Posted by: Rachelle Siegrist | May 12, 2013

An Exciting Weekend at the Cane River Club!

the old lodge

The beautiful old lodge built in 1928

The anticipation has been building for weeks, and the time finally arrived for us to leave early this past Friday morning, for our exciting invitation to spend the weekend at the private Cane River Club! As usual, the drive through the Smoky Mountain National Park was beautiful, and several turkeys were spotted along the way, as we drove the winding roads. We arrived at Cane River in time for lunch, and were greeted by smiling faces and warm hugs from friends! We were treated to gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato and rice soup, and homemade brownies, fresh and warm from the oven! Needless to say, it was all simply delicious and the resident cook, Mary Lou, had won us all over with that first totally yummy meal! We all caught up on our latest happenings over the meal, and then headed out in different directions to enjoy the afternoon. Wes and I watched friend, Niek, get his first lesson in fly fishing for awhile, before enjoying a nice and relaxing walk with our dear collector friend, John, who told us some of the history of this amazing place and how it all got started. After walking about a mile and a half, up the beautiful trail, which follows alongside the river, we reached what is known as Blue Sea Falls. With the recent rain, it was running with great force and created a thunderous roar as it descended over the rock face to the emerald green pool below! The road back was lined on both sides with lush collections consisting of various species of wildflowers, and mounds of thick green moss.

The road to the falls

Wes and John walking the road to the falls

painted trillium photo

A lovely Painted Trillium along the walk

cane river club

A gorgeous fungus decked out in water droplets

We returned back to the lodge in time to enjoy just sitting on the inviting and spacious front porch, and visit for awhile. Soon, amidst lots of conversation and laughter, a delicious selection of appetizers was brought onto the porch, for everyone to enjoy, which we all did right away! In no time the tasty cheese dip was a thing of the past! Dinnertime soon arrived, and we all migrated indoors to fill our plates with the flavorful salmon, topped with a scrumptious almond sauce, as well as several other delicious treats. We found our places at the large wooden dining room table and enjoyed great conversation and an abundance of laughter as we savored every bite of this delectable meal! To top it all off, the dessert consisted of heavenly strawberry shortcake! However, the evening’s entertainment and enjoyment were far from over, as the dance tunes were cranked up and most of us hit the great room floor at one time or the other, to join in with others and show off our amazing, and sometimes not so amazing, dance moves! If laughter is as they say, the best medicine, we should’ve all went to bed extremely healthy that night! And, if nothing else, we burned up quite a few of the few calories consumed during the evening meal! It was close to midnight, when we all finally turned in, and Wes and I were thrilled to be lulled to sleep, by the peaceful and relaxing sounds of the nearby river drifting in through our open bedroom window!

On the front porch

The gang enjoys relaxing and eating appetizers on the porch . . . notice who has the bowl!

