“What is the purpose of the giant sequoia tree? The purpose of the giant sequoia tree is to provide shade for the tiny titmouse.”
~ Edward Abbey 

Sir Curly feeds his hungry Baby Curly outside our studio window

Speaking of Titmice, our yard has been full of them this week, as we have been enjoying a resident family with three babies! The air is filled with the delightful squeaks and squawks of three hungry babies, calling out to their frazzled parents for more and more food. The runt of this precious family, which we have named Tinymouse, seems to be the hungriest of them all. Perhaps he’s just trying to catch up to the other two. Nonetheless, it was hilarious sight to behold, while we were sitting on the back porch eating lunch today, to see Tinymouse in the nearby Mulberry tree squawking and uncontrollably flitting his wings as one of his parents approached. Suddenly he saw the size of the prized piece of food being offered, and went nuts as the parent stuffed a peanut butter treat into his open mouth. He was obviously thrilled with this delightful treat and flew to a nearby branch to sit quietly and eat bit by bit, this tasty morsel. We could almost hear the parent saying, “Here . . . maybe this will fill you up for a bit!” Not only has the yard been filled with Tinymouse and his siblings, but also with baby Cardinals, one of which belongs to Sir Curly, hence his name, Baby Curly, along with baby Robins, and House Finches as well. With many of them calling out at the same time for food, the back deck sounds like and resembles a baby bird nursery! There are also other critter babies in the yard too, and during one of my walks this past week around our nature path, I came across a beautiful little Box Turtle. So I quickly ran to the mulberry tree, and after gathering a handful of berries, returned and laid them in front of him. He ate everyone except one, so he must have enjoyed this tasty little offering!

A wonderful little Box Turtle in our woods

Baby Curly Cries for more!

The Mulberry Tree has been a delight for many this year, as not only I but so many of our feathered friends have been enjoying these juicy, sweet berries! Flocks of Cedar Waxwings land several times a day in the tree, and eat the berries, and amazingly, even though the berries are the size of their heads, they swallow them whole! The Catbirds also love them, and one afternoon while I was standing on a step stool, feverishly eating my share of berries, our resident Catbird landed a mere two feet above my head, and while looking down at me, proceeded to scold me in a series of very irritated calls, and kept it up for several minutes, even though I had told her nicely that “She can share”! Our ingenious Red-bellied Woodpecker gets his berry and cleverly places it securely into the crouch of the tree, so he can eat it without it getting away. The squirrels, Robins and Blue Jays, as well as countless others are also tremendously enjoying the fruits of this tree daily too!

One of Grandaddy Long Legs, found a perfect sized resting spot!

After returning from our wonderful trip to Florida last week, we are now back into painting full swing. We continue to enjoy our daily walks or bike rides, and last evening we enjoyed a delightful concert. We rode with our dear neighbor friends, Beverly and Avery, into nearby Maryville, to the lovely concert area on the Greenbelt. It was a gorgeous evening, with a nice breeze in the air, making it feel much cooler than it did earlier in the day. Beverly had made some yummy sandwiches, which we ate along with chips, and other munchies, and we finished it off with some of my homemade mint chocolate brownies. Before long it was time for the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra to begin playing, and their instruments filled the evening air with the beautiful melodic sounds of Rossini and Mozart. Next came the “Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No. 1” by Ottorino Respighi, and as the sound of the flutes blended with other instruments, I could envision a gorgeous grand hall, complete with a marble floor filled with ladies in their beautiful Victorian dresses, seemingly floating across the floor, guided by their costumed laden partners, as they enjoyed waltzing about. We were then treated to a series of beautiful selections from West Side Story.

As the sun began to set during the intermission, a few swifts started their sporadic ballet through the air above, with the picturesque, large white clock of the courthouse serving as the backdrop. After a few energetic selections from the “Themes from 007”, and the fun and delightful tunes of a personal favorite, the “Syncopated Clock”, they began to play “Clarinet Candy”. As soon as the first few notes had left the featured duo’s clarinets, the Swifts seemed to come from everywhere, and seemingly all at once, the sky was filled with them, as they appeared to fly in perfect synchronization with the music, swirling and circling about, at times appearing to miss each other by mere inches! It was like a circus of nature as these amazing acrobats of the sky flew at fast speeds keeping time with the lively music! After a few more wonderful selections, the concert came to an end, and it was time to gather our things and return home.

