42 Comments

I love discovering that almost more than writing, the thing we substackers seem to have in common is a love of birds 🪶✨

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Haha, you're right!! I've found so many delightful birdy posts on here :)

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These are so gorgeous! We love the blue jays and cardinals in our yard, too. You have captured all the gorgeous color and detail exquisitely!

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I'm so glad you take the time to appreciate your backyard treasures, too!

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Your paintings are so vibrant; like many here, I love feathers, both their intricate detail and the effect when they are layered in a clear and defined pattern. I am also glad that you have an interest in beaks, because these define birds as much as wing and tail feathers. Beautiful work. Arya the Cockatiel and I appreciate it.

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Glad you share an interest in their intricate patterns! So much to look at and admire on these tiny creatures.

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Yes; I agree. There is a whole world in each feather, to take liberty with John Donne's famous poem.

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So beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

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Thanks, Samantha!

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I am staying with my daughter in the US for the past one month and enjoying the company of and photographing these birds .

Your paintings are amazing and bring out the colours beautifully.

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Enjoy your stay in the US! I hope lots of beautiful birds stop by to visit you. :)

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Truly delightful! I love that black watercolor paper you used with your gouache. It really creates excellent contrast.

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Thank you, Heather! It's one of my favorite art combinations :)

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Exquisite! Since I live in the Southwest, we have different backyard birds (except we do have the Cardinal).

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Oh, I bet you get to enjoy red-shafted northern flickers? I've never seen one but I know they make their home in the West. Thanks for reading!

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Lovely painting Rosalie. Beautiful, beautiful work. I really dislike that term, "trash birds." I adore my backyard birds. They are all so colorful and full of personality.

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Thanks so much for reading, Pamela! Backyard birds make every day a little more interesting.

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these feathers are so rich and wonderful!🪶🪶🪶

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thank you! I had fun making them as vibrant as possible!

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Beautiful!

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Thanks, Linda :)

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Love this series! Really inspiring work Rosalie.

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Thanks, Mary!

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How wonderful! Our friend, Mark Baldwin used to work at the RTP Institute, but we have yet to visit. Perhaps we can in time to see your show when we're visiting western NY in late June. How long is it up? (I love your work and connected a friend to your online classes ;-)

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My work will be up through June 2nd. I hope you can make it! Amy Tan's new exhibit of backyard bird sketches will open on June 8th. I love all of RTPI's exhibits!

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Beautiful work. You continue to inspire.

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Thank you for reading and being encouraging, as always!

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My goodness. These are beautiful! You have inspired me to look closer in my back yard ❤️🐦‍⬛

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Thanks for reading, Carol! Enjoy that closer look :)

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Nice, can appreciate the large format. Lots of skill and time involved.

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My favorite part is blocking in that first layer with the gigantic brush. Not something you get to do too often with watercolor!

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Knew a guy who did large and vivid abstract watercolor landscapes (3' x 5' - 8' x 10') on canvas, using sponges. Had piles of paint that he dipped wet sponges into. Not very permanent, any water or dirt could ruin them, had no glazing to protect. All in all it looked like fun.

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My kids and I marveled at the details and colors!! We have been studying birds this past year and they have become obsessed with them. This added a great closeup look at them and I really appreciate that. As a fellow painter striving to improve my skill I love that you share so much about the sources and tools you use. Thank you!

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I'm glad you and your kids enjoyed the art! Sounds like you have a fun household with lots of nature inspiration :)

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We do, thank you! We moved to 5 acres of forested land with a pond last summer and we have had a ball exploring nature right outside our own door. Our nature journals are filling up fast.

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