12 Bird Birthday Prints

PRINT PRE-ORDER Lady Cardina... TheArtofMichel... $12.5	PRINT PRE-ORDER Love at Firs... TheArtofMichel... $36	PRINT PRE-ORDER Capped Chick... TheArtofMichel... $12.5	PRINT PRE-ORDER Red Tailed H... TheArtofMichel... $25
PRINT PRE-ORDER Beautiful Pe... TheArtofMichel... $18	PRINT PRE-ORDER Goldeneye Du... TheArtofMichel... $18	PRINT PRE-ORDER Three Tiny H... TheArtofMichel... $30	PRINT PRE-ORDER Pelican 11x1... TheArtofMichel... $36
PRINT PRE-ORDER Flying Finch... TheArtofMichel... $16	PRINT PRE-ORDER Barn Owl 11x... TheArtofMichel... $36	PRINT PRE-ORDER California Q... TheArtofMichel... $18	PRINT PRE-ORDER Dark Raven 8... TheArtofMichel... $18

Guess who turns 26 today! This girl. And to celebrate (aside from going out to eat twice in one day) I've decided to release all my birds as prints! You can now pre-order any bird print of your choice. The peacock and swans come in two sizes for those of you who would prefer slightly smaller versions of the originals. Since I don't print these in house I currently am not stocked with inventory, which means the processing time for each print might take just a few extra days. Shop here or click on any of the images above!

Should I take off work early today? Mm I think that's a yes. My mom's coming over to take me out to lunch pretty soon and hopefully Seth and I can skip out of here some time this weekend for a fun day outside. He offered to take me to one of my favorite nearby wildlife parks (he knows me so well). And since the weather is absolutely gorgeous these days I am definitely taking him up on his offer! Hope your weekend is just as fun!

12 Bird Challenge: A Film

*This video is high definition and may take a few minutes to load. But I promise, it's worth the wait. :)

I'm so excited to announce that all of the paintings from my 12 Bird Challenge are in the shop and available for purchase here! To celebrate and to answer some questions I've been getting about how the birds were created and how they're mounted I created a fun little film to show you. It takes you through the whole process- from inspiration to final painting- in 3 short minutes. I'm really starting to love these short films! It's so fun to remember how it all started and then see it all come together in the end. Hope you enjoy.

Thank you so very much for following along for the past 12 days! Your support is so so appreciated. 

And even with the foot and a half of snow on the ground right now, I still want to say HAPPY SPRING!

Click here to visit my 12 birds in the shop.

12 Bird Challenge: Three Tiny Hummers

Three Tiny Hummers
Watercolor and Ink on paper, mounted 12x12"

Less than two weeks ago these walls in my office studio (just right of where I'm sitting now) were bare and boring. Now they're filled with birds! My last painting in this 12 Bird Challenge is a group of three bright hummingbirds. They are tiny but loud and love to sing sing sing!

Growing up my parents would always have hummingbird feeders outside the kitchen windows. They were obsessed. Whenever one of us saw a little hummer we'd yell "hummingbird!" and whoever cared (typically only my parents and my nerd self) would run into the room to catch a quick glimpse. Sometimes I don't realize how big of a nerd I am until I tell a story like that. Or until one of my three sisters reminds me. :)

Anyways, they are all done now! Phew. I am glad about that. All the paintings will be available for purchase via my Etsy shop on Monday, March 25th at 9 am CST. I'll have one last post for you on Monday with a link and a last surprise. In the meantime I'll be busy getting the listings ready and taking photos! Thank you so much for following along! I've been loving all the feedback on Facebook and Instagram.

*This painting is part of a 12 Bird Challenge that ran from March 11 to the 22.  All paintings will be for sale on the 25th.

12 Bird Challenge: Goldeneyed Swimmer

Little Quacker
Watercolor and Ink on paper, mounted 8x10"

Last summer I visited Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago after a few days of visiting this girl. It was a little overcast and the zoo was large and open with very few people. The trees and flowers were in full bloom and the shrubs were towering and overgrown just the way I love. There was a huge pond and bridge where hundreds of duck and swans and flamingos- birds of all kinds really- were  swimming and being fed. It was my paradise, and I've been wanting to paint a little black and white duck ever since. They are so cute and have the most gorgeous patterns with thick layers of downy feathers to wick away the water and keep them warm. And those great big feet just kill me.

So this little swimmer is actually called a Barrows Goldeneye, but since I always envision my characters with personality I gave him a new name and a little hat with movement in his legs. Like he's swimming and darting here and there and quacking at all the other ducks in the pond. Just doing what cute ducks do.

