#birdscanfly

Dearest #Birdlovers - Here I am 'gently referencing' the #Waxwing - This is the 49th drawing and look I've made in a series I call #BirdsCanFly - I think I'm getting the hang of it now. These birds have a very strong, almost imperial presence, something I tried to channel in this image. For the curious here's the link to this and the other 48 birds I've drawn in #lockdown. https://thepansyproject.myshopify.com/collections/frontpage/products/waxwing https://www.instagram.com/p/CFOus2pF8sK/?igshid=17wzp88tq3h5r

My #BirdsCanFly alphabet is expanding. Though it might be looking a bit mad on my shop as letters continue to grow I adore them, they’re all so fun. ‘L is for Lapwing’ celebrates one of my favourite birds and this drawing was challenging but a joy. Even the ‘gentle reference’ went super well for this one, I adore the outfit, makeup and the ‘misty eyed’ expression on my face. Sometimes things just work. It’s not always been like this. Some of you have the first edition of the L is for Lapwing, which I loved, though as the range expanded I felt the designs needed to be simpler, so I removed the name of the bird, which I think I think encourages for conversation and conservation. The Lapwing is ‘red’ on the RSPB’s conservation list and needs to have its profile raised! Help this precious little bird by sharing their story! Available now to buy (and this weekend it’s free UK delivery). #LinkinBio - https://bit.ly/3qWQw9u https://www.instagram.com/p/CKn_b7PlwyE/?igshid=1vkepg2rvk65j

I drew the Kirtland's Warbler in May and have only now managed to 'gently reference' it. At the time I wrote the below, where I explain why I selected this particular bird. This drawing is included in a new virtual exhibition at Spencer Museum of Art in Lawrence, Kansas. Explore the exhibition here: https://spencerart.ku.edu/artists-respond "In New York, on the 25th of May in the midst of the crisis, Christian Cooper went to Central Park to go birding, what transpired was a racially motivated event, Amy Cooper called 911, suggesting she was being attacked by an African American man, after an altercation about a dog and a leash. She weaponised her racism and a backlash in-sued. This happened on the same day George Floyd was murdered by police officers in Minneapolis, resulting in a much- needed escalation of the #BlackLivesMatter movement. On social media, as #BlackBirdersWeek emerged in response to the events in Central Park, I wanted to draw a Kirtland’s Warbler in solidarity. Cooper mentioned the bird in an interview with The New York Times. This led me to research the symbolism of birds in popular culture. I began exploring the personal and political meaning of birds and I am developing research into the naming, categorisation, colonisation, capture and breeding of birds throughout history. This research bolsters the reading of the birds posted on social media and the personal and political become entwined. What began as a personal consolation for my own mental turmoil has (according to the messages I’ve received) offered some solace to the people that follow me. I am acutely aware of how lucky I am during this time and I’m hugely grateful to have the luxury of expressing myself creatively whilst others struggle to survive. My motivation as an artist has returned and in some small way, I hope these drawings contribute to the creative response artists a driven to make in troubled times." My research continues on #BirdsCanFly For the curious here is where you can see all the birds I've drawn in #Lockdown https://thepansyproject.myshopify.com/collections/frontpage?sort_by=title-ascending https://www.instagram.com/p/CEuLgFVlHPH/?igshid=10zea7wqumfxp

Dearest #Birdlovers Much requested and left until my **50th Bird!** The Peacock! Drawn in #lockdown and 'gently referenced' by me. I've attempted to capture the extravagant beauty of this bird in a subtle way, with just a touch of glitter (bio-degradable). It was epic and has taken me three days to draw, colour and gently reference... This could mark the end of this project, that I call #BirdsCanFly... At least for the moment. For the curious the print has just been added to my shop, where you can see all FIFTY birds! https://thepansyproject.myshopify.com/collections/frontpage?sort_by=created-descending https://www.instagram.com/p/CFaF0FxFOfN/?igshid=80fhoirtvl7r

Morning #BirdLovers! Here's another in the series of me 'gently referencing' the birds I've drawn in #Lockdown, the #Jay is another of my favourite birds, I love the way the blue of their wings flash through our forests. I have even seen them occasionally around me here, in East London... And the particular print is in the top 3 of my best sellers over there on my shop, [https://thepansyproject.myshopify.com/collections/frontpage] and I've been ever so grateful for that support. As ever thank you for your 'likes' 'loves' 'comments' and 'shares'... #BirdsCanFly https://www.instagram.com/p/CEi3SDZl7-A/?igshid=hqaita2h1qdb

This was my week! More coming soon! Now - laundry, cleaning makeup brushes, general drawing duties in preparation for the next few birds... #BirdsCanFly #Birds #Drawing #Art #Lockdown https://www.instagram.com/p/CFCXMuVFkR5/?igshid=1gnepxf8z8fx7

Doing this made me laugh out loud! In my continuing series where I 'gently reference' the birds I've drawn in #Lockdown. Here's the #Nightingale, I drew this bird early on in #Lockdown, just as the Nightingale Hospitals were launching and when the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth was being celebrated. When it came to draw this bird it was bonkers how nearly every depiction shows the bird singing, for obvious reasons. So I simply had to do that too. Here I am whistling along to the song of the nightingale. I felt very silly doing it, but it's hilarious! (to me anyway!) - Here's the video I was actually whistling to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK2_bcQcoD4 #BirdsCanFly - For the curious here's the link to the print. https://thepansyproject.myshopify.com/products/nightingale?_pos=1&_psq=nightingale%20&_ss=e&_v=1.0 https://www.instagram.com/p/CE9a6zTFt2V/?igshid=dqejca1lgd3h

Dearest #Birdlovers - Here's a bird that took an age to draw, its incredibly detailed plumage is iridescent so very complex to colour too. This was such a common sight during my childhood, sadly they're on the decline in the UK and are on the 'red' list according to @rspb_love_nature - "Red is the highest conservation priority, with species needing urgent action"... it's a different story in America, in 1890 about 100 #Starlings were introduced in to Central Park in New York. They are now one of the most abundant birds in North America. This continues the series I call #BirdsCanFly, where I also 'gently reference' the birds I've drawn in #Lockdown. For those that may be so inclined, there's a print available of the Starling, here on my shop: [https://thepansyproject.myshopify.com/collections/frontpage/products/starling] https://www.instagram.com/p/CEWz0ECFG8y/?igshid=44r6w18qrxvf