2017 Calendar - Year of the Birds

Since almost half the year is over I decided to make a calendar for 2017. I love drawing and painting birds so that is the theme I chose. I also liked the idea of a calendar I could have on my art table so my pages are 8" wide by 5" tall.

All of the birds were painted in gouache and embellished with ink. I selected birds I knew either from having seen them in my backyard or from reference photos. The state bird where I live is the black-capped chickadee, which also happens to be a favorite of mine, so he appears twice. 

Below are the months I have done.The others will be completed in between other projects :)

January - Kingfisher

March - Nuthatch with Dogwood Flowers

April - Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Anemone-like flowers

May - American Goldfinch and Pink Hydrangea

June - Indigo Bunting and Orange Poppy

July - Black-capped Chickadee and Purple Coneflower

August - Northern Cardinal and Yellow Wood Poppy

September - Cactus Wren on Flowering Cactus

December - Black-capped Chickadee and Holly

This was a lot of fun to do; thanks for a great class Amarilys!

Cheers!