Plumes, paintings.. and Interlopers

I'm always on the lookout for a pretty feather. Living in a rural area, there are often lots to be found. My chicky babes are starting to moult, which means feathers galore. And our spectacularly coloured wild birds - rainbow lorikeets, galahs, cockatoos, and rosellas to name a few - often leave behind a lovely gift.<br /><br />Lately, a little kingfisher has taken up residency in one of our gum trees. For those who aren't familiar with them, kingfishers are similar to mini kookaburras, but with lovely blue plumage. I'm hoping to find a feather left for me, but until then I've taken some artistic licence and painted my own version:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRtt8lD-QdLGpKHOhDPjHddYf1MFEzerviYe6DTO4jp7SaWvaMBHoehuJiHaJ2dS-NIpUPpc8b-I3VoVxu0Qt6JzSuHPbzoAhZBM1TBEqjFeuw_uQEWJqPqI2v3dPRMGZwLtJf5R2CNR8/s1600/blue+feather+watermarked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRtt8lD-QdLGpKHOhDPjHddYf1MFEzerviYe6DTO4jp7SaWvaMBHoehuJiHaJ2dS-NIpUPpc8b-I3VoVxu0Qt6JzSuHPbzoAhZBM1TBEqjFeuw_uQEWJqPqI2v3dPRMGZwLtJf5R2CNR8/s640/blue+feather+watermarked.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">'Kingfisher'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">watercolour on paper</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">210mm x 297mm</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">original sold, prints available in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/92647593/feather-print-kingfisher-8x10">Etsy store</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Speaking of artistic licence, sometimes paintings seem to take on a life of their own. One of my goals for the year is to leave some time each week just for creating - no set plan, no set ideas, just playing around. I'd been asked to paint some peacock feathers, and I have quite a few on the go, but this one took an unexpected turn. Instead of the usual brilliant blues and greens like the others I've done, this one is a study in white. Black & white is always a winner in my book, so why not white peacock feathers with a twist? This one is painted using gouache and ink for something different:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabjMCJPqNusUEHghiIuJbWJO5HjfXOOqRtmTsHueAOhIkZ3cgWzqvFbmFOk_sX5FouXG8CJR26R0TyWMtUe3br8hEQ0Rnp-14dmeLiY7eKlmJC4fwbTPsO7Q3k6V_-5elQnhWh39GJuiE/s1600/white+feather+b&w+watermarked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabjMCJPqNusUEHghiIuJbWJO5HjfXOOqRtmTsHueAOhIkZ3cgWzqvFbmFOk_sX5FouXG8CJR26R0TyWMtUe3br8hEQ0Rnp-14dmeLiY7eKlmJC4fwbTPsO7Q3k6V_-5elQnhWh39GJuiE/s640/white+feather+b&w+watermarked.jpg" width="448" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">'Plume'</div><div style="text-align: center;">Gouache and ink on paper</div><div style="text-align: center;">210mm x 297mm</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've decided to release a limited number of original watercolours over the next few months, as well as more limited edition prints. As a rule, I tend to sell prints only, unless they're commissions. As I've had so many enquiries, please feel free to send me an email if you'd like to know when these are released, and I'll add you to my mailing list. I'm also planning on some regular newletters, so drop me a line if that interests you as well.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's a few of my collection of feathers that are likely to make an appearance in a painting over the next few months. The white feathers (with the lovely yellow tint) are from our white cockatoos. They nest in a massive gum tree (commonly known around here as the Nursery Tree, as it seems every critter sets up shop in its many hollow branches), and every day I find feathers on the ground. So pretty. The darkest ones are from my hen, Gladys, who, along with her cronies, sits outside my studio while I paint:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdoBsHfiQATERG3e8l0Vix_MVsaiqWqUjps6J0etIhOmfM3_4LG6_456YvgiZ8rMtPtNDDXKU6nYSStooT14qwtnD7JzRApBwNH9U_oy5qkhLWXqazz0iezDzZCs6RtNrZYrOfcOy6Zne/s1600/feather+collection+resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdoBsHfiQATERG3e8l0Vix_MVsaiqWqUjps6J0etIhOmfM3_4LG6_456YvgiZ8rMtPtNDDXKU6nYSStooT14qwtnD7JzRApBwNH9U_oy5qkhLWXqazz0iezDzZCs6RtNrZYrOfcOy6Zne/s640/feather+collection+resize.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sadly, we're down to only three chooks nowdays. The Mr calls the henhouse the retirement village, as our guys seem to live longer than any others I've ever known. Our oldest (and sweetest) girl, Doris, died last year at the ripe old age of 13, which is pretty good going in chook years. Only one of the girls still lays, bless her, but I wouldn't be without them - their entertainment value alone is well worth it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeU0eXx-nhJIVvi6Dv-82MRASx3Ep_wjuhlPnRstHzAO0QI7Krf2lD2KQjlVlyrnEJYqwo5u4likin-jUEHIAZkl9wFY9T5R23F_q3ZAdJCNXccl0wrAovA6TO54SZm6KQscztH51umV0J/s1600/chooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeU0eXx-nhJIVvi6Dv-82MRASx3Ep_wjuhlPnRstHzAO0QI7Krf2lD2KQjlVlyrnEJYqwo5u4likin-jUEHIAZkl9wFY9T5R23F_q3ZAdJCNXccl0wrAovA6TO54SZm6KQscztH51umV0J/s640/chooks.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">our sweet Doris on the right, along with Hot & Spicy (the black and gold Wyandottes) and Gladys. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We seem to have a bit of mexican stand-off happening atm. The Interlopers (the newbies from next door) have taken to visiting our place, which is not taken too kindly by our lot. Don't need a chicken whisperer to know what they're thinking - the body language speaks volumes. Will try to get a good shot if I can - priceless.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So after a terribly rambling post, that's it for me. I'm off to finish a commission for a lovely lady, so I'll see you next week with all the deets. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Have a good one,</div><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>

Plumes, paintings.. and Interlopers

I'm always on the lookout for a pretty feather. Living in a rural area, there are often lots to be found. My chicky babes are starting t...