Fresh Off the Easel: I’ve just about finished my commission of the three Lab puppies, save for a couple of touches. Currently I’m painting on another miniature that is part of our visiting the masterpiece series, which features me looking at the very large painting of the artist Madame Adelaide. With the beautiful clothing and marble surroundings, it has been great fun to paint on thus far.
Wes finished his miniature of a chipmunk from Sequoia National Park, as well as a miniature of 29 Brandt’s Cormorants from our Sea of Cortez Expedition, which is to be featured in the upcoming exhibition at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in March 2013.

Rachelle’s commission “Dreaming of Playtime” is 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches

Rachelle’s miniature painting in progress

“Lil’ Bathsheba” by Wes is 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches

“Brandts Cormorants at San Pedro Island” by Wes is 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches

~ Upcoming Events and Exhibitions of Our Paintings This Week ~

EXQUISITE MINIATURES BY WES AND RACHELLE SIEGRIST at the Nevada State Museum, Carson City, NV (Fifty of our miniature paintings are on display and available for purchase!)

21st International Miniature Show at the Seaside Art Gallery in Nags Head, NC. I was delighted to learn that I received 2^nd Place Overall on my “Fine Art in Little” miniature painting!

 The Art of the Miniature XX at the SnowGoose Gallery, Bethlehem, PA

  20th Annual International Juried Miniature Show at the Parklane Gallery, Kirkland, WA

Blossom II: Art of Flowers at the Greenacres Arts Center, Cincinnati, OH

30th Hilliard Annual Member’s Exhibition at the Town Hall, Wells, Somerset, England

51st Society of Animal Artists “Art & the Animal” Exhibition at the Appleton Museum of Art, Ocala, FL

Art of the Dive: Portraits of the Deep at the Wildlife Experience, Parker (Denver), CO

To view all our many exhibits: http://www.artofwildlife.com/exhibitschedule.html

“Collect the future’s history today while it is still affordable.”

Wishing you all a wonderful Memorial Day!

Until next time ~ Rachelle

“Other things may change us, but we start and end with family”
~ Anthony Brandt quotes

Starting at the left, my Mom, sister Hayley, Me, Aunt Carol, Dad, and Uncle Bobby, with Haydyn and Tyler in front

We returned last evening from a wonderful trip to Okeechobee, Florida to visit my family. We landed in the Orlando airport last Thursday morning, and were met there by my parents, sister, niece and nephew. It was a happy reunion for all of us and the kids loved seeing the big aquarium as well as riding the escalators and moving walkways for the first time, that were there inside the airport! After grabbing a quick lunch, we all headed over to Melbourne where we spent a delightful afternoon at the Brevard Zoo. A very small baby monkey clinging to its mother was one of the highlights at the zoo, as well as feeding the Lorikeets! Being a bird lover, I never pass up an opportunity to feed and hold birds, and the kids got a big kick out of Aunt No No and Uncle Wes being covered with hungry green birds! They sipped until the last drop had been lapped up from the plastic feeding cups, while Tyler and Haydyn cheered them on. The kids got so excited each time someone would ride the zip line above, over the alligator and crocodile ponds, and I must admit, a few of us added this adventure to our “to do” list!

Our family all admiring the adorable baby monkey at the zoo!

Haydyn and Tyler watch with amazement while we feed the Lorikeets

Haydyn enjoys petting a precious monkey sculpture

Much of the beautiful zoo, filled with native flora and fauna, is seen from a wonderful boardwalk that leads and curves throughout the thickly filled grounds, affording nice views into the animal enclosures a couple of feet below. This zoo is the only zoo which has been completely built by volunteers, and they have done a superb job! We greatly enjoyed walking about the beautiful natural Florida setting, with the kids growing more exited with each new critter discovered! Everyone was amazed with the stunning colors, which the beautiful and large Cassowary sported on his head and neck, as well as the many gorgeous bird species in the aviary. We watched the Otters swim and play, and they seemed as curious about watching us as we did them. Hayley and I fed the Giraffe, and the kids fed the fish and ducks with Uncle Wes. All too soon it was time for the zoo to close, and for us to leave. From there we met my Uncle Bobby and Aunt Carol, whom Wes and I haven’t seen in way too many years. Big hugs were given as we met at the restaurant, and supper was enjoyed with lots of conversation, laughs and much catching up! Afterwards we went to their house for a very nice visit before heading back to Okeechobee.

