Cardinals
Here is the final wall piece for my June show. I'm not quite finished on the bird theme with more small works to be added throughout the show as many are already flying away to new homes.
I'm also really pleased to be taking part in the Junction Arts birthday show in at the end of June which is on the theme of birds too.

This one is about companionship and the sort of comfortable relationship that allows you to be yourself completely with another. The sort of relationship that doesn't feel like hard work, doesn't need drama or compromise- its just a good fit. It can be about love or about friendship or family, those people who are closest and special to you.
Its a little affirmation that wherever you are there is someone who is that special companion, a partner, a spouse, a soul mate, a parent or a wonderful friendship. Maybe my little cardinals are still searching but ever hopeful, maybe they have already found happiness together but one thing is certain, they are just comfortable to be who they are. 

 

The Jay & the Jewel
This one has been in progress most of the week so happy to be finished, lots of layers of blue here and I really enjoyed doing him.
The piece is about how we covet beautiful things. It's human nature to collect precious items or to adorn ourselves and we have been doing this since primitive times. My own personal weakness is gemstones and jewellery I guess and I probably have more than is actually possible to wear.
The piece is a reminder that the most beautiful jewels are to be found in nature, the living, breathing creatures and plants that make our planet what it is and how we need to look after it. I could go on and on here about what we don't do or need to do but it's just a simple message I though about when drawing a lovely Jay, so common but yet so exotic and precious too. Hope you like him :)

The Jay & the Jewel (Ink on Illustration Board). For our June Exhibition at Peterculter Heritage Hall "Folklore, Figures & Feathers" with Tracey Swift.

The Nights Are Drawing In
My inspiration for this piece was rather spontaneous. My friend Robin Key has been very kind and encouraging towards my art. I exhibited with Robin at North East Open Studios last year at Aberdeen Waldorf School and look forward to that again this year. Robin is a fine art jeweler working in precious metals and precious and semi precious stones (which I also love). So this piece is literally a Robin with a Key. "The Nights are Drawing In" is probably a native Scottish expression I think- to describe the dark nights in the lead up to winter when the clocks turn back. It's a bit out of season to be drawing a wee robin red breast but I really wanted to include one in this series.

My next 2 pieces are celebrating common yet very exotic looking birds from the US- The Blue Jay and the Red Cardinal. I enjoyed doing my cheeky Cardinal so much that I'm doing a pair of them and I wanted to do another Jay after including them in my "Jackalope Garden" piece. After those I plan to get back to my Pheasant drawing, which is not quite worked out in full yet.

Original currently on reserve for a viewing

    

A Wise One Waits
Here is my latest piece- a wise Barn Owl. This piece is about "patience" and trusting that good things will happen at the right time. I sometimes think that's a very good attitude to have in life or maybe at least the balance between "making" things happen and allowing things to unfold.
Just as I was writing this the wonderful CURVY publication from Australia featured him on their face book page, a wonderful and unexpected surprise !!

Original Reserved

Thank You
A big thank you to Gallery Heinzel today for featuring my peacock piece "Sovereign" in their ArtMag advert. ArtMag is a free publication which can be found in most galleries throughout Scotland.
Our show "Animal Inspirations" which includes my year long project "Whisper of the Sith" is now showing at Gallery Heinzel until the 1st June.

You can preview all the works for sale on the Gallery website. Gallery Heinzel subscribes to the Own Art Scheme which gives interest free loans on original artworks (payable over a 10 month period and subject to credit check).

 

Two Little Wrens
My next two bird pieces were both Wrens- so tiny and cute and round. They are both on the theme of "Love". The next one is in progress and will be a wise Barn Owl, one of my favourite birds to return to, look out for it soon. The birds will be part of my June exhibition at Peterculter Heritage Hall.

 I Give You My Heart- Ink & Gold Leaf- Original Reserved

The Key to My Heart - Ink & Gold Leaf

Take me where the wind blows

Here is my next little bird piece. This one is about freedom and being spontaneous. I love to watch the swallows and swifts at this time of year darting about and making their nests and knowing that their sense of "home" is just a fleeting seasonal thing.
I have a disability which requires careful management and "pacing" so just popping out to do something new and spontaneous is difficult and I "forget" to try new things often because of that, sometimes just seeing my obvious limitations. My idea of being spontaneous is often something really mundane like matching up my sock drawer and although this feels like an achievement its not really and truly something "fun".  
So another little "affirmation" piece to remind me to try harder at finding fun things to do :) I hope it makes you think of having adventures too (however big or small). 

Take me where the wind blows- Ink & Gold Leaf

Reserved for a customer