Bleeding Hearts trembling in the breeze. Be still my little hearts.
This is a Bumble bee with purpose. Manzanita flowers are in it’s sights. It’s time to fuel up!
Curious Young Bear in pen and ink.
As we rounded the corner, we spooked this young bear. He ran up the hill a short distance and hid behind a large Douglas-fir tree. His curiosity got the best of him as he peeked around one side of the tree and his behind stuck out the other. I stopped the rig so we could watch him. He didn’t run away. We got out and started taking pictures.
His curiosity got the best of him. He had to get a better look at us.
He watched us for a while and we watched him. An older bear would never have stayed for a look. Soon his curiosity was satisfied and we went our separate ways.
California Black Bear, Ursus americanus
Monica was our pole plant/log clerk for many years and is a dear friend. She lives near Shasta Lake and has told me countless stories of her encounters with bears around her home. Of course she had to listen to my countless bear stories too. She just retired, so I gave her a signed and mounted print of this pen and ink. I think of her every time I look at it.
Yellow Wood Violet, Viola glabella
Taken near Shingletown, California.
Wild as in wildlife. Naturally, the coyote comes after the roadrunner.
Coyote in mixed media. Done with pen and ink, and watercolor.
I enjoy seeing wild coyotes and I see them often. As a dog lover, I’m sympathetic toward them. On the flip side I have no illusions about their predator nature and I keep an eye out for our pets and livestock.
This coyote was just west of the house. She came cruising through and posed very politely.
Ranchers have to protect their livestock because it’s their livelihood. Coyotes have to hunt because it’s their livelihood. It’s a tough reality for coyotes and ranchers alike. All part of the harsh balance of nature.
It’s tough being a coyote.
I chance upon these handsome fellas on the way home the other night. I stopped and chatted them up a bit with my call. They obliged by talking back and showing me a strut that would make a runway model proud.
It’s day four! I was tagged to do the 3 pieces of art a day for 5 days, Art Challenge, by Mark Mitchell. Hey Mark, this is starting to feel like homework. The theme for today is “Fur, Fins and Feathers.” I put up something old and something new.
I would love to see Ruth of Ruth’s Artwork do the Art Challenge. I picked Ruth because of her amazing pen and ink/watercolor, mixed media, architectural illustrations. She also does wonderful animals. She does lots of fantastic commissions. I recommend you check out her site.
Prints are available at Fine Art America.
That’s my view today.
It’s day two! I was tagged to do the 3 pieces of art a day for 5 days, Art Challenge, by Mark Mitchell. The theme for today is “En Plein Aire.” The nuthatch is my first and only plein aire watercolor painting. Perhaps there will be more someday. The others were done over lunch while making my rounds in the woods. Just a tiny snapshots of my days. Pens are so much more portable than watercolors. I would love to see Mary at oilpastelsbymary to do the Art Challenge.
This challenge originated on Facebook, but I have moved it over to WordPress. Please check it out my new Facebook page at Tim Livingston.
If you are a teacher, then you may be interested in this program. It is a week long session that involves camping in cabins, woods tours of logging operations, a mill tour and many other sessions involving natural resource subjects. It is an intense week and you get to meet resource professional from across the spectrum.
Forestry Institute for Teachers on Facebook
I taught a forestry class for many years at the Shasta County location. After a break I was back last season. I don’t know yet if I’ll be back this year. I highly encourage interested teachers to sign up.
THE FORESTER ARTIST 