Tyler and Aunt No No watch and play with the Otter

Hayley fed the Giraffe first, then it was my turn

A gorgeous Crocodile enjoying the sun!

Mom, Hayley, and I, along with the kids, watch the person going down the zip line

The kids enjoy playing in a water puddle at the zoo

Friday, after enjoying a nice lunch at the new Applebees in Okeechobee, our entire family headed over to Ft. Pierce, to spend the afternoon at the beach. The weather was gorgeous, and couldn’t be more perfect, as we walked down to the beach to enjoy several hours of fun. The first thing on our agenda was to build a sand creature, which turned out to be an alligator. It was a short life for him though, as he quickly lost a leg, by getting stepped on, then Haydyn covered his eyes with sand, and he quickly got buried, as Uncle Wes started digging a serious hole, which quickly turned into the kids own private swimming pool, when the tide started coming in and filled it. They spent hours playing and laughing in it! After building my sand critter with the kids, it was time to go boogie boarding, and although the water was cool at first, it quickly felt warm. The waves were pretty good, and we enjoyed riding a bunch of them in. The best rides however, were when my brother, Marshall, let me borrow his surfboard, which I laid on, and body surfed several of the waves all the way to the shore. It was awesome and made you feel as if you were shooting forward at 100 mph! Before leaving the water to go enjoy a picnic supper, we walked down the beach for a bit, where Wes found a baby puffer fish, that had washed on shore from a wave, so he quickly got it, and while carefully keeping it wet in the water, let the kids see it before sending it out. We found a lovely shady spot for our picnic and there was a delightful breeze in the air, as we ate and talked of our adventures that afternoon.  Before leaving for home, the kids, me included, enjoyed playing on the playground for awhile.

Uncle Wes and the kids building the personal swimming pool

Grandpa helps Tyler ride a wave!

Uncle Wes and Aunt No No building a sand alligator with Haydyn

Enjoying a yummy picnic at the beach

A beautiful yellow crab pays us a visit

Grandpa and Daddy help Haydyn as she gets ready to slide

Saturday we went into town for a short shopping trip and spent the afternoon at home, while riding bikes, playing with the chickens and building a fire to BBQ on and later roast marshmallows to make smores. The kids ate all of their supper in anticipation of getting to eat smores, and we all had lots of fun sitting around the fire, roasting our marshmallows, and constructing smores. But the best part of course, was eating them! I think Haydyn may have enjoyed hers the most, and ended up wearing as much as she ate! It was a beautiful and very pleasant evening, as we all sat there relaxing, while watching the gorgeous sun setting behind the beautiful woods in my parents backyard.

Haydyn wears her smore with pride!

Tyler proudly sports his too!

Sunday lunch was all spent together, and we had an early family birthday celebration for Tyler, whose 4th birthday is today. I think that eating the cake was the favorite part for many of us, after Tyler blew out his candles. Later that afternoon and evening, we all enjoyed walking a nearby, newly made trail, that my brother Marshall has been working on along with several other volunteers, to make for hiking, horseback riding and mountain bike riding. It’s located in a gorgeous setting that is reached by walking across a beautiful large cow pasture. While walking along this several mile long trail, one enjoys hammocks, Saw Palmetto groves, and woods that are filled with gorgeous Live and Scrub Oaks whose limbs are completely lined with Resurrection Ferns. We also saw ten Armadillos, turkey, and White-tailed Deer, as well as many cows. Tyler even got to go on his first horseback ride, while riding with his grandpa, on my sister’s fiancé, Justin’s beautiful horse named Jack. It was an afternoon that made for many happy memories and we ended it with supper at Five Guys!

A gorgeous pasture setting along the Grassy Island Trail

The Mommy turkey and two of her four babies enjoying eating the corn my Dad puts out for them

Monday morning we drove back to Orlando with my parents and got to enjoy lunch all together before they dropped us off at the airport. After giving hugs and saying our goodbyes, we went through security, and were back home several hours later. Lots of happy memories were made in our several days spent there! Today, Wes and I have been catching up and will be back to painting full swing tomorrow.

