Titmouse Print

I have had alot of birds at my feeder this year. The Titmouse pairs are one of my favorite. I think the drought has made food scarce and I keep my feeder full for them.

This recent rain should get the bug population booming for the birds. Mosquitoes in particular!

I am interested in the images that show movement. I am working on one last print in flight and then it's time for more pastels.

Cedar Waxwing finished

I wrote my letter yesterday and this is the finished version.

Cedar Waxwing

This is the third stage of this print. Next I will write the letter.

New Cardinal

I have another cardinal print that I didn't like much, so I did another one with a circular design. I thought it was interesting. I have several pairs this year at my feeder and they are the most amazing red. I want to do another with the colors of the female.

In this letter I wrote Dad about a dream I had of him in his Navy uniform on a big ship with me beside him. It was the first time in a long time I didn't think about him on his death bed, but rather in his prime, standing proud.

I think this is turning point in my grief process. It feels so uplifting to have a wider perspective of his life in my thoughts.

Letter to Dad - Chickadee

I left this print in black and white. I have been experimenting with color but felt this one was simplified enough to leave it alone.

Hummers

I couldn't decide whether to put some color on the birds or the flowers. So this is one version.

House Finch Print

I am using a water based ink that dries permanent so that I can come in with watercolor and put in some color.

This is a three part printing process. First I print the flowers or branches. Then the bird, and finally the color. Then I sit down and write the letter.

Each letter is different and is spontaneous. I got the reference photo for this Finch in my parents ornamental pear tree when it was in bloom. One of those perfect moments.

Background block

This is the carved block for the background of the print. The block will be inked with a gold water based relief ink. This is done first so that any overlap of the images will result in the black on top.

I started out using two different blocks, but now use one block with the bird on the "good" smooth side, and the background on the slightly textured side. This has saved on blocks piling up in my studio.

Block printing

This is the first block I carved for the print of a house wren. the negative spaces are taken out so that the ink just stays on the high parts.

Next I will show you the background block

"Baby Tiger" dream

Second in the series

"Bobcat" dream

I have been working with images from my dreams. This is a series of tigers and bobcats that are used as a support for the words of my dreams.

It is a medium that I have not worked with in a long time and I am really enjoying. It is very direct and precise.