At the dining room table

A view of our wonderful dinner group from above

Mary Lou's salmon

The delicious salmon with almond sauce

The next morning found us all up and at it and ready for the adventures that lay ahead that day. Breakfast was another delicious meal of fluffy scrambled eggs, creamy grits and amazing homemade biscuits! With tummies filled, we were ready to head out. I had really hoped to learn to fly fish while we were there, so Wes and I decided to try our hand at it. After being suited up with appropriate waders and boots, and feeling quite professional, we headed up to the river, with Forrest, their wonderful fishing guide, leading the way. Upon Wes’ gracious insistence, I was the first to give it a go, so following behind Forrest, I waded out into the swift moving water and watched and listened carefully as he began teaching me how to go about this sport. Soon the rod was in my hands and I was casting out into the pools and hoping for a taker. In what seemed like no time, I caught a small one, and was thrilled! We slowly made our way upstream, stopping to cast several times in each tempting pool. By this time I had caught a tree and a rock, which Forrest patiently freed my fly from, and after casting into a really nice looking pool, there was a tug on the line. At first I wasn’t sure if it was a trout or another rock, but quickly realized that it was indeed a trout and began trying to bring it in. Unfortunately I learned the heartbreaking way to not “choke the line” and after He, Wes and I all three got a good look at the fish, it got away. They figured it was over a two pound Brown Trout, and my heart was pounding by this time, and so very sad at the same time, as the big one had got away! We continued our way up the swift moving river, stopping to tempt the possible trout in each inviting pool. After several casts, and no takers, Forrest would say “Well, nobody’s home” and we would make our way to the next spot. It was in one of these spots that “It” happened. I felt a tug and set the hook just right, and within a few minutes I had pulled in a 17 inch . . . or more I thought . . . two-pound Rainbow Trout, which Forrest now had safely in his net! I was thrilled and was as proud as could be, as I held up my BIG trout so Wes could take our photo! As you can imagine after this, Forrest was now one of my newest best friends, and we spent the next couple of hours with me catching . . . and missing . . . trout, with Wes cheering me on! Unfortunately my “Just one more cast” turned into several more, and Wes only got to fish for a short time, in which he caught at least two.

fly fishing photo

Our wonderful guide, Forrest, with me proudly holding my prized catch of the day!

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My very BIG Rainbow Trout . . . I’m still sure it was very close to the 18 inch trophy size if stretched just a wee bit!

fly fishing photo

Wes preparing to cast in another perfect pool

flyfishermen

All suited up and ready to go catch fish!

We had worked up an appetite that morning and returned in time for lunch, which was once again delicious, complete with fresh cookies from the oven! The ladies soon returned from their shopping excursion, and graciously listened to my stories recounting the fish I caught, especially my BIG fish, and the one that got away, which was growing larger by the hour! That afternoon Wes and I enjoyed taking a hike back up to the beautiful Blue Sea Falls, and this time went all the way to the bottom of the falls. It was breathtakingly beautiful as, as it roared and thundered its way to the deep blue pool of water below, creating a spectacular view! We were blessed to have the sun make an appearance for a few minutes, while we photographed the falls, and then it disappeared once again for the remainder of the day. After soaking in the mesmerizing scene for a bit, we started our hike back, which led us along a small path clinging to the edge of the mountain through a thicket of Rhododendrons, which opened up at the river’s edge, where an old ancient-looking wooden bridge led the way back across the one stream, to the main trail. It was indeed a relaxing and peaceful walk as we went along taking in the lovely view of the surrounding lush forest and enjoying the sounds of the Cane River flowing in the background.

waterfall photo

Wes and I in front of the Blue Sea Falls that is on the property, along with six other waterfalls!

The old bridge leading to the falls

What a great old bridge!

Blue Sea Falls

Standing in front of the falls

Later that afternoon we returned back to the lodge, and after a failed attempt to find John and Forrest fishing, we enjoyed sitting on the porch and talking with our dear friend Stephen, from the Yadkin Cultural Arts Center. It was a great way to ring in the evening, just sitting and relaxing while enjoying the ever-changing view of the mountains in the distance, as the clouds swirled and drifted above, at times dipping down into them, creating one breathtaking landscape scene after another. Before long, dinnertime had arrived once again, and Mary Lou didn’t have to call any of us twice! We were treated to delicious appetizers consisting of Forrest’s freshly picked and sauteed Morel Mushrooms and Ramps, Niek’s yummy homemade guacamole, as well as Mary Lou’s Salmon dip and deviled eggs. Then came another delicious and memorable meal, and for dessert we were treated to a piece of scrumptious lemon cheesecake, which was so silky it seemed to just melt away in your mouth! For the remainder of the evening, we enjoyed playing a game called Password, in which we formed two teams with the girls playing against the guys. And you can probably guess who won . . . the girls! What a great way to end the evening, so at least the girls thought, and then it was time to turn in for the night.

mountain view

The gorgeous view from the front porch of the lodge

The great room

Dancing the night away . . . Niek is up videoing the amazing moves!

