Oops….I started a bird painting series….

For several months now I’ve been working on a series I am calling Healing Botanicals, where I’ve been exploring different kinds of medicinal or helpful plants nature has to offer. I have several pieces in progress, a few are just waiting for their final touches before being hung to dry. I planned on wrapping up this series and then possibly starting a new one on either bridges or statues. But then something unexpected happened. A hawk landed in my front yard.

Not just a fleeting glimpse or a distant sighting—he was right there, massive and mesmerizing. I stood frozen, watching him, completely in awe. Compared to the songbirds fluttering around my feeder, he was a giant, a predator in the quiet sanctuary of my suburban yard. I watched him sit on our front step for awhile just looking around.  I later learned hawks are known to come into suburban areas in the winter and hunt at bird feeders. He was hunting the very birds I’d been enjoying watching at our feeders so much. That revelation shook me. I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

And of course, when something lodges itself so firmly in my mind, there’s only one thing to do—paint it.

 

A Quick Study, A Big Surprise

I didn’t set out to start a new series. The hawk was just a study, a quick exploration of something that had captured my mind. But when I shared it, the response was overwhelming. So many people loved it. Some even told me about their favorite birds, suggesting ones they’d love to see me paint next. That list of birds planted a seed.

 

A few days later I saw a bluejay casually sitting in a tree near the feeders. We hadn’t put any seeds out that they seemed to like but I think they were coming around to check it all out. So i decided to do another quick study, this time of a bluejay!

 

The Birds Kept Calling

I kept working on my Healing Botanicals series, but then a pair of cardinals started showing up at my feeder every day. Their bright red feathers against the winter branches, the way they chirped back and forth—it felt like they were calling me to paint them.

And cardinals specifically have always had a special place in my heart. My grandmother loved them; her home was filled with images of them. Just seeing one instantly makes me think of her and all the time i spent at her house admiring the bright red pops of color scattered around the walls. So, I gave in and painted my Frost and Fire Cardinal piece.

This little guy turned out to have so much character in his little face. Once collector told me that he reminded them of a cardinal they rescued named Larry. It was so surprising to me how many people were really resonating with these birds. This should have been the end of my bird detour, but seeing how much people were loving these bird pieces, I couldn’t’ stop thinking about all the other birds I would still love to paint!

 

New regulars at our feeder

I was really missing those bluejays, who didn't seem very interested in our food. So we put some peanuts out and within a week we had a pair of bluejays frequenting our yard. I love watching them. They have such beautiful feathers and they are so animated when they call out to each other. I even watched as one bluejay cracked open a peanut and brought it over to its mate in a nearby bush and fed it to her. And they make such an incredible range of sounds. I just love listening to them. By exploring them further I’ve learned they are related to crows, which explains so much about how they look and act. I even learned they mimic hawk calls—how wild is that? That sealed it for me. I had to paint one in all its glory. Bluejay’s Gaze was the result, and I love the way he turned out—sharp, intelligent, and full of personality.

 

Finding the Balance

Right now, I have a blue heron and a hummingbird in progress. And I’d love to start an owl and a mallard duck soon. But does this mean I’ve abandoned my Healing Botanicals series? Not at all. I’m just flowing between them, letting inspiration guide me.

In life, and in art, I try to be mindful of striking a balance—finishing what I start while also allowing space for detours. Sometimes, forcing myself to finish a piece when my heart is pulling me toward something new only drains my energy. The hawk, and everything that followed, wouldn’t’ have happened if I had rigidly stuck to my original series and only painted plants.

That’s something I’ve learned about creativity (and life, really). You have to listen to that inner voice, your intuition, your muse. Follow what sparks joy, but also recognize when to stay the course. For now, I’m going to keep balancing birds and plants, allowing my art to unfold naturally—just like the world outside my window at the feeders.

Have you ever had an unexpected obsession take over your creativity? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your own stories! Also, subscribe to stay tuned and for more behind the easel. I’ll be sharing the process of painting these finished pieces and as well as progress updates on each of these series. 

Until Next Time,