Lost in the storm.

After the big rainstorm the day before, I found a little rock dove on the ground. He didn't make it in the downpour. His feathers were soaked and matted. I wonder if he was already in trouble and unable to keep his feathers oiled.

I know it's kind of odd, but I enjoy the opportunity to examine birds up close, so I keep them when I find them. They go in the freezer until I'm ready to do a study. Today I did a drawing, but his subtle colors will be more interesting in paint. An orange beak, blue iridescent spots on his wings, and a rosy pink chest - not what I expected. Lots of these doves fly through our pastures, but they move so quickly I can never see their true colors. They just look like grayish brown stubby birds. God makes so many things more beautiful than we ever see or take notice of.

Happy Ending

A few weeks ago we took the drive to the panhandle to deliver the painting of "Lazarus, the little man, goat" Here he is approving the portrait. Brooke, his owner was also very pleased. And we got to meet our new puppy, Lilly. To say that everyone is happy is an understatement. We are thrilled to have her and now after getting to know her even better we have fallen in love with her. She has made herself at home here and loves playing with our other dog Jonny as much as he loves playing with her.

On another note, my studio is now warmer courtesy of my wonderful husband's talents. Bill devised a way to get the camp stove into the RV with a muffler for a chimney. He used some scrap angle iron for support and put pavers inside for it to sit on so we don't burn the whole thing down. We started it up yesterday and filled the place with smoke. (It doesn't take much to get the fire going in such a small space.) But after a while we got a nice fire burning. Bill is still willing to make adjustments if it needs them. I'm looking forward to warmer times in the studio before spring!!