cane river club

Wes looks on as Forrest shows us how to fix a real mountain dish of Morels and Ramps

Soon afterwards, Wes and I found ourselves snug in bed, being lulled to sleep once again by the peaceful sound of the river. This morning was to be our last, so we quickly packed our things before breakfast, which featured a delicious asparagus quiche, homemade fluffy pancakes, filled with big plump fresh blueberries, and fresh fruit. Sitting around the large table once more, we talked about the highlights from the weekend and upcoming plans, as we enjoyed eating this last meal together, and I exclaimed to everyone about how very, very sore my right arm was this morning after pulling in that BIG trout yesterday . . . ha ha! Our last laughs were enjoyed, and thanks were given to Mary Lou for her delicious meals and to very enjoyable and hard working manager, Travis, for all of his efforts helping to make it a terrific weekend for all! Goodbyes were said and hugs were given as we loaded into our vehicles and started the lovely drive out and eventually made our way home. Wes and I cannot thank our dear collector friends, John and Donna enough, for blessing us with this amazing and memorable opportunity, which I’m sure Wes and I will be talking about for years to come!!!

Woodland Salamander

A gorgeous Woodland Salamander which Wes spotted for me!

This past week we also enjoyed having our new artist friend living here in Townsend, Kit Gentry, over to enjoy an Italian dinner on the porch, and to talk about art, among other interesting topics.  Kit does beautiful landscape paintings, many of which feature Hawaii, not surprising since he enjoyed living in that amazing place for many years!  We so enjoyed our visit with him and are looking to many more! We were also very pleased to learn upon returning home and to our computer, that we’ve sold several miniature paintings this past week at various miniature shows! If you’re looking for a great fishing guide in the TN-NC area, I highly recommend Forrest and you can contact him through www.hunterbanks.com

Currently On Our Easels: I finished my painting of  a mother and calf cow for Trailside Galleries Invitational Miniature Show and Wes finished painting a swan. Now  I’m excited to return to my still life painting of chocolate this next week!

miniature cow painting

“An Affectionate Nuzzle” by Rachelle

swan painting

“That Golden Glow” by Wes

Come See Our Paintings This Week:

21st Annual International Juried Miniature Show

Until June 2, 2013: Parklane Gallery, Kirkland, WA

 

22nd International Miniature Show

Until June 1, 2013: Seaside Art Gallery, Nags Head, NC

 

The Art of the Miniature XXI

Until – June 16, 2013: The Snow Goose Gallery, Bethlehem, PA

 

Painting America Invitational Art Show

Until June 22, 2013: Artistic Designs Gallery, Brownsburg, IN

 

EXQUISITE MINIATURES Tour Produced by David J. Wagner

Until June 2 at the Museum Of The Gulf Coast, Port Arthur, TX

The Sea of Cortez Produced by David J. Wagner

Until June 2nd at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, AZ

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

 

 Have a loved one or a beloved pet you would like captured in miniature? Contact and commission us!

Don’t forget to “Sign Up” to receive an email each time I update the blog!

Until next time ~ Rachelle

 

 

Posted by: Rachelle Siegrist | May 5, 2013

Critter Encounters and a Step by Step Miniature Painting Video

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Me with my precious little Tinymouse friend on my head!

The past week has proved to be quite interesting! Tinymouse, one of our little resident Tufted Titmice, which surprisingly landed on my head one evening last week, has done so numerous times again, mainly when I’m sitting on the backporch eating breakfast or supper, and even while I have been walking around in the backyard, and working on my flowers! She obviously wants to add a bit of my curls to her nest, and works diligently at times trying to gather a beak full, while at other times, she simply sits on my shoulder. Needless to say, I definitely have a new hairstylist! Such delight she brings me each time we have this amazing encounter! One evening this past week, at one point during a meal, while Tinymouse was sitting atop my head, Peedeepeeps, my Carolina Wren friend, had sauntered up to my dinner plate to check out my pasta noodles, and looked up at me as if to say . . . “Is this all you have to offer me?” I felt like I was Snow White, and as if I were living in a fairytale at that moment!

photo of a Tufted Titmouse

At times she sits on my shoulder

photo of a Tufted Titmouse

She’s trying her best to take a beak full of hairs with her!

