Regina Calton Burchett – Drawings & Pastels

I love this bird – he sits over my desk, quietly whispering “nevermore”, although I think he’s actually a crow. He doesn’t mind, he still says the word. This is my source bird, and three stages of drawing him.

Next, I finally finished this little rooster that gave me fits. Probably because I always thought it was a female…

Iron Bird - Perseverance

Pencil on art paper.

Hope springs eternal. I may not have been able to draw every day as I intended, but I’ll keep trying. It’s definitely worth the effort.
This drawing is of another of my iron birds – a little guy I’ve always loved. Not pretentious, just content within himself.

Celery Rose --------- Celery Rose ala Mac --------- CRM

This one reminds me of a Charles Rennie Mackintosh rose, as seen above. I’ve always loved Art Noveau, and I especially love Rennie Mac’s designs for their simplicity and mathematical elegance.

Actually a rooster, but he’s kind of funky from some perspectives.

My friend, Jo Castillo, sketches in ink. Only in ink. Way too much pressure. So irrevocable. I will generally draw in pencil until I get it like I want it, then draw it in ink. But I thought, what the heck, and attempted to capture this little guy (about 2 1/2 inches high) in ink. Ever fearless.

I’ve always loved this little guy. He stays out with my plants all spring, summer, and fall, but every now and then I look down, and there he is in the dirt, with his feet up in the air. Croaked again.

I missed drawing my bird last night, so am posting a painting I’ve been thinking about. I’ve been visualizing this in my mind – I loved the photo I took back in 1989, and I loved the final piece when I painted it back in 2007 (above). Now I want to try it again, with a limited palette of light rust and grey. Somewhat like the revised image below. Another change I want to make to it is to refine the basic elements of the painting.

Angry bird, pencil, white paper

Not sure what this fat fellow is mad about, but he had a definite scowl. Maybe because his shadow looks like a fish. This one doesn’t have as much detail as the previous two.

I was settling into bed at 10:20 and realized that I hadn’t done a sketch today. So I hauled myself into the dining room and did this quick sketch, just so I don’t let myself down.
Any practice is better than no practice at all.
And habits must be built through repetition.

Pencil and white paper

Drawing of another bird from those I’ve collected over the years, and keep in with my plants.

I look for grace, strength and wisdom to meet the changes and challenges that will come this year.

One of my many goals for the new year, drawing or painting or doing some type of art every day is at the top of my list. This is a sketch from this evening of a small iron bird that I found in Fredericksburg this weekend.  No. 2 pencil on white paper.

The second item on my goal list is to ask “will this matter in an hour… or next week?”, before I react to something in a negative way. There is so much to learn in life, and to instill as part of our character. I want to learn to value what is truly important and to be grateful. Period.

Art Cards
I have several paintings I’m working on, but this week is mainly devoted to getting my art, cards, prints, display and prices together for the Travis Heights Art Trail. The forecast says rain, but I’m setting up my display frame and tent with the sides, so come visit, whatever the weather!! I will be at 1410 Travis Heights Blvd, Saturday and Sunday, from 11am to 5pm.

Cards are on sale for $2.00 or 5 for $9, and because it’s my last sale of the year (plus I’m cleaning out my studio), many paintings and prints will be at extreme sale prices too!!