A Tiny Bee Project #7- Speckle

Happy Thursday! This week's A Tiny Bee's project was "speckle" and I have always thought speckled is such a pretty word . It's sort of funny that words can be pretty or maybe even delightful or even bring a little sparkle of joy, that a word can convey a feeling versus the meaning.   I think what's sort of special about this word is that something speckle-y is usually involving polka dots and my mind immediately goes to a bird which bird eggs are usually have some sort of speckles and they are usually pretty adorable little eggs that are tucked deep into a nest.   So I painted this lovely fat sparrow which is one of my favorite birds.  Do you ever watch the tv show Portlandia? If you haven't seen it- it's a tv show based upon where I live because Portland is a pretty unusual place.. a special place but lots of strange and unique.  I adore the show and have had my artwork in it the last couple of seasons, which is sort of crazy to think about.  Anyway, the whole point of the show is that it pokes fun of Portland and one of the big jokes from season 1 is that all Portland artists make art that involves birds.  The episode was called "Put a Bird on it."  Well guess what? I was totally one of those artists. lol. So for a long time I didn't paint any birds because everyone was painting birds and I guess I didn't want my work to be a joke and why do I have to make something everyone else is making. and I moved on from painting animals and birds and got into painting other things which I think was sort of a good thing... but I did love making this bird and animals have been showing up in my sketchbook again.

Do you ever move on from something and then somehow find your way back to it? It seems like that has been happening a lot lately in my work. 

Next weeks assignment is "Wave". :) How ever you want to interpret it.

Feel free to check out and link up with 12 Oz Bee House

10 comments

Outcast said...

So adorable Erika, I really believe that you've outdone yourself with this one, I honestly do, just incredible!

Amy @ Fig Milkshakes said...

This is BEAUTIFUL, Erika! The details are just stunning! Thanks for sharing!

rooth said...

This one is really wonderful and he would look wonderful in a winter scene :)

Unknown said...

I love your little bird painting--one of my favorite books as a little girl was The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady and your painting reminds me of it.

xo Mary Jo

Sian said...

oooh so good :)

Lauren said...

I'm discovering that I just love paintings/drawings of birds. Love. This fat sparrow is no exception. I really am in love with it.

I'm pretty in love with the fact that your work has been in Portlandia too! We don't watch tv like that much, but hello? Totally awesomesauce!

Jane said...

i love how a word can lead to a painting! such a neat creative process! this one is really great!

Jessica (Coco/Mingo) said...

"Speckle" is such a pretty word! I totally think of a speckled egg to, with pretty colors, like a robins egg :) I love this creative link-up idea!!! And your painting is so beautiful, she definitely lays pretty speckled eggs :)

Tracey said...

Love your beautiful bird Erika, and I love the way you interpreted the brief (sparrows are one of my favourite birds too) ... and Portlandia does make me laugh. :)

Amanda Colouring In said...

Love this little bird all puffed up. I think there is something pretty addictive about drawing birds. I'm going to paint robins this year for some home-made Christmas cards...well, that's the plan if I get time :)