birds

New in My Etsy Shop – Birds and Teacups plus One Inspiring Squirrel!

Posted by Barbara Techel

This 8 x 10 mixed media on a birch wood panel above was inspired by a delightful encounter I had a few weeks ago with a young squirrel. While at first, I was concerned about the little one, I soon realized it was my own projection of fear and wanting to protect it. This young squirrel was just doing its squirrel thing and learning to navigate the big world out there. 

Poised on the trunk of this tree this is the photo I took of the young squirrel which is enhanced with chalk pencils. I imagined how big the world must look to this little one and how brave it was for learning to find its way.

This piece is also infused with the gentle energy of birch branches which often fall from the tree in my front yard. I love to sit and watch the birch leaves gently blowing in the wind as they sparkle in the sunshine. It’s so meditative! There are also dried flowers and leaves incorporated that come from around my gardens.

Lastly, it is also a dimensional piece as some of the artwork and natural elements are raised off the panel. This creates a lovely effect that brings it to life! Created on an 8 x 10 birch wood panel there is no need for a frame.

It is $55 plus shipping and is available here in my Etsy Shop. 

Birds & Teacups Series

In early May inspired by the many birds that have returned and the joy they bring me to see them outside my Joyful Pause Cottage windows, I started a Bird and Teacups mixed media series. Because…well…I just think birds and teacups go together so beautifully and quite naturally!  Besides, having a cup of tea while observing birds is a simple and sweet meditation that brings happiness and calm to my heart.

While I’d hoped to have more to share at this point, I simply ran out of time! So alas, I decided to share the three I have created instead of waiting. If one speaks to you I’d love for it to fly off to your home!

Created on 140 lb. mixed media paper they are 5 x 7 and ready to put in your favorite frame. They are $30 each plus shipping and are available in my Etsy shop here.

I hope your June has started out with all things that bring you joy and contentment!

XO

Barb

                  

Bird Haven Expansion

Posted by Barbara Techel

It wasn’t what I thought the noise was all about Sunday morning. The saw was buzzing and John was in full work mode. I thought for sure he was cutting something for the new home he is building for a client. A part of me let out a sigh.

Spring, summer, and fall is the busiest season for anyone in construction. Sometimes I can feel lonely with John’s schedule so full. While at the same time I feel blessed that he has work and that he loves what he does. 

So I kept busy in the kitchen cooking up the meal for dinner, which I often like to have prepped ahead of time on the weekends so we can enjoy time out on the deck come early evening.

Just as I finished making the casserole John popped up outside the screen door with a big grin and holding a birdhouse. My thought had been wrong. Here he was making another birdhouse for our bird haven that continues to expand each year.

Seems someone besides me has caught bird fever.  🙂

As I write this post he is whipping out yet another birdhouse. He had asked me where we might have room for another one. I said I wasn’t sure, but that we could walk around the yard to check it out. But he opted for just going ahead and making another one. I’m sure we will find somewhere to put it. No doubt.

Lucky birds. Lucky me. Blessed us. Suddenly I no longer feel so lonely.

XO

Barb

                  

A Few Moments of Amusement with Wren

Posted by Barbara Techel

Over the winter this was a house for a mouse. I learned that earlier this spring when I dug my hand in to clean out the debris and a mouse scampered up the inside and then down the backside. The mouse froze in place as we made eye-to-eye contact and then I apologized profusely for disturbing his/her home sweet home.

Needless to say, I couldn’t cause any more damage and left the rest of what was still inside of Mouses’ soft and cozy furnishings.

This afternoon when I saw something peek its head out the hole I thought once again that it must be the mouse. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was a Wren.

Watching for a few moments I noticed Wren was busy throwing sticks and debris out the hole – one small bit at a time. Was Wren cleaning out what Mouse left behind? Or did Wren over plan and had too many building materials he/she needed to dispose of?

With his/her head cocked to the side in this photo I couldn’t help but think that perhaps Wren was having second thoughts about what just went out the hole. You know how it is – should I or shouldn’t I get rid of that sweater? It goes in the bag for Goodwill, and then later in the day, it gets pulled back out, because you are just not quite ready to depart with it yet.

Whatever the case it was for Wren, it was a few moments of amusement for my mind which I greatly appreciated.

XO,

Barb

If you’d like blog post updates in your inbox just Click here to subscribe.