To view all our many exhibits: http://www.artofwildlife.com/exhibitschedule.html

“Collect the future’s history today while it is still affordable.”

Until next time ~ Rachelle

“Organic buildings are the strength and lightness of the spiders’ spinning, buildings qualified by light, bred by native character to everyone and married to the ground.”
~ Frank Lloyd Wright

An historic barn and mill at the Museum of Appalachia

Wes’ parents arrived last Sunday evening for a week long visit. It was a very busy week as we drove to different destinations to see new sites! The first day was spent at the beautiful Museum of Appalachia about an hour drive from home. It was a gorgeous day, as we walked around looking at the old historical homes, buildings and barns on the property. The best part of the visit was watching the resident peacocks, chickens, goats and sheep! There were several lambs and kids, that were all so adorable, and the male peacocks were extremely handsome, as they walked gracefully about the grounds, sporting their gorgeous plumage! The resident roosters were prancing about as well, with their full and fluffy tails waving in the breeze. There was so much to see, and the setting itself is so beautiful, with the pastures skirted by the densely tree-filled forest.  There was a couple of large old buildings too, which were filled with historical artifacts. Some things we had never seen before and found completely amazing. We walked about in them, for a couple of hours looking, reading and simply trying to take it all in. So sit back and relax, as you take a photo journey around the museum with me . . .

A few of the precious resident sheep

A beautiful old mill on the grounds

Me in a portable old jail cell

One of the handsome males, strutting his stuff!

A “bird’s eye view” from atop an old barn

Looks like a perfect spot for a summertime picnic!

The next day, we went and saw the Norris Dam, and the surrounding area, including a historic old mill and barn. Unfortunately, we were there on the wrong day, so the mill wasn’t working and the museum wasn’t open, so this is on our “to do again” list for the future. We were blessed with another beautiful day, as we drove around the curvy road leading up to the dam, where we were offered a beautiful view of the man-made lake and surrounding area. A highlight for Wes and I was when he spotted a beautiful water snake, laying by a small stream that descends from where the mill sits. Needless to say, that was certainly a photo we had to take!

Me along with George and Jeanie in front of an old mill near the Norris State Park

A nice sighting!

Wes and I in front of the Norris Dam

George and I hamming it up a bit

Wes standing by a slice of the Triginia Elm, which was stated to be the largest American Elm in the US, and probably world, in 1961

Wednesday was a rainy one, and thus a perfect day for riding around the loop in Cades Cove. The mountains appeared lush and moist under the thick cloud covered sky, creating a perfect afternoon for the deer to come out and enjoy the fields of fresh grass. We saw deer and turkey in many of the open fields, as well as two Black Bears, with one being a mommy with her precious cub. As we drove around the cove,  small puffs of clouds rose between the mountains in areas, making it look like there were scattered fires burning below. This is actually where the Smoky Mountains got their name, not from the pollution that hangs around here in the summer, making the mountains look hazy. The cloud formed smoke is really a very neat thing to see!

Clouds appearing to be rising smoke, with deer in the foreground

Thursday morning we drove over the mountains and through the Smokies, as we headed over to Cashiers, NC. We arrived in time to eat lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, Cornucopia, before visiting a couple of the local birding and wildlife shops. After looking at the beautiful Lake Glenville, and the downtown section of Cashiers, we drove the short, but pretty drive through curvy mountain roads, to see the gorgeous Whitewater Falls. It was a spectacular site as always, running with full speed as it crashed down the mountainside, to the river below. We walked down to the viewing platform, where we just stood and admired it for a time. We stood there listening to the music of the falling water mixed with the jubilant sounds of birds singing, with an occasional knocking of a woodpecker on a nearby tree joining the symphony, all to the peaceful background sounds of the breeze blowing through the pine trees! Nature’s symphony . . . there’s nothing quite like it!