*This painting is part of a 12 Bird Challenge running from now until March 22nd.  All paintings will be for sale on the 25th.

12 Bird Challenge: Flying Finch

Flying Finch
Watercolor and Ink on paper, mounted 6x8" oval

Inspired by the finches that visit my feeder every day. They are tiny and bright and have the cutest little squeaky songs. I hear them every morning as I sit and eat breakfast at our kitchen counter and see them darting past the window when I wash the dishes in the evening. Aren't they just so cheerful?

Spring feels so close doesn't it? As I write this post I sit with the window cracked and the light pouring in the office/studio and the sound of different birds singing outside. I am just SO excited for Spring and painting these birds has really put me in a good mood! Can you believe there are just two more paintings left? Just a reminder- all 12 original paintings will be up for sale on Monday, March 25th at 9am CST. They're all mounted and ready to hang- no framing necessary! I'm so excited to show you the entire collection together and will have at least one more surprise for you by then. Thank you for following along thus far!

Hope your Wednesday is bright and cheery!

*This painting is part of a 12 Bird Challenge running from now until March 22nd.  All paintings will be for sale on the 25th.

12 Bird Challenge: Love at First Sight Swans

Love at First Sight Swans
Watercolor and Ink on paper, mounted 16x20"

Sometimes photos are deceptively beautiful (eh hem...Pinterest), and other times they just don't do a thing justice. This is one of those latter cases where the photo just isn't up to par. I've been so obsessed lately with the combination of watercolor and ink. Can you see in the last photo how the silver  is metallic and reflects the light from different angles? Take all the grays from the top photo and imagine them shifting to a shimmery white then back to gray again as you move past the painting. It's pretty rad, and I plan to show you through video just how cool all of these birds look in the right light. So stay tuned!

Now, let's talk for a minute about romance, shall we? Have you ever been in love? If so, do you remember those butterfly-in-the-stomach moments when you first locked eyes or touched arms or sat so close you could smell him? Because this painting is all about those feelings. He notices her beauty from across the pond and swims toward her. They lock eyes and she blushes and turns away. It's that moment of anticipation and expectation and anxiety. I want you to feel a little bit of that when you see this painting. I want you to wonder what will happen next. ;)

*This painting is part of a 12 Bird Challenge running from now until March 22nd.  All paintings will be for sale on the 25th.

12 Bird Challenge: Dark Raven

Dark Raven
Watercolor and Ink on paper, mounted 8x10"

When I considered giving myself this painting challenge, I think I forgot how much I enjoy my days off. Since becoming a full time artist I've gotten quite used to long hours and working weekends as I can never really seem to stop thinking about work. I've really had to try hard to keep a day of rest in there somewhere, and this painting challenge certainly hasn't helped me do that! Nonetheless, at the end of it I'll be happy looking back at 12 finished paintings. I just love seeing them all together hanging on my studio wall (pictures to come)!

This raven is a little expression of my dark side, which really isn't all that dark but mostly consists of moody purples and blues. I imagine him with a slightly deeper voice (because, duh, he can obviously talk), friendly and talkative but misunderstood. Ravens always get a bad rap as do most black birds with greasy feathers. But I'll tell you what- I really don't mind them at all.

*This painting is part of a 12 Bird Challenge running from now until March 22nd.  All paintings will be for sale on the 25th.

12 Bird Challenge: Lady Cardinal

Lady Cardinal
Watercolor and Ink on paper, mounted 6x6"

She's the boss. One flutter of the eye, wiggle of the tail, or whistling call brings all the bright red boys flying. It's not that she's bossy per say, just so charming and enchanting they can't help but bring her all the best berries in the neighborhood. And she's picky too. She'll only have the biggest, brightest, most dominating male. She's picky cuz she can be. Cuz she's the boss.

*This painting is part of a 12 Bird Challenge running from now until March 22nd.  All paintings will be for sale on the 25th.

12 Bird Challenge: Capped Chickadee

Capped Chickadee
Watercolor and Ink on paper, 5x7"

She's so classy and stylish it makes all the other chickadee's envious.

*This painting is part of a 12 Bird Challenge running from now until March 22nd.  All paintings will be for sale on the 25th.