Almost daily I have been able to scrounge up enough mealworms to give Peedeepeeps, to feed his precious babies. One evening, I sat on the steps leading from the back deck, while Peedeepeeps came and got two at a time from my hand and flew nearby to where his babies were and would feed them. Each time I could hear the tweets of delight as he stuffed the little hungry beaks with the worms! Then he would quickly fly back and sit by me as he patiently, and sometimes not so patiently, waited for me to sift through the cornmeal and find more worms. This went on for quite sometime, until the worm population had greatly decreased! Other evenings he even brought them up onto the back porch, and we would carry out this same activity, with me finding worms and giving them to him, then with him flying directly over to feed the hungry little ones. What a great experience and treat for me to help be able to feed these little ones!

azalea photo

One of our lovely Azaleas in full bloom

azalea photo

A lovely cluster of white Azalea blossoms

azalea photo

A bright and cheery section of blooming Azaleas in our front yard

There has been a force of destruction slowly making its way around Townsend the past two months, and unfortunately it came up into our neighborhood this past week. I call it “The East Tennessee Chainsaw Massacre!” . . . compliments of our local power companies! Many of our neighbors spent hours pleading and arguing their cases to try and save their beloved trees, or at least part of them! We were able to save at least one small lower limb on our beautiful Ornamental Cherry Tree, although every limb from that point up was taken off to the trunk on the one side. However, I’m afraid our poor neighbors across the street fared the worst out of the neighborhood, as I believe the man in the bucket, with the saw, had a fit of rage there and sawed everything in sight way back from the power line, including a three-foot tall native Dogwood Tree, which the power company had given them two years prior to plant there! The uncanny thing is that that very morning, Wes hung my new garden flag which features Winnie-the-pooh and Tigger on it and reads “Trees are my friends!” Now I’m searching for another flag which reads “Most of my friends are now gone or maimed!” I do believe the saddest loss, was a neighbor’s three-foot native Mountain Laurel, at which we all enjoyed admiring its dainty blooms each spring, which they cut to the ground! Oh well . . . something’s are just out of our hands I suppose.

boom truck

With them being able to go that high, no tree or limb is safe!

Bleeding Heart blossom photo

A gorgeous Bleeding Heart blossom

tuip flowers

Two very pretty Tulips!

This past Friday evening, Wes and I enjoyed attending a concert by the Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra at the beautiful Theater in the Park, along the Maryville Greenbelt. It was a lovely and chilly evening as we sat under blankets while enjoying the beautiful and soothing melodious tunes pouring from the amphitheater. The evening concert started off with the lovely sounds of Giachini Rossini’s “La Gazza Ladra Overture”. Baby Starlings were in a nest, which was located in the top of the amphitheater, and each time a parent would return with a tasty morsel with which to fill their open beaks, they would sing out in excited tweets, which the sound system then picked up and played loudly along with the music! The best part was that they almost seemed to time it as if adding their own musical touch to the performance! A couple of songs later, one of my favorites, the upbeat tempo of Scott Joplin’s “The Entertainer” was played. The fun and delightful tune of Leory Anderson’s “Syncopated Clock’ and “Home Stretch” were then enjoyed and brought the crowd to life! In the second part, a melody form “Les Miserables” as well as selection from “Titanic” filled the night air, and seemed to slowly melt there before completely drifting away. At this point, the Chimney Swifts came out and filled the late evening sky above as they swirled around and around, performing a most graceful aeronautical ballet, while catching insects and filling the air with their own beautiful tunes! It was a most beautiful evening and another great memory!

The Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra

The Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra

Currently On Our Easels: I am working on a mother and calf cow for Trailside Galleries Invitational Miniature Show and Wes is painting a swan.

We were delighted this morning to receive the news that we each had a painting juried into the 53rd Annual Art & the Animal Exhibition of the Society of Animal Artists! My “Birds And Art” and Wes’ “Going, Going … Gone!” will join the rest of the world-class wildlife art to premiere at the Bennington Center for the Arts in Bennington, VT. We’re very much looking forward to being back in Vermont in the fall to enjoy the stunning fall colors!

inca dove

“Inca Dove” by Wes ~ 3½ x 2½ inches


Watch the one-minute demonstration video for how Wes painted this painting!

American Bison drawing

“American Bison” by Rachelle ~ 2 x 4 inches
Drawing for Western Visions Miniatures & More Exhibition

seagull painting

“In The Shallow Surf” by Wes
~ 2 x 3 inches

Come See Our Paintings This Week:

21st Annual International Juried Miniature Show

Until June 2, 2013: Parklane Gallery, Kirkland, WA

 

22nd International Miniature Show

Until June 1, 2013: Seaside Art Gallery, Nags Head, NC

 

The Art of the Miniature XXI

Until – June 16, 2013: The Snow Goose Gallery, Bethlehem, PA

 

Painting America Invitational Art Show

Until June 22, 2013: Artistic Designs Gallery, Brownsburg, IN

 

EXQUISITE MINIATURES Tour Produced by David J. Wagner

Until June 2 at the Museum Of The Gulf Coast, Port Arthur, TX

The Sea of Cortez Produced by David J. Wagner

Until June 2nd at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, AZ

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

 

 Have a loved one or a beloved pet you would like captured in miniature? Contact and commission us!

Don’t forget to “Sign Up” to receive an email each time I update the blog!

Until next time ~ Rachelle

Posted by: Rachelle Siegrist | April 28, 2013

A Visit From Family and Feathered Friends!

George, Wes, Jeanie and Rachelle

The happy Hikers!

Wow . . . three exciting things happened this past week! Wes’ parents came to visit . . . Peedeepeeps ate meal worms from my hand, and Tinymouse the Titmouse, landed and sat on my head!!! As you can imagine, it was an exciting and fun filled week! Wes’ parents arrived a week ago today, and were welcomed by beautiful sunny skies above and pleasant spring weather. We enjoyed eating a dinner of my homemade spaghetti on our back porch. The dinner show for the evening consisted of my beloved Carolina Wren, Peedeepeeps, coming to eat mealworms out of my hand at the table! He and his mate, Elvira, were, and still are, feeding at least three babies. Needless to say, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the show!

carolina wren photo

My precious peedeepeeps getting mealworms for the babies

Monday was spent in town getting groceries and picnic supplies for the week ahead.  We also enjoyed a delicious lunch at our favorite Thai restaurant, Lemon Grass, and went to MacKay’s, my favorite used book and CD store, where I added to my growing Bossa Nova Jazz and classical music collection! Tuesday we enjoyed a picnic lunch, albeit a cold one, at the beautiful Metcalf Bottoms picnic area in the Smoky Mountain National Park. From there we ventured to the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, and enjoyed seeing the newly remodeled display of animals and flora and fauna from the Smokies. The remainder of the afternoon was spent walking the trail, which starts near the entrance to Gatlinburg. It was a lovely walk with lots of wildflowers blooming alongside the meandering path. The highlights of this trail, other than the beautiful river which leads beside it, are the remains of old homesteads, which still stand in several places. One can almost hear the voices of the families who once inhabited these places, when you stand quietly and listen.