The stunning Whitewater Falls

After lunch on our back porch Friday, we spent the afternoon walking around nearby Elkmont located in the Smokies and enjoyed looking at the old cabins that are being restored, and can now be explored inside.  It was quite interesting, as we walked back in time, imagining what life must’ve been like for the folks that spent their summers there by the river.  We then walked up a nearby hiking trail that follows along the river for some distance before we turned and began our walk back.  There were several different wildflowers in bloom, all adding to the beauty of the trail surroundings.

Jeanie and I in front of some of the newly restored cabins in Elkmont

Wes gives me a big kiss at Elkmont!

After enjoying lunch at our favorite Thai restaurant, Lemon Grass, Saturday, we drove up the road leading to the “Dragon” to see the Calderwood Dam. After driving down a short distance we realized one couldn’t see much from there, so we continued going along, and quickly realized, that we were on the Dragon, and on a Saturday at that! Oh well, when given lemons, one makes lemon aide, so we decided to enjoy this adventure, all of us that is but poor Wes, who was doing the driving! The “Dragon” is known as the road with the most curves in the US per mile and was filled with motorcycles ripping around the curves some lying almost completely sideways as they flew around the sharp curves. There were people scattered about some of the curves taking photos of motorcycles and vehicles as they passed, so we decided to make the most of this opportunity and roll down our windows and smile at the photographers as we passes them! We stopped on the way back to get a photo of the dam in the distance, but must admit we felt totally out of place in our minivan! It was quite thrilling to watch these thrill seeking cyclists fly along this winding road! We returned home in time for me to make my homemade spaghetti for an early Mother’s Day dinner for Jeanie, which we enjoyed on our back porch. This morning we said our good-byes, and so tomorrow it’s back to painting for Wes and I.

Jeanie and I in front of the Calderwood Dam

A gorgeous view from the Foothills Parkway

We all thought this bike looks a lot like a Praying Mantis!

~ Upcoming Events and Exhibitions of Our Paintings This Week ~

diVINI sorsi d’ARTE Event with the MiniaturArte Association of Italy May 19th at the National Archaeological Museum of Spina, in Ferrara, Italy

21st International Miniature Show at the Seaside Art Gallery in Nags Head, NC

 The Art of the Miniature XX at the SnowGoose Gallery, Bethlehem, PA

  20th Annual International Juried Miniature Show at the Parklane Gallery, Kirkland, WA

Up Against the Wall Gallery, Kingsport, TN – This gallery has over a dozen of our paintings on display!

Blossom II: Art of Flowers at the Greenacres Arts Center, Cincinnati, OH

51st Society of Animal Artists “Art & the Animal” Exhibition at the Appleton Museum of Art, Ocala, FL

Art of the Dive: Portraits of the Deep at the Wildlife Experience, Parker (Denver), CO

To view all our many exhibits: http://www.artofwildlife.com/exhibitschedule.html

“Collect the future’s history today while it is still affordable.”

Until next time ~ Rachelle

“O God, what a world of beauty hast Thou made for man! And yet how poorly does he requite Thee for it! He does not even repay Thee with gratitude.”
~ Davy Crockett

My gorgeous, new Non-stop Fire Begonia

And . . . a world full of beauty it continues to be here in the Smokies! It seems some of our trees have already grown a foot or more, with the springtime growth now in full speed, and the shrubs and flowers are doing their best to keep up. The Peonies have put on a lovely show with big, gorgeous blooms in shades of white, pink and maroon! The Irises continue to surprise us daily with regal flowers in a variety of colors, as well. The garden is now starting to look like a real garden, and we’ve already been enjoying using fresh herbs in many of our dishes.

A beautiful Knockout Rose bloom, after a morning shower

We were very excited to witness firsthand the fledging of our baby Bluebirds this past week! While I was sitting in the studio painting one afternoon, I kept looking out of the window to check on the Bluebird babies, as they had became more active and started peeking out of the box earlier that day. Fortunately, as I was looking out one such time, I saw a baby jump up onto the hole opening and I told Wes to look, which he did just in time, as the baby sprang out and began his first flight, which amazingly was up towards the studio, where he tried unsuccessfully to land on one of the metal rungs of the deck, and crashed down below! Wes and I ran down the basement stairs, and peered out of the window, and there was baby blue sitting in the middle of Wes’ garden plant nursery! Maybe it was a bit rough on the plants, but it made a wonderful soft landing for the maiden flight and crash of baby blue! After we were able to get a few photos he flew up and landed on the nearby stair rail. It was about a half an hour later, when the next sibling decided to make the big leap out into the real world, and flew up into a nearby Tulip Poplar, we call our anniversary tree, as it started growing when we moved here, and is now a lovely big tree. The very next morning, the last baby fledged and we can hear the family, when they pay us a visit, with their happy little calls of “cheer”!

