Category Archives: wildlife

Dariana’s Chickadee watercolor

Posted on January 6, 2012 | 3 Comments

I painted this for my friend’s step-daughter. She is visiting from Costa Rica. This is her first time in America.

So what does a girl from Costa Rica need from Chicago?

SNOW!

Unfortunately as it turns out, this is the mildest winter Chicago has had in a very long time. Mild and dry. Right now it is 53°F, downright hot for a January day in Chicago!

Oh well, we will bring the snow to her in the form of a watercolor painting! I hope she likes it! I wrote her a note on the back of the painting:

I do not speak Spanish. I totally cheated and went to Google Translate (hahahaha) and typed in this paragraph:
“Welcome to Chicago in the winter-time. I hope it is not too cold for you. I am happy to meet you! Your new friend, Christine.”

Maybe my Spanish speaking friends out there can tell me if I did okay?

The original painting is a gift, however if you are interested in an archival print or a greeting card with this image, please visit my page on Fine Art America:

Thank you!

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Posted in art, Artwork, Birds, Chicago, chickadee, nature, watercolor painting, weather, wildlife

Tagged art, Artwork, black-capped chickadee, chickadee, chickadee in snow, Christine Kane Art, ckane, fine art, painting, snow, snow watercolor, watercolor, watercolor of chickadee, winter, winter bird, winter chickadee

Upside Down Breakfast Sketch

Posted on December 3, 2011 | 6 Comments

Downy Woodpecker at Suet Feeder watercolor sketch

This is my suet feeder which is right outside my window. It contains a pure white suet cake (tree-rats don’t like it) and is inserted under the roof. A black metal grate holds the cake underneath and allows only the birds that can hang upside down (woodpeckers, chickadees, and nuthatches) to feed on it.

After battling tree rats, starlings, and grackles who ate my cakes in record time, installing this feeder was the perfect solution.

Now I am rewarded with the visit of some special downy woodpeckers everyday. O how blessed I am!

I always get excited when the male comes by because I recognize the red spot on his head. He is very handsome.

I do worry about their safety sometimes. Being upside down can put you in a disadvantaged position, don’t you think? And with many birds in my neighborhood comes many hawks as well. Why does the downy woodpecker constantly make a noise when he eats? “PEEP, PEEP, PEEP….” Over and over they call. Isn’t this giving away your location?!?

Has anyone else found this to be strange?

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Posted in art, Artwork, Birds, downy woodpecker, nature, Nature Sketching, sketchbook, watercolor sketching, wildlife

Tagged art, Artwork, bird art, bird at feeder, Christine Kane Art, ckane, downy woodpecker, male downy woodpecker, sketch of woodpecker, sketch of woodpeckers, sketched of birds, suet, suet feeder, tree rats, upside down feeder, upside down woodpecker, watercolor journal, watercolor sketch, watercolor woodpecker

Help in Troubled Times -Free Download- Cardinal

Posted on November 9, 2011 | 4 Comments

Uncertainty is certain in life.
At some point, no matter how much you have prepared, things happen. Sometimes these things can sweep your off your feet and knock you down. It happens to all of us.

Don’t worry.
The most beautiful words I’ve read are, “My times are in Your hand…”

Our timeline has already been reviewed. When the crazy times arrive at your door, take comfort in knowing that God is in control, even when things seem out of control. Rely on Him.

As a free gift, I offer you this watercolor painting of a female and male cardinal eating seed from the ground.
free_download_cardinal

God cares for even the smallest creatures.

You may download, save it, print it, give it as a gift, or use it for yourself. I hope that it helps you, despite what you may be going through.

Help in Troubled Times Cardinal by Christine Novak Kane is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

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Posted in art, Artwork, Birds, cardinal, Free Download, God, nature, watercolor painting, wildlife

Tagged art, Artwork, bird art, Birds, Christine Kane Art, ckane, female cardinal, free artwork, free download, God, help in trouble, help me, male cardinal, psalm, scripture, scripture painting, trust in God, watercolor birds, watercolor cardinal, wildlife art

Geese in Flight Watercolor Sketch

Posted on November 6, 2011 | 5 Comments

In Flight Geese (watercolor, watercolor pencil, black micron pen)

In flight.
Oh, I wish I had an ounce of their grace.

The best part…the tips of their wings!

Some may consider the Canada Goose a nuisance. As a protected bird, it has over populated my area. If you visit a cemetery, golf course, university grounds, or any large plot of manicured property, you will find the Canada Goose. Not only one, but hundreds of them…along with their many droppings.

Call me one for the underdog, but I have always loved the overlooked, ordinary species. Maybe because I consider myself part of the group.

Canadian Geese in my area do not migrate, but can tough it out all winter long. There is however, a crowded path in the sky overhead at this time of year, with many flying south.

I love that V formation! BTW!

We can learn a lot from teamwork as we study geese in flight. Lift is being provided from the front goose to the goose behind it. The energy saved is ingenious.

Go geese go!

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Posted in art, Artwork, Birds, Chicago, goose, nature, Nature Sketching, sketchbook, watercolor sketching, wildlife

Tagged art, Artwork, canada goose, canadian geese, Christine Kane Art, ckane, geese in flight sketch, goose drawing, sketch of geese, sketchbook, study of geese in flight, v formation, watercolor, watercolor sketch

Chukar Partridge Photos and Sketch

Posted on October 15, 2011 | 2 Comments

This chukar partridge was spotted by my cousin Jackie, who called me and asked, “Do you have your camera?!? GET OUTSIDE!!!”

So I ran.

What are you doing here Mr. Chukar? You live on the western part of the US year round and you do not migrate…this is Chicago!

Hey, anybody from Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Washington? I HAVE YOUR BIRD! hahahaha.

The big monster (me) is noticed by the chukar, so he lies low.

I still see you.

chukar watercolor sketch

Anyway, I sketched this from my photos to document this bird. I do not know why he is in this area. Maybe someone brought him and released. I wish him luck as it will be very cold soon. Maybe he can find his way home.

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Posted in art, Artwork, Birds, Chicago, nature, Nature Sketching, sketchbook, watercolor sketching, wildlife

Tagged alectoris chukar, art, art journal, Artwork, bird, Christine Kane Art, chukar, chukar partridge, ckane, journal, sketchbook, watercolor sketch