Pairs

Lots of pairs in the park. This pair of chickadees was working on a nest.

 

First one

 

 

 

... and then off it flew to be replaced by the other...

 

of the pair. I tried unsuccessfully to get them both in one picture.

Next there were pairs of crows.

 

 

 

This pair were grooming each other.

 

This pair of Mallards was taking turns keeping watch, here she is dosing.

 

Then she wakes, and stretches ...

 

and he nods off.

 

Flower pairs:

 

 

 

And I couldn't resist taking pictures of shells on the high tide line, not exactly pairs.

 

 

Now here we have a pair of pears. Why you ask? 

 

Well I have been working on another set of recipe cards; watercolour paintings on cards, and each card contains a recipe card for the pictured ingredient.

 

So there you have it a pair of pears:

 

A pair of pears to pare.

 

Imagine the tongue twisting verse that could result ;^)

 

Here are some new paintings.

 

Two watercolours; first a Lily

 

 

and one of Gooseneck Barnacles.

 

 

And finally here is an ink and watercolour for a new food themed card:

 

 

These cards are 5" x 5" and include a recipe insert that features the pictured ingredient. What is the recipe for the walnuts ... you will have to go to my card website, PS Whimsy, and have a look. (Hint it is under the Food Icon and is the first of the Series 2 recipes).

 

Until next time...

Thank you for all your kind comments on my last post.

 

Thanks for stopping by,

 

happy Whimsy Wednesday,

 

 

Gillian. 

 

 

 



Tall, dark and handsome?

The last couple of weeks got swallowed up in projects and I completely forgot about blogging. Sorry.

So here is a post mostly devoted to crows. Well not so tall, but definitely dark and handsome.

Crows are fascinating birds to watch, or be watched by. Very intelligent and very curious birds. These birds may remember that I sometimes have a treat in my pocket for them.

Do you think?



Anticipation ...


 

 

Please..oh please..

 

pretty please ...

 

Well I just happen to have a few peanuts. Do crows like peanuts? Oh yes.

 

Not just one peanut, they cram as many as they can into their beaks. The crow below is "stacking" his peanuts.

 

 

How many nuts can one crow stuff into its beak? Well three is good but I have seen them occasionally get four at the same time, with one or two in their throat and a couple in the beak.

 

 

Impressive to watch. 

 

 

The crow below has a peanut sandwich in mind, also notice the small amount of greenery, that's 3 food groups together! Smart crow.

 

 

Just in case you are tiring of crows here are a ring-necked duck, a sparrow and a towhee, the towhee was taken through a window so the picture is not quite as crisp as I would like.

 

I have been busy painting, in fact I even painted a bird this week.

 

This one is almost finished, it is a watercolour of a Ring-necked duck. The photograph doesn't quite do it justice, when I am finished I will scan it and post it again.

 

 

I have been focussing on paintings of masks for display at Image West (2885 West Broadway, near MacDonald Street in Vancouver); the owner is happy to have a colourful rotating display of art on his walls and I am happy for the opportunity to display my work.

 

Image West is the hair salon I have been going to for many years, really great people, if you would like to see the art they would welcome you.

 

Here are two new mask paintings, both are watercolours.

 

Carnival 3: 

 

Carnival 4:

 

 

For more information about these paintings you can go to my website

 

www.gillianolsonart.com

 

or email me at

 

gillinthestudio@gmail.com

 

 

***

 

Well that is all I have for this week, hope you are all keeping well, take care of yourselves,

Happy Whimsy Wednesday,

Gillian 

 

 

 

Bird brain, who me?

Bird brain, may generally be considered an insult, but I am here to tell you that I am learning from the birds.

You may recall that after Christmas I started putting out peanuts for the birds; I expected jays but got crows, very faithful crows. I feed them a few whole peanuts and then when they are gone I put a few more out. I sometimes stand by with the camera but the crows usually outsmart me and grab the nuts when I am not looking. But not always ...............

Then one day I was a little late putting out the second serving of peanuts and there was suddenly a loud chorus of cawing; I was so surprised I got up immediately (I was at the computer) and fed the crows. OK, so they are smarter than me, but I seemed to learn fast so they give me reminders regularly now, LOL.

But a couple of weeks ago I was surprised and pleased to see that a Steller's Jay was also lining up for peanuts.

Then two, then six...... They often take the time to pick up each of the nuts offered, shake each of them and then go back to the "best" nut (heaviest?) and disappear with it.

The Steller's Jays are not shy. They don't even wait until I get back inside before they arrive to get the peanuts.

Now the crows are not amused by this. They found them first and now the Steller's Jays often take all the nuts while the standoffish crows watch. He doesn't look amused does he.

So more reminders about nuts from the crows. I went out and found a much bigger bag of peanuts too; had too.

Then the other day I was working in my studio, when a Steller's Jay came to look in at me and remind me more nuts were needed. Again I was so surprised that I got up right away and put out some more nuts.

So there is another thing I learned from the birds, I am a slow learner, but they are persistent.

They are such beautiful birds, I can't resist, and I still feed the crows too.

But they don't look happy at the prospect of sharing, do they?

At my house "bird brain" is definitely not an insult. I aspire to be as smart as my birdie friends.

Last week I promised more of the teddies and tigers series, and here they are:

First,"Are We There Yet?":

 And lastly, "Storytyme Magic":

The four pictures in this series are now on display at "Image West" hair salon. For more details follow this link: GillianOlsonArt

Thank you for dropping by, happy Whimsy Wednesday, until next week .....................