February was quite cold and icy, with a fair amount of snow, so it was really wonderful today to see that the Long Point Inner Bay at Port Rowan was open again. The water was crowded with hundreds of Tundra Swans and a beautiful assortment of ducks. Migration is underway! I'm looking forward to sketching outside this coming week, with the warmer forecast.
I’ve been working in my loft studio, with occasional time downstairs at the dining room window to sketch live birds at our backyard bird feeders. Winter usually means I need to do most of my art indoors, but the snow also brings a beautiful light that keeps things cheerful. A little Dark-eyed Junco came to my studio balcony to visit this morning. I’ve decided on three themes for the artwork series I will be working on this year during the residency.
Now when I see live birds, I try to quickly name all their feather groups before they fly away. I’m beginning to see birds differently, as I try to visualize their skeleton and muscles (especially the long neck and hidden legs!) underneath all the fluffy feathers. I can already draw birds realistically, but I’m gaining a clearer understanding of their underlying structure, and feather groupings. and that will improve my ability to see and interpret form. I’m studying birds feet now. It’s more interesting than you might expect!
Cindy Presant, Long Point Art Studio, March, 2025