chestnut breasted finch
chestnut breasted finches
(aka chestnut breasted mannikin)
by Tina Burke
Graphite and acrylic on Arches 300gsm watercolour paper
red winged parrot
Study of a red-winged parrot
by Tina Burke
Graphite on Stonehenge 250gsm paper
This original drawing is available for purchase here.
boobook owl
Study of a boobook owl
by Tina Burke
Graphite on Strathmore cold press watercolour paper
This original drawing is available for purchase here.
eastern yellow robin
Study of an eastern yellow robin
by Tina Burke
Graphite on Canson mixed media paper
This original drawing is available for purchase here.
bee-eater
Study of a bee-eater
by Tina Burke
Graphite on Arches watercolour paper
This original drawing is available for purchase here.
olive-backed sunbird
olive-backed sunbird
by Tina Burke
acrylic on Arches watercolour paper, 14x10"
... also known as a Yellow-Bellied Sunbird, found in areas from Southern Asia to Australia. I remember the first time I saw a sunbird in Australia I was surprised how little it was - so tiny and fragile looking, like a hummingbird.
This is a male - they have a vivid blue-black metallic sheen on their throat and forehead. As is often the case, they are fancier than the female. She has a yellow belly and throat, with the brownish-olive coloured head and back, but no shiny bling.
ruby-throated hummingbird
ruby-throated hummingbird
by Tina Burke
acrylic on Arches watercolour paper, 14x10"
I've been experimenting on "hand-aged" watercolour paper as an extension on my series of drawings - which in turn were inspired by antique and vintage prints. I've been a bit obsessed with hummingbirds lately, and inspired by an orchid plant I specifically bought for this painting. I'm just pleased I was able to keep it alive long enough to paint - the last one we had died in record time (turns out they don't need much water).
pretty things
I fell in love with these trays and vases when I saw them on Modish and wanted to share them here. They're from Lealand Eve Boutique, and visiting their online store I found even more things to swoon over (including some very cute aprons).
I'm particularly drawn to these bird-themed pieces ... so decorative and fanciful, contemporary with a nod to vintage and antique influences (love the use of vintage-style natural history illustration, and the toile de jouy inspired peacock tray) ... glorious! The vases could be equally at home in a pretty, girly room, or in a more simple contemporary room as a contrasting element (for example the crow vase - the dark grey bird stops it being *too* pretty) - and beautiful enough to not even need flowers.
Objects like these make me want to draw and paint, and remind me to have fun with the subject matter - to not always get too bogged down in reality, but aim to capture the magic of the birds and the natural world. I hope to evoke a feeling and focus on the interesting designs, rather than purely rendering an accurate portrait.
That said ... I'm off to paint!
Welcome
Hello.
So after long intention, and much lurking, I finally have my little blog to display my art and join in on the conversation. I’m very excited!
I started an online course this week: In the Fishbowl: Life as an Artist Online after admiring Creative Thursday’s Marisa Haedike’s work, blog and generous spirit. I signed up 6 weeks ago, waited impatiently, and used the course as an impetus to finally get this website built and online.
Her first gentle and inspiring podcast got us thinking about what we do. The first question was “Why do you love what you create?” And with that, I finally found the focus for my first blog topic.
why do I love what I create?
I love trying to capture the magic I experience from nature - the intake of breath and flash of joy I get from an unexpected glimpse of a bright bird as it flashes past, or stumbling across a flower species that I’ve never seen before. I linger over the details in nature, but also love the simple peace and inspiration I feel from the natural world, and try to incorporate both in my artwork. I love the mixture of a misty and evocative atmosphere that can be represented by a dreamy smudge, leaving your imagination to fill in the gaps, combined with the tiny, intricate and beautiful details you only notice when looking closely at a bird or flower. I'm fascinated by the array of colours and ornate and fantastical designs that nature presents.
That never-ending journey as I try to capture all this - from an infinite supply of inspiration - brings me such pleasure and satisfaction.
And that’s why I love what I create.
It's an excellent question ... it reminded me why I do what I do, and how lucky I am to have something in my life that's so simple, yet brings me so much joy. A perfect headspace to be in as I launch my new site and gallery!