12 Bird Challenge: Cocky California Quail

Cocky California Quail

Original Watercolor on paper, 8x8" round

Day 5 of the 12 Bird Challenge! I'm nearly halfway and loving every minute. Today's bird, the California Quail is cocky and proud, strutting about for all the ladies, boasting his glimmering golden breast and brilliant pattern. His neck is dark like a blue starry night. He knows he's beautiful, a sight to behold, and I have to admit this attitude is what I think I like most about him.  His confidence is contagious, don't you think? It reminds me of that quote by the great Beyonce, "He walks like this cuz he can back it up."

*This painting is part of a 12 Bird Challenge running from now until March 22nd.  All paintings will be for sale on the 25th.

12 Bird Challenge: Red Tailed Hawk

Red Tailed Hawk
Watercolor & Ink on paper, mounted 11x14"

Yesterday I took a drive into town, the roads winding through back country farms past fields of cows and pastures of horses. I really love where I live and am so thankful for the inspiration all around me, even in the simple ways I experience it, like watching puffed up Red Tailed Hawks balance on top of skinny telephone poles, eyeing the ground (and me) for anything suspicious. They are so gorgeous with their layers of rusty feathers and big golden feet. That fierce gaze. 

Sometimes, when the snow starts falling and the wind picks up, I see them swooping between trees and resting high up on the top branches, covered in a layer of pretty white flakes like they're wearing a white fur coat. They are so tough, these birds, and so abundant around these parts. How lucky am I to see them as often as I do, and now to have one to accompany my growing wall of birds (I'll show you that soon).

*This painting is part of a 12 Bird Challenge running from now until March 22nd.  All paintings will be for sale on the 25th.

12 Bird Challenge: Pelican

The Shy Pelican
Watercolor & Ink on paper, mounted 11x14"

He's a little timid at first, but he really livens up once you get to know him.  In fact, he's got quite a quirky personality, as you can most likely tell.  I think he and I would be good friends if, you know, he could actually waddle around and speak in human terms.  But there I go again, pretending animals can speak! ;)

*This painting is part of a 12 Bird Challenge running from now until March 22nd.  All paintings will be for sale on the 25th.

12 Bird Challenge: Peacock

Big & Beautiful Peacock
Watercolor and ink on paper, 12x24"

Have you ever seen a peacock up close?  They are stunning. A few summers ago I was drawing at the zoo and snapped a photo of one resting on the ground (see it right there on my painting?) with all of its feathers tucked neatly to its side.  I tend to like them more when they're not in full display, just sitting on a tree branch or walking slowly on the ground.  That tail felt like painting the tail of a mermaid and those patterns on its back required the purchasing of a few new angled brushes.  This one shimmers too, just like yesterday's barn owl.  I think I used around five different brushes to get all of those textures. So much fun and more birds to come!

*This painting is part of a 12 Bird Challenge running from now until March 22nd.  All paintings will be for sale on the 25th.

12 Bird Challenge: Barn Owl

Barn Owl
Watercolor & ink on paper, 11x14 inches mounted

Today marks the first day of my painting challenge and a very busy week and a half to come!  I'm especially excited for this first one as it is my favorite bird: the beautifully eery barn owl.  Smooth and sleek with white and gray feathers and the most delicate textures and patterns on its back and neck.  The base of the painting is watercolor with shimmery gold and gray inks layered on top.  I really wish it wasn't such a gloomy day or I'd hold the bird up to the window and show you how its wings shine!  Oh, and the sides are painted gold.  Sigh.  So hard to show in a picture...you can kind of tell by comparing the barn owl to the unfinished board hanging underneath.

I'll have another bird for you tomorrow and then for 10 more days after.  Feel free to follow along with this painting challenge or join if you want!  Happy Monday!

12 Birds in 12 Days

Happy first day of March!  It's been snowing here for 3 days straight, and I've been sitting at my desk in front of this big window watching the huge snowflakes and dreaming up new projects.  This month I want to challenge myself to paint more, post more, and sell more!  So I've created a 12 day challenge where each day my main focus will be birds, birds, birds!  I won't stop painting until I've finished one bird painting a day (mounted and ready to hang).

Starting at 8am on March 11th I'll be posting here and on Instagram and Facebook the finished painting and photos of it hanging on the wall.  All the paintings will be different birds and different sizes.  Then, on March 25th after the challenge is complete, all the paintings will be up for grabs (details to follow)!

I'm SO excited for this challenge, and I'd love it if you'd join me!  There really aren't any rules so feel free to bend the challenge to fit your own desire and style.  Use the tag #12BirdChallenge on Instagram to see your work next to mine and the others who have joined the fun.