Sourcing Inspiration

A few nights ago night I spotted this strange looking bird. I was able to capture a photo and got a couple of good pics for reference. I was just so enamored with the baby bluebirds. Their coloring is a little scattered as they molt away their baby feathers and develop to a vibrant blue. 

This summer has brought us so many animal babies. I love to see them visit our feeders as a family. 

While there are many birds that live here, some are seasonal. Finches stay year round. The American Goldfinch is our yard's most frequently visiting bird, followed by 3-4 species of woodpeckers. They all get along, mostly. 

We have shy woodpeckers, gregarious chickadees, bossy Blue Jays, fickle finches and friendly hummingbirds. Nuthatches are pretty common but this was the first year I noticed a family. They were super cute when they were first born, flying back and forth together from the feeders to a their tree on the edge of the forest. 

As a surface pattern designer, I source all my own inspiration. That means I always use my own photographs for reference. I think this makes my art meaningful as every picture has a story. This little baby bluebird is coming soon to a calendar, a greeting card or other type of practical product soon.