Artist Residency at Birds Canada

This is the most exciting winter, art-wise, that I have had for some time.  In mid-January, I signed an agreement with Birds Canada to be their first Artist in Residence. This will be my first residency, too. 

My residency has three main components:  

1. Creating drawings, paintings, and stone carvings that related to the work of Birds Canada and the birds I have seen in this area,
2. Learning as much as I can about accurately depicting birds in my artwork, using books, online resources, and Birds Canada staff.
3. Expanding and encouraging an arts-based nature and bird-centric community of people who support conservation.

1. Artwork

The first component, the actual artwork, is both easiest and hardest – I am considering what themes I want to focus on, and what series of artworks will best describe my experiences of the residency. I have some ideas, but these may evolve as I learn more and see more.

I have begun by sketching at the Birds Canada Headquarters, but I am really looking forward to sketching bird banding in the spring at the Long Point Bird Observatory.  Winter can be a challenging time to work “en plein air”, or outside, which is my favourite working method for drawing and painting – fingers can get cold, extra layers are needed.   Paintings will develop from some of these field or preliminary sketches.  This area in the winter is actually excellent for seeing large flocks of Sandhill Cranes, Tundra Swans, and many Bald Eagles and Hawks.   

I am also planning carvings and relief work, using stones I can carve with traditional hand tools: soapstone, alabaster, limestone, or slate.  A solo exhibition of this artwork will be held at Birds Canada in January, 2026.

2. Professional Development

I have been drawing and carving birds for years (see my bio here), but have never systematically studied their anatomy, markings, feather groups, or wings, or feet.  I have many bird reference books, but decided to buy the John Muir Laws Guide To Drawing Birds, specifically to learn more.  I am just beginning to realize  how much I didn’t know.  This book is an amazing resource, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is serious about wanting to understand and draw birds effectively.  John Muir Laws’ website is equally wonderful.

3. Art Community Building

I decided to work on expanding our local arts group, Artists By The Bay, which I joined shortly after moving to the Port Rowan/Long Point area 9 years ago.  Birds Canada Headquarters had a beautiful events room that they made available for six sessions of a gathering I called the Nature Puzzles and Art Cafe, or NatPac. These sessions are a combination of informal, volunteer-led art instruction, bird jigsaw puzzling, tea and (bird friendly) coffee.  I’ve recently added some new components: Featured Artist (short presentation from a local artist), the Sounds of Nature (learning bird and mammal calls), and a Mary Oliver Moment (poetry readings about nature). NatPac is an intentionally supportive and positive social event, with a focus on nature and conservation. Support from t

he local community has been enthusiastic. Participants pay $5 per person for the afternoon, and we are close to capacity after two sessions.

I hope you enjoy following along with me during this interesting year!