Befriended by a Scissortail'

This next painting was completely inspired by a lovely encounter recently with a Scissortailed Flycatcher.

I was out cycling solo in a rural area when suddenly this beautiful bird appears right next to me, playing and dancing around my handlebars.

I was completely entranced by it's amazing long 'scissor' tail and as it would swoop up above me it would showoff the beautiful apricot/ orange flash under its wings.

My feathered friend flew along next to me for about a mile, much to my complete delight and then watched me turn the corner from a safe perch.

Couldn't wipe the grin off my face for days..

'Scissortailed Flycatcher'

Watercolor

9" x 12"

                   Original available here

Moments like those are why I just cannot stop painting birds..

sigh... I just love those little feathered pieces of heaven :)

love H xx

Blooming purple..

Its Spring !.. and the hill country of Texas is showing off with it's gorgeous spring bluebonnets this year..

I found this stunning fat thistle down at the river... I love this fuchsia and grey/green together..

The orchid on my patio.. so pretty..

Hmmm.. I feel a watercolor painting of an orchid needs to happen soon :)

Luv H xx

Art, the ocean and a little green friend...

We ran away to the sea for a while..

reveling in sunsets like these...

Just before we left I delivered these two large abstract paintings to a gallery in Austin

Navigation

mixed media on canvas

24 x 30

Balance

mixed media  on canvas

36 x 24

Yesterday I was picking some vegetables from the garden for dinner..

When I spied this gorgeous green gecko checking me out from his Swiss Chard 'home'

he was a pretty chilled out little guy.. quite happy to let me hang out real close with my camera lens :)

I hope you all have a fun filled weekend ..

Cheers , Helen

IF - ' Influence' - Storm Petrel watercolor bird painting..

Illustration Friday's topic this week is 'Influence'..

I decided I would like to influence the weather patterns'.. whisper softly in Mother Nature's ear..
here in Texas it has been 103 degrees every day for months with no rain.. I sure love the sun.. but the plants, trees and little creatures need some moisture.

I have brought a Storm Petrel to Texas.. to share his rain love.. the Storm Petrel bird is a very strong omen to fisherman.. when he is hovering around.. rain and storms will follow..

'Rain Maker'

Watercolor 

9 x 12 inches

Helen Wheeler Shaw

I'll let you know how it goes'.. xx H


yay we finally did get some rain!!!!!!!