 Metcalf Bottoms

Picnic time at Metcalf Bottoms

Lousewart blossoms

Very pretty and frilly Lousewart blossoms

old remains of a smoky mountain cabin

Some of the old remains along the trail

Dwarf Crested Iris photo

The small but gorgeous bloom of a Dwarf Crested Iris

Leaving there, we drove through the Park a ways before reaching the Elkmont area, where we walked along the Little River Trail for a couple of hours. There were even more wildflowers blooming beautifully along this lush walk, including several nice groups of Showy Orchids, which I always enjoy seeing! Once again the numerous patches of lush, bright green moss beckoned to be patted, as it looked so soft and thick! It was a relaxing walk as we went along taking photos of wildflowers and patting moss, with the sounds of the stream and various bird songs in the background. After sometime, we turned around and made our way back down the trail, at times seeing new wildflower blossoms that we had somehow missed on the way up. That evening we enjoyed a delicious supper at No Way Jose’s in Gatlinburg, a festive Mexican restaurant situated right along the river, and we got a window seat so we could watch the Mallards occasionally swim by.

Showy Orchid photo

The beautiful bloom of the Showy Orchid

gatlinburg trail

Waving from a bridge along the trail

trail in the smokies

This tree appeared to have jumped off the mountain and head first into the forest floor below!

Wednesday it was quite breezy, so we opted to eat our daily picnic on the backporch with my feathered friends. Afterwards, we enjoyed a drive into Cades Cove, where we saw lots of White-tailed Deer and turkey in the open fields, and at times in the forested areas nearby. With cloudy skies above, the almost iridescent green grasses in the fields below looked so pretty with the mountains serving as the backdrop, with bright pink, yellow and lime green colors of spring creeping up the mountainside. That evening we met friends Fred and Barb at a local restaurant, the Black Bear Café. It was yummy as usual and we all enjoyed playing a game of Mexican Train Dominoes at our house afterwards.

cades cove photo

Cades Cove dressed in spring

Swallowtail butterfly photo

A gorgeous Swallowtail poses nicely for a photo!

 

squawroot photo

A nice collection of Squawroot

Thursday we headed for our picnic destination, which was once again sunny, but still quite chilly! Nonetheless, it was beautiful as always, sitting there by the river while eating. With tummies full, we enjoyed riding along the winding drive through the Park until we reached the Chimney Tops picnic area. There is a nice wildflower trail there, which was being enjoyed by many that day! We started our journey upward, and were immediately greeted by what appeared to be hundreds of Great White Trillium, of which many had turned, or were starting to turn, pink! It was simply stunning, as they seemed to be everywhere, and in my two favorite shades of pink . . . light and hot pink no less! Joining the Trillium were the fluffy and showy blossoms of Foam Flowers, as well as the dainty, miniature blossoms of Bishops Cap. The forest floor was alive with one of natures finest flower shows! The small fringe-edged white flowers on the Phacelia were also still blooming throughout, although they reaching the end of their spectacular springtime show. The walk was a real treat as we enjoyed the streams that followed and occasionally crossed the path, all sporting their own stunning collection of moss and blooming Watercress. There were several very large trees along this walk and I had to stop to give a hug to several of them. I even got Wes’ parents to join me in giving one very large tree a group hug! Each and every turn in the lushly lined path gave way to another amazing and gorgeous view filled with wildflowers and the forested landscape. Leaving there, we drove up the Park road a ways to see where the road had been taken out during a rockslide earlier this year. It was quite amazing to see, and they have done a wonderful job of repairing it already. That evening we met several neighbor friends at our local Pizza Hut for supper, before coming here afterwards to enjoy a little dessert and conversation.

great white trillium photo

A stunning Great White Trillium

Boomer or Red Squirrel

A precious little Boomer or Red Squirrel enjoys the blossoms too!

Squirrel corn Blossoms

Three lovely Squirrel Corn Blossoms

great white trillium photo

A nice clump of Great White Trillium

chimney tops trail

Ah-ha . . . We knew someone was following us . . . it’s a little forest gnome!

