Swans

Seven Swans

Swan Song

For me swans have always been strongly associated with fairy tales. Swan princesses, fairy maidens disguised as swans and brothers cursed to live as swans filled the pages of the books I loved growing up. Before I moved to England three years ago I had little opportunity to see swans in the feathered flesh. One of the many things I adore about living here is being able to have fairy tale encounters every day. I can step down a wooded path to a quiet park and spend hours watching and sketching the local swans. These creatures are a perfect mix of beauty and danger, which of course makes them ideal for fairy tales and folklore. 

Starling Pegasus

Starling pegasus illustration.

Watercolour Sketches

 

Some ideas that I've been playing around with and sketching. I'm hoping to develop them more when I head back to the states for a visit this spring.

Yellow Butterflies and Old Wive's Tales

 

I had a hankering recently to do a more detailed painting with lots of background. There's something truly wonderful about being surrounded by nature, something magical about being immersed in a sea of gently blowing flowers and grasses. A little world, all your own for just a little while, where you can remain undisturbed, hidden by a tangle of vines with a friendly group of butterflies fluttering softly around you.

The scan of this pic is only so so. It's a larger piece and had to be scanned in sections. I'll have to give it another go before I'm truly satisfied with it, but for now I just wanted to share it.

I thought I would also take this opportunity to share what I've been reading this week. I found this lovely little book full of old fashioned information. It's filled with all sorts of folklore, natural remedies, helpful tips and interesting trivia. I absolutely love this sort of thing so I couldn't resist it...it also helps that I love the cover design!

As an extra little treat I chose ginger chamomile tea and a cute little apple pie to accompany my reading. Yummy!