Raptor Rhapsody

Here is a collage of six hawk paintings

done in the past two weeks.

These paintings were all done on Yupo paper.

Yupo (pronounced You-po), paper is a recyclable, tree-free, synthetic paper which does not absorb water, so the transparent watercolor pigments sit on top of the surface. It is tricky to work on but very forgiving. It can be scrubbed back to the clean surface at any time prior to fixing it with a clear acrylic spray. YAHOO FOR YUPO!

One of the reasons we have so many hummingbirds here at The Sandarosa, is because we also have a healthy colony of Coopers Hawks. The hummingbirds build their nests close to Ms. Cooper's Clan. Too small to be of any interest to a hawk, the crows and other hummingbird predators stay clear or else. It's a very symbiotic relationship.

Ms. Coopers Hawk - Hummingbird Protector 5.5" x 7.5" original watercolor on Yupo paper, matted - $85. acid free, white core mat with a foam core backing in an acetate sleeve ready to fit into a standard 8" x 10" frame.

Ms. Coopers Hawk - Hummingbird Protector

5.5" x 7.5" original watercolor on Yupo paper, matted - $85.

acid free, white core mat with a foam core backing in an acetate sleeve

ready to fit into a standard 8" x 10" frame.

This is the same painting as the one below,

only without the background.

*I'd love to know, do you like it better with

or without the background?

Regal Red Tail 5.5" x 7.5" original watercolor on Yupo paper, matted - $85. acid free, white core mat with a foam core backing in an acetate sleeve ready to fit into a standard 8" x 10" frame.

Regal Red Tail

5.5" x 7.5" original watercolor on Yupo paper, matted - $85.

acid free, white core mat with a foam core backing in an acetate sleeve

ready to fit into a standard 8" x 10" frame.

On the home front, the kittens, Opie and Cutie Pye, are now 10 months old! How time flies when they are little!  Opie weighs about 8 lbs. now and looks as large as 15 lb.,Tigger because of all his hair. The boys like to sleep in the little wicker basket. And the petite Ms.Cutie Pye, at only 6lbs.2 oz., prefers the large dog bed. Go figure! ☺

Thanks for stopping by today. 

Have a great weekend everyone!

Hugs and Purrs, 

(And the Kitties)

P.S. Before you leave, please help me out with your opinion * above.

Thanks again! 

Hawk Totem

Hawk people tend to see an overall view of things and are more aware of signs and messages from the Spirit world. Individuals with hawk as a totem are often more evolved in that they are attuned to heightened physic perception and subtle energy forces. Because hawk is a visionary messenger, people with this totem often tend to be involved in some form of creativity as a vehicle in conveying their story.

Hawk Totem

5.5" x 7.5" original watercolor on Yupo paper, matted - $85.

acid free, white core mat with a foam core backing in an acetate sleeve

ready to fit into a standard 8" x 10" frame.

Here are some of the steps in painting this portrait.

This little American Kestrel,

actually a small falcon,

was inspired by one who sits on

the telephone lines up the street.

Like clockwork, he'll be there every morning,

waiting for his breakfast to show up.

Kolorful Kestrel

5.5" x 7.5" original watercolor on Yupo paper, matted - $85.

acid free, white core mat with a foam core backing in an acetate sleeve

ready to fit into a standard 8" x 10" frame.

Thanks for letting me come into your life.

"Humankind has not woven the web of life. 

We are but one thread within it. 

Whatever we do to the web,

we do to ourselves. 

All things are bound together. 

All things connect."  

~ Chief Seattle, 1855

X ♥  O

Dream Hawk

“If you talk to the animals, they will talk with you

and you will know each other.

If you do not talk to them, you will not know them

and what you do not know, you will fear.

What one fears one destroys.”

~Chief Dan George

Dream Hawk

See painting specifications and price here.

Do you remember your dreams?

Are they ever about animals?

If so, what animals come to you in the dreamtime

and what might their messages be?

Thanks for reading.

Follow your dreams and have a great day!

"An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language."

~ Martin Buber

Hawk Messenger ~ SOLD

This time of year, the hawks seem to be out in full force. I see them soaring in the air, perching in the trees and standing on the ground. Maybe it's partially due to the fact that they are easier to see in the winter landscape.  According to my beliefs, it also has a lot to do with the messages they are bringing me. Right now there are many changes going on here at The Sandarosa with me and my artwork. Hawk is here to remind me that everything in the visible, physical world has a divine, invisible connection. Everything, including a hawk crossing your path, happens for a reason. I try to stay open to that. This week I have been painting hawks and have even remembered to take a couple of in-progress shots of this one! When was the last time you saw a beautiful hawk? What was it doing? How did it make you feel?

Hawk Messenger

SOLD

The work in progress:

The first thing I do when I am painting a portrait is to paint the eyes because they are the windows to the soul and they must be right. Here I also painted the dark beak and put a light wash on the body.

In this second step, more mid-value washes and some details were added.

Refining important details by adding darker mid-values to the bird and putting in the suggestive, soft green background hues brought this piece to a finish.

Please let me know if you are interested in seeing more work-in-progress shots in the future and I'll try to remember to stop and take a few snaps while I'm painting.

As always, thanks for reading

and for your interest.