After the first initial crash landing!

Checking out the new surroundings . . .

Surveying the back forty . . . .

Daddy blues trying to coax out the next baby.

Fresh Off the Easel: I finished my sketch, which will be exhibited and available for purchase this fall during the Western Visions Miniatures and More Show, at the beautiful National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole, WY. I’m also continuing to paint on my commission of three adorable puppies taking a nap. Wes finished his miniature painting of three Terns, which we photographed during one of our recent trips to Florida. He very appropriately called it “Three Turned Terns”.

Pronghorn Buck drawing by Rachelle

“Three Turned Terns” by Wes
3 x 3 inches

Rachelle’s miniature painting commission of Lab puppies in progress

 

~ Upcoming Events and Exhibitions of Our Paintings This Week ~

21st International Miniature Show at the Seaside Art Gallery in Nags Head, NC

The Art of the Miniature XX at the SnowGoose Gallery, Bethlehem, PA

 20th Annual International Juried Miniature Show at the Parklane Gallery, Kirkland, WA

31st Annual Juried Miniatures Art Show at the El Dorado Gallery in Colorado Springs, CO

Up Against the Wall Gallery, Kingsport, TN – This gallery has over a dozen of our paintings on display!

Blossom II: Art of Flowers at the Greenacres Arts Center, Cincinnati, OH

51st Society of Animal Artists “Art & the Animal” Exhibition at the Appleton Museum of Art, Ocala, FL

Art of the Dive: Portraits of the Deep at the Wildlife Experience, Parker (Denver), CO

To view all our many exhibits: http://www.artofwildlife.com/exhibitschedule.html

“Collect the future’s history today while it is still affordable.”

Until next time ~ Rachelle

“Our task must be to free ourselves . . . by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.”

~ Albert Einstein

Looks like Chippy is real mad . . . . . Ha Ha!

What a sheer delight our feathered and furry friends are to us, and how they keep us so well entertained throughout the day! The above photo of our beloved Chippy was taken out of our studio window one day this past week, and I found it to be simply hilarious, as she looked like she was really mad about something! With her tiny, furry, little fist all balled up and a scowl on her face, I thought perhaps she was mad that the corn had run out in the critter barn! Who knows for sure, but oh . . . what a great photo opportunity it made for!

As you walk around our yard or sit on the porch, you hear baby birds cheeping in surround sound, as the yard is full of various bird nests, teeming with life from all the little ones! If you’ve ever watched  parent birds taking care of their young, you will have undoubtedly noticed that many times after feeding the young ones, a parent flies off with what we bird lovers call “baby diapers”. Although many of our feathered baby’s diapers are being carried off into nearby neighbor’s yards to be dropped, we’ve noticed a peculiar thing occurring this past week. Several of our resident birds, although nesting in the neighbor’s boxes and yards, are bringing their “diapers” and dropping them on our back porch, before refilling their beaks with more food! After watching this for some time, I decided as we all like to say, “Home is where you hang your hat”, I decided for our feathered friends “Home is where you drop your diapers!” Ha Ha!!!

Mr. and Mrs. Blue have decided that they love the extra help with feeding their baby Bluebirds, and are always ready and eager for us to put out mealworms in their special feeder tray! They swoop down, and try to pick every last worm up in their beak, many times dropping them on the ground nearby, before going to cram the wriggling packs of protein into the babies’ hungry mouths. They then return to the feeder and sit patiently watching the ground looking for any sign of movement and then dive down to get the escaping worms. Sometimes they don’t find them all, so we quickly find them and place them back into the feeder, where they come right away and collect them. Now many times when we walk outside, if the parents are nearby, they “cheer” to us as if to say, “Hey . . . another order of worms please!”

Mommy Blue with a mouthful of wriggling mealworms, which we just placed there for her to feed the babies!

