Summer is coming..

After a particularly gorgeous hot day recently, my mind started to drift to the deliciousness of the endless blue skies of the Texan Summer, soon to be upon us ..

 and ..

 ice cream.

An essential part of your summer survival kit when you live in Texas :)

'Sorbet'

16 x 16 "

Acrylic on Canvas

An Owl in my Dreamcatcher

I have been coming across owls lately..  such a total buzz for me .. I always stop breathing for a moment or six :)

I am so delighted to have magical wise owl energy following me that it inspired me to create a
dreamcatcher series, with Owl Totem being the first.

The owl spirit animal is emblematic of a deep connection with wisdom and intuitive knowledge. If you have the owl as totem or power animal, you’re likely to have the ability to see what’s usually hidden to most. When the spirit of the animal guides you, you can see the true reality and see beyond illusion and deceit. The owl also offers for those who have it  as a personal totem the inspiration and guidance necessary to deeply explore the unknown and the magic of life. ( - Spirit Animal.com)

                                         ' Dreaming with Owl '

                                          Watercolor - 9 x 12 

                                        Helen Wheeler-Shaw                   

                                         

                        This Painting is available in my art store 'The Sacred Gift'

Painting a New Zealand song bird - Tui

The Tui is a beautiful bird from New Zealand who is renowned for their gorgeous blue/black iridescent plumage, their intelligence and delightful song.
 Easily recognized in the New Zealand bush by the white tufts of feathers at their throat , Tui can be heard at many times in the day calling out with their many beautiful trills, clicks, wheezes and whistles.
This protected native bird was once a delicacy food for the Maori people of New Zealand and their feathers were often used in ceremonial cloaks.
Tui are among the 'honeyeater' family, nectar is their primary diet, favorites are New Zealand flax flowers and bright yellow Kowhai blossoms.
I know I am home when I hear this beautiful bird singing to welcome the morning sun from the top of a tree fern. 

I decided to paint this one on a little feeder shelf that I could pretend was outside my Texas window, I left him some Kowhai flowers, in hopes that he might stay around a while and sing for me....

                                                'A gift for Tui'
                                                                Watercolor on paper

 prints available in  

The Sacred Gift store

Thanks for visiting,  xx Helen

Commission Delivered..Azure and Saffron

I can finally show you this piece ( it was a surprise commission by a lady for her husband's birthday)  he  was delighted, (these birds have long been a collectible favorite for him)

I showed a peek in this post ..

It's a  wee Kingfisher ... :)

 ( I love that out of all the birds , these ones have touched this man so much , he has many books and works of art dedicated to the subject)

I learned so much about them while researching.. they have a protective layer which shoots across their eye when diving underwater  for fish..   I also didn't realize that their feet are a bright orange/red and they are so tiny compared to the rest of their body  :)

I think they are so precious..  

thanks for visiting...

Sending you all a magical week ahead  xxxxx Helen