Friday we enjoyed another sunny, but chilly picnic before making our way into the Elkmont area in the Park. This historical section is always interesting and fun to visit, as it was a summer destination and a resort community in the early 1900s, and the remains of many of the cabins of that time remain. Walking the trail leading by a few of the remaining cabins, we made our way up to Cucumber Gap Trailhead, which we walked for quite sometime. There were several groupings of Fraser’s Sedge blooming along the trail, which are beautiful and look like a firework that has exploded! A highlight along the trail was a huge grapevine, which I climbed onto and enjoyed swinging on . . . I guess some kids never grow up! Anyway, we decided to go walk part of another nearby trail, so we headed back down and made our way to the other trail. It led down to a footbridge, which crossed a stream and then led by another old cabin and a few remains. Before long we had returned back to the starting point and it was time to head for home. Later, we enjoyed our supper while eating on the porch that evening. Saturday morning it was time to say our goodbyes and I thanked George again for bringing my early birthday present consisting of four large bags of peanuts for my birdies! Such a wonderful gift for my little friends and me!!!

cucumber gap trail

The perfect swing made by nature!

Fraser's sedge

The exploding blossoms of Fraser’s Sedge

bluets

A dainty clump of Bluets bloom by a stream

purple Phacelia blossoms

A hillside covered in the beautiful Purple Phacelia blossoms

The rest of the day was spent getting back to work and taking care of things with the business. That evening while lying on the couch, reading a book, I had the strange sensation that someone was watching me. So I sat up and turned and looked out the window and someone was … Peedeepeeps!  He was looking in the window at me and acting like he was trying to get my attention, so I got up and went to the window where I peered out and saw three beautiful and precious little baby Carolina Wrens sitting on the bottom rung of the chair under him. “Oh . . . Peedeepeeps babies have fledged!” I told Wes and ran to get some worms. I took them out onto the backporch and while I was feeding him worms to feed his babies, a Titmouse kept flying over and hovering above my head. Finally he landed on it and then climbed down the side a bit as if trying to look into my face! I was delighted with this visit and he sat there and started picking at the hair on my head. I slowly walked from one end of the porch to the other where our studio window is located, and softly tapped on the glass to get Wes’ attention inside. He immediately got up and took a few photos. My little buddy, Tinymouse, was content as could be sitting there and trying to collect his idea of perfect nesting material. It was all fun and games until he started tugging harder. Nonetheless, it was an amazing encounter with another one of my precious little feathered friends!

photo of a Tufted Titmouse

Hmmm . . . Tinymouse has a hold of a couple of hairs!

morel photo

Mmmmm . . . a gorgeous Morel mushroom growing in the park

great white trillium photo

A very tall tree with a beautiful Great White Trillium near Chimney Tops picnic area

 

Currently On Our Easels: I am working on my Bison drawing for the Western Visions Miniatures & More Show and Wes is painting an Inca Dove.

rooster painting miniature

“The Barnyard King” by Wes
~ 2 ¾ x 2 ¾ inches

 

~ Come See Our Paintings This Week ~

21st Annual International Juried Miniature Show

 

April 30 – June 2, 2013: Parklane Gallery, Kirkland, WA

 

 

 

22nd International Miniature Show

 

May 1 – June 1, 2013: Seaside Art Gallery, Nags Head, NC

 

 

 

The Art of the Miniature XXI

 

May 5 – June 16, 2013: The Snow Goose Gallery, Bethlehem, PA

 

 

 

Painting America Invitational Art Show

 

Until June 22, 2013: Artistic Designs Gallery, Brownsburg, IN

 

 

 

EXQUISITE MINIATURES Tour Produced by David J. Wagner

 

Until June 2 at the Museum Of The Gulf Coast, Port Arthur, TX

 

 

The Sea of Cortez Produced by David J. Wagner

 

Until June 2nd at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, AZ

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Have a loved one or a beloved pet you would like captured in miniature? Contact and commission us!

 

Don’t forget to “Sign Up” to receive an email each time I update the blog!

 

 

Until next time ~ Rachelle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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