Daddy Blue gets a worm too, and it makes him appear to have a very nice mustache in this photo!

A thrill filled my heart as I looked out one morning this past week and saw Baby Bach, our precious little dove baby that was raised in the nest built outside our bathroom window, and grew up listening to classical music, mainly compositions by Bach. Thus the name Bach seemed quite appropriate for this little precious one! It was his first visit to our back porch diner, and after spending the first few minutes trying to get his parent to feed him, he finally realized it was just as easy to eat this readily supply of cracked corn himself, and went to town he did! It was adorable to sit and watch the family, and fortunately I was able to capture this precious moment in time with my camera. Although I haven’t seen him on the porch that much, I heard him just a bit ago calling out his gentle whistle call, that many baby birds make.

Baby Bach’s (middle) first breakfast at the Siegrist Diner

Still wanting mommy to feed him at times

Wes got a new pressure washer recently and used it for the first time this past week on our deck which greatly needed to be cleaned, especially with all of the splattered baby bird diapers all over it! HA! It seemed that in no time Wes was done, and it looked so much better. The critters and birds were quite happy too when he finished so they could resume their eating and diaper splattering rituals. We enjoyed time spent with several friends throughout the week. We had friends, Fred and Barb, over for supper one evening to enjoy my homemade lasagna, fresh salad and peanut butter pie, then afterwards we watched a classic Bob Hope movie, and did quite a bit of laughing. Another day our dear artist friend Tricia came for a luncheon and spent the remainder of the afternoon with us. She and I painted on the back porch. The weather was perfect and a sheer delight while painting and enjoying visits from the numerous birds, squirrels and chipmunks throughout the afternoon. With the Wisteria still in full splendor, and surrounding us with lavender flowers, it was a picture perfect setting.

Wes blasting off the bird bath!

Some of the neighbor friends attending our fire pit party

My dad has also recently been enjoying watching the growth of a few baby Carolina Wrens that were raised in a nest, which was built in his barn. This is the 2nd or 3rd year now that these smart parents have nested in this safe haven, and didn’t mind at all my dad working nearby while occasionally talking to these precious little ones! What a great place they found to build a beautiful little nest, and after my dad sent me the photos, I thought I’d share them with you too! They all fledged the other day, and my dad and sister Hayley were there to watch this beginning of a new way of life take place! What a treat!

Fresh Off the Easel: Wes is currently working on a secret commission, and I finished my painting of a beautiful Raven that we photographed during one of our wonderful trips out West. I loved how the sun light hit it just right, causing the black feathers to come to life with various iridescent colors! I decided to paint a metallic gold background behind this iconic, western beauty. It’s a special powder that has to be mixed with the correct amount of water and then carefully painted over a warm wash that had already been laid down. Since it can be accidentally smeared until sealed with a varnish, it had to be handled and painted very carefully, and I must admit that it made me a bit nervous. This painting will be exhibited and available for purchase this fall during the Western Visions Miniatures and More Show, at the beautiful National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole, WY.

“A Western Icon” 3.5 x 3.5 inches

We were excited to learn this past week that two of our miniature paintings were accepted into the prestigious 52nd Society of Animal Artists “Art & the Animal” Exhibition

“Gobble!Gobble!Gobble!” by Rachelle

“The Itsy Bitsy Spider” by Wes

~ Upcoming Events and Exhibitions of Our Paintings This Week ~

~ 21st International Miniature Show at the Seaside Art Gallery in Nags Head, NC. This show opens April 28th and runs through June 2nd. Miniatures are displayed in the gallery, as they arrive, so are some miniatures are already on display including ours.

Up Against the Wall Gallery, Kingsport, TN – This gallery has over a dozen of our paintings on display!

Blossom II: Art of Flowers at the Greenacres Arts Center, Cincinnati, OH

51st Society of Animal Artists “Art & the Animal” Exhibition at the Appleton Museum of Art, Ocala, FL

Art of the Dive: Portraits of the Deep at the Wildlife Experience, Parker (Denver), CO

To view all our many exhibits: http://www.artofwildlife.com/exhibitschedule.html

“Collect the future’s history today while it is still affordable.”

Until next time ~ Rachelle