Read more »

Feather your nest

I've always been a bit of a collector. As a kid, I used to keep little white pebbles (or 'lucky stones' as we called them), leaf skeletons, coral and shells from our beach holidays (along with a few poor little hermit crabs that I used to stash in the car without my parents' knowledge )....and feathers. I always loved finding feathers, particularly white ones, as my Nan used to tell me they were good luck. The gorgeous patterns and colours always appealed to my artistic side, too. So here's a little feather study I did the other day:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNfH-xRnGulVfLioFPz4dckp_WImsA8VceC86ZgTzWUWnwxFHTjX_rsZ7HgucuLEYOedodxSG16y45bmIzW-62IADIqKbF2wtMmSR6PBQwRpG5qdMPaf-uFf3vvnKf6Rjalce_mmT8zRs/s1600/feather+painting+may+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNfH-xRnGulVfLioFPz4dckp_WImsA8VceC86ZgTzWUWnwxFHTjX_rsZ7HgucuLEYOedodxSG16y45bmIzW-62IADIqKbF2wtMmSR6PBQwRpG5qdMPaf-uFf3vvnKf6Rjalce_mmT8zRs/s640/feather+painting+may+2011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">'Collected'</div><div style="text-align: center;">watercolour on paper </div><div style="text-align: center;">210mm x 297mm</div><div style="text-align: center;">prints available in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/75055615/collected-new-watercolour-painting">Etsy shop</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br />I'm thinking I may start a series of feather paintings - and peacock feathers are next on my list.I found this pic the other day:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbWnvwdSVb9QmYXQGWZwQ7LkgmM-w6DaBbcMsi0M2VVEXlXEu5sZEfvWXdevBxc2a3F35l5-1gU0A04WWkUhTFxpYqzST2Q1Jz1tf950vKh6XoOgRb6hCY99avBJhZhp3a2UVRYfXt-3g/s1600/feathers+peacock-feather-centerpiece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbWnvwdSVb9QmYXQGWZwQ7LkgmM-w6DaBbcMsi0M2VVEXlXEu5sZEfvWXdevBxc2a3F35l5-1gU0A04WWkUhTFxpYqzST2Q1Jz1tf950vKh6XoOgRb6hCY99avBJhZhp3a2UVRYfXt-3g/s640/feathers+peacock-feather-centerpiece.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.themeweddingboutique.com/">source</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">They are lovely, aren't they? I personally would never use feathers unless I found them myself - I hate the thought of how some of them are harvested, but they're undeniably beautiful. </div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I know the ultimate bowerbird, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.thesocietyinc.com.au">Sibella Court</a>, is partial to the odd feather or twelve...</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHzCk9ppoRXO3DCiRz4H8vlPb1AJNZ2hnKIead9D0893TIp0twtu5fmwvSmquwqW6_y8NesP-p2KIs9lhJqyrjiPCYoZkVi5SpmBSMDyfdIcbKpilduTYjhvsRYiXuSxhA7YjCWbwgcjk/s1600/feathers+sibella6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHzCk9ppoRXO3DCiRz4H8vlPb1AJNZ2hnKIead9D0893TIp0twtu5fmwvSmquwqW6_y8NesP-p2KIs9lhJqyrjiPCYoZkVi5SpmBSMDyfdIcbKpilduTYjhvsRYiXuSxhA7YjCWbwgcjk/s640/feathers+sibella6.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcyzrrke3G8hlrIzIR1QjH9DL_v-R855ZR1PeaJdMqzetKX_dQu8UKSntWxiWUIkMRjTdXXw8tVyPiLxaemnvgrsUmkiQSkGA_w0D7ZxRC9hLAJrAREaxIjlfOkqsYK0xroZlz95moJHI/s1600/feathers+DSC_3603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcyzrrke3G8hlrIzIR1QjH9DL_v-R855ZR1PeaJdMqzetKX_dQu8UKSntWxiWUIkMRjTdXXw8tVyPiLxaemnvgrsUmkiQSkGA_w0D7ZxRC9hLAJrAREaxIjlfOkqsYK0xroZlz95moJHI/s640/feathers+DSC_3603.jpg" width="538" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPWnXN4Fum-rPgG7wari0sMgnjoDeOOJvAXbafOScr5iPrLYhpBmI2wJLj-DzJRbFLdqFxL-r-VvsKOMaoK7s34dXugR3kFQBnwiw8P6a5uQqYRaoYKXAqjeXgJujP4OsjSQh-oCP5gbc/s1600/feather+sibella+court+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPWnXN4Fum-rPgG7wari0sMgnjoDeOOJvAXbafOScr5iPrLYhpBmI2wJLj-DzJRbFLdqFxL-r-VvsKOMaoK7s34dXugR3kFQBnwiw8P6a5uQqYRaoYKXAqjeXgJujP4OsjSQh-oCP5gbc/s640/feather+sibella+court+3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">all images <a href="http://thesocietyinc.com/">The Society Inc</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">...so I'm in fine company. What about you - are you collectors? Tell me everything.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Feather your nest

I've always been a bit of a collector. As a kid, I used to keep little white pebbles (or 'lucky stones' as we called them), leaf...

Read more »