadee version.  An easier way to do the subject would be to simply take a pair of scissors and cut out an interesting rectangle, then paint the bird on top.  But I did not want to destroy the original painting.
Images are COPYRIGHT 2014 Kay Smith.

Chickadee Migration

15x30 watercolor on Fabriano hot press paper that was coated with heavy gel medium. Three 6" squares were blocked off and covered. After stamping into the gel, I let it dry, then drew shapes and wrote words 'chickadee migration', covered all with blue and gold watercolor, then wiped off all paint. Next I carved out tree branches and limbs. Into the middle square I painted a bird's nest with eggs and let the painting tell me what it needed. A black crow appeared in the left square and far right a speckled leaf that uses repetition along with the eggs.