We were delighted in late spring when a hummingbird couple decided to nest in our garage. They chose the pedal of my husband's bicycle hanging from a hook in the ceiling. They built the nest in two days and the mom moved in. She had two eggs hatch a day apart from one another. Did you know baby hummingbirds eat food their mom gives them while
laying on their backs? Guess that's the only way Mom can manage to get that long beak in their mouths. We enjoyed the little ones from birth, through feeding, through pin feathers, through flight attempts. One of the coolest experiences we've ever had!
I used a palette knife for the paint in the nest and background. It will take about a week to dry because of the thickness of the paint.
Below the painting is a photo of the nest. Compared to the penny, it's not very big, is it?! Hard to believe these two little guys lived and grew side by side in that little nest for about two and a half weeks. We will give the nest to our grandsons for their science corner at school.
Painting is available via auction at DailyPaintworks
HERE.
I love the story Carol, and the painting is amazing ! I don't know how you did the feathers, almost look like a tapestry ..so beautiful !
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jane. Your words are very kind, and I am grateful for the nice thoughts! We're hoping the hummingbirds will return next year, but the chances are slim, I think.
ReplyDeleteHi Carol, I love your humming bird story. I immediately thought of Julie Ford Oliver who paints nests and it given many different kinds by her readers. Also Karen Margulis who paints wonderful pastel nests. I always do well with my small nest paintings, so I'm sure this will sell fast.
ReplyDeleteI can't remember if I've invited you to post in my January Art Party. It's really open to any artists and anyone else can come over and vote and there are prizes. I would love to see your work on my blog. www. paintamasterpiece. blogspot.com
Thank you, Sea, for your thoughtful comments and generous invitation. I have greatly admired, like you, the nest paintings by both the artists you mentioned as well as yourself. Watching these little hummers actually build the nest themselves was eye-opening." All the items they used created a compact little home for the eggs, and later the chicks.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post and terrific painting! I love the colours on the nest.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your nice comment, Helen. The nest was quite difficult for me. The nest of these little guys is different than for many birds...no twigs, etc. They use tiny specks of leaves, moss and bark, then stick it all together with a mud-like substance. The shape is more cylindrical than most nests as well. It still isn't quite how I wanted it to look, but I did what I could. I need to take a workshop from you, Helen. Wish I could!
DeleteHi Carol, thank you for your many visits and comments on my blog! Thanks also for watching my tv show appearance. This Australian art show has recently been bought by some states in the US. It was one of the most difficult things I've ever done, I was so nervous.
DeleteOh Carol - what a great experience. Hummingbirds are my very favorite birds. We only have them visit in the summer but I adore feeding them. Imagine having them nest so close by. I am so glad you got to enjoy them. Your painting is awesome. Love the colors. Thank you friend for sharing. Hope you are having a great week-end.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking of you and hoping you're doing well. Thank you for your kind words! I, too, like hummingbirds! They're curious critters and braver than most birds. And, so beautiful! What joy birds bring us!!
DeleteA beautiful post Carol and very informative...I don't know too much about hummingbirds but they're so cute and painting the nest with the palette knife is perfect for the nest... When I zoomed on the painting, I see the texture and beautiful colors on their heads...Wonderful work !!!
ReplyDeleteHello Hilda!
DeleteWe didn't know too much about them either, Hilda, but when they built their nest in OUR garage we decided we better find out a few things. They were "textbook" hummingbirds and followed what the book said perfectly! It was so much fun. They even tolerated my husband on a ladder close to their nest snapping photos of every stage!
I don't think I've told you how much I like this painting - but I will, now :) Lovely - and a great story to go along with it. Aren't birds silly? Setting up nests just anywhere that isn't always the best possible place! ha ha
ReplyDeleteThey are a joy, Rhonda. I know you have done a lot of study, drawing and painting about birds. I love what you do!!
DeleteI have no idea how I missed this wonderful post. Has to be one of my all time favs of yours....and there has been a lot of them.
ReplyDeleteWhat an exciting experience! how lucky you were to see it all happening right in your garage too. The painting is excellent you have got the feathers and the texture of the nest so well. Palette knife is a great tool for textures and fun to use.
ReplyDeleteIt was exciting, Diana! We now have put up a hummingbird feeder which is being shared with house finches and goldfinches.
DeleteYou're right about palette knifes being great tools. I need to work with them more in order to get the looks I want. Takes much practice, I think!
Neat!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dan, for your comment! Nice of you to write from WAY up there in Barrow, AK, and I'm glad you like the hummingbirds. We had the hummers return this April and deliver two more babies to the world. They built their nest inches from where they did last year right on the bicycle hanging from the ceiling in the garage!!
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