Graphite drawing, mixed media painted paper, beeswax on a wood panel 6”x6”x1” (sold)

The ever present chickadee at our bird feeders has an incredible memory. “The Black-capped Chickadee hides seeds and other food items to eat later. Each item is placed in a different spot and the chickadee can remember thousands of hiding places. “

~All About Birds (The Cornell Lab)

Graphite Drawing, river birch bark, beeswax on wood panel 6”x6”x1” ($225)

These birds swim and fly. I typically see them standing like this in my neighborhood drying out their wings. They always look regal with their head up, enjoying the day without a care. “The name Anhinga comes from the Tupi Indians in Brazil, meaning “devil bird” or “evil spirits in the woods”. ~All About Birds (The Cornell Lab)

Graphite drawing, wood textured paper, beeswax on a wood panel 6”x6”x1” (sold)

There are so many sparrows all with various chestnut, brown, white, and black speckles. I can never tell them apart. However, they are numerous and easy to spot in any part of the world.

Graphite drawing, paper collage, sweetgrass, glass in a wood frame.

Graphite drawing, print transfer of a constellation map, gold paint, branches, glass in a wood frame.

Graphite drawing, earth paper, beeswax on a wood panel 6”x6”x1” ($225)

Graphite Drawing, paper, light modeling paste, beeswax on wood panel 6”x6”x1” ($225)

Graphite drawing, textured paper, beeswax on a wood panel 6”x6”x1” ($225)

Graphite drawing, feathers, river birch tree bark, gold thread on paper.

Graphite drawing, paper, map, and beeswax on a wood panel 6”x6”x1” ($225)

These are most striking when they are standing with their wings outstretched to dry after swimming. Did you know they have aquamarine eyes and a mouth that is bright blue on the inside? Amazing.

Graphite drawing, wood textured paper, beeswax on a wood panel 6”x6”x1” ($225)

These little thieves will swoop down and take your sandwich right out of your hand on Folly Beach. Feed them, and you will have a flock barking at you all day for more.

Graphite drawing, map, beeswax on a wood panel 6”x6”x1” ($225)

The Osprey’s chirp is distinct and one I hear often around my house. Fun fact about these birds: When flying with fish prey, an Osprey lines up its catch head first for less wind resistance. They also may log more than 160,000 migration miles during their 15-to-20-year lifetime. (The Cornell Lab)

Graphite Drawing, paper, beeswax on wood panel 6”x6”x1” ($225)

These are plentiful in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. So much so our neighborhood is called “Egrets Point”. Unlike the Great Blue Heron that stands still for hours, I see this one animated and walking back and forth looking for its prey under the water.

Graphite drawing, photograph (Seaside Creek), beeswax on a wood panel 6”x6”x1” (NFS)

This secretive bird lives in the saltwater marsh. I have only seen one, but have heard it many times while paddling in Charleston. Its sound is very distinct. They have an adaptive salt glad that allows them to drink salt water!

Graphite drawing, dried cactus wood, beeswax on wood panel 6”x6”x1” (sold)

I drew this little bird with her beak open because her song is incredibly loud. Have you ever heard one sing? She is mighty.

Graphite drawing, map, beeswax on wood panel 6”x6”x1” (sold)

I had an experience with a red-tailed hawk in my neighborhood the other day. I saw it twice while jogging. The second time it was within ten feet and we had some serious eye contact for about a minute while it perched on a mailbox.

Graphite drawing, red birch tree bark, beeswax on wood panel 6”x6”x1” (sold)

This bird encounter is one I have had my whole life. The mourning dove coo is a sound I have heard every place I have lived from the Midwest to the Northeast and now in the Southeastern United States. Of course, it is a very common bird so it’s not surprising. However, whenever I hear it, I feel a sense of calm. As if the common thread to life is all around us and it’s just a matter of dialing in all our senses. I had a tattoo of its feather created on my arm for this very reason.

Graphite on paper 11”x14”

Graphite, pastel on paper 11”x14”

Graphite, gold leaf on paper 11”x14”

Graphite drawing, pastel, vintage music sheet, beeswax on wood panel 6”x6”x1” (sold)

This little bird flew right into the window outside my classroom. I went down to check on it, but it had already died. It was a beautiful yellow and green. This little piece of art is dedicated to that beauty.

Graphite drawing, map, beeswax on wood panel 6”x6”x1” (sold)

Is this your goose that flew south? You can have it back now.

Graphite drawing, textured paper, beeswax on wood panel 6”x6”x1” (sold)

A keen eye and patience are needed to see these quickies visit the garden. They love the Blue African Sage plants in my front yard and see them while eating my meals in the kitchen.

Graphite drawing, pastel, map, beeswax on wood panel 6”x6”x1” (sold)

The cardinal is often seen as a messenger from those we have lost. I observed this sweet bird feeding its young at a local park.

Graphite drawing, map, grass, beeswax on wood panel 6”x6”x1” (sold)

In my backyard, there was a flock of birds chatting and flittering around in the bamboo. I couldn’t see them but their singing was familiar. Did you know there is an app to identify bird songs? It’s called Song Sleuth. I recorded their singing and it identified several birds at first. The second recording was more clear and identified the red-winged blackbird. Sure enough, a few popped out of the bamboo so I could see them. I don’t see them as much as I used to. I suspect it is the loss of habitat since two plots of forest have been plowed down for housing in my neighborhood over the last six years.

Graphite drawing, stamps, beeswax on wood panel 6”x6”x1” (sold)

The crow is always a bit magical to me. Their intelligence is well documented. If you think they are watching you, they are. Knowing this, I used stamps (my husband’s old collection) as a nod to human history as if they have been watching and shaking their heads all these years at us. Hahaha!

Graphite and pastel drawing, pulp paper, yellow-bellied sapsucker feathers, beeswax on wood panel 6”x6”x1” (sold)

These feathers were given to me by a friend and I have held on to them waiting for the right time to use them. When I noticed a yellow-bellied sapsucker pecking at my neighbor’s tree looking for bugs, I knew it was time.

Graphite drawing, map, sweet grass, cheesecloth, beeswax on a wood panel 6”x6”x1” (sold)

Wood storks have a special place in my heart. Have you seen them gliding on the thermals? Once endangered, they are now back due to conservation efforts.

Graphite drawing, textured paper, beeswax on a wood panel 6”x6”x1” (sold)

There are several families of wood ducks that have made their home in our neighborhood pond. Have you seen them swim? Wow, are they speedy! Maybe that is how they have survived so well given the number of outdoor cats around here. That and I saw my neighbor feeding them.

Graphite and pastel drawing, pressed plant on paper, beeswax on a wood panel 6”x6”x1” (sold)

The merganser swims to catch their fish. It is a sight to see! I drew the female because I saw her more than the male. She has a warm cinnamon color. The paper used in this piece was given to me by a biologist. The plants you see are pressed into the paper under extreme pressure to maintain their delicate shape and color.

Graphite drawing, pastel, textured paper, beeswax on a wood panel 6”x6”x1” (sold)

The painted bunting is gorgeous! This drawing is nothing compared to the real bird. They are fairly common in the coastal Southeast where I live.

Graphite drawing, textured paper, beeswax on a wood panel 6”x6”x1” (sold)

This large woodpecker was spotted during a recent visit to James Island County Park Campground. Their size will make you stop in your tracks! Here is an interesting fact about them from Cornell Lab All About Birds, “The nest holes these birds make offer crucial shelter o many species including swifts, owls, ducks, bats, and pine martins.”