Let's Paint Nature!

Coyote Skull Sketch

Posted on February 19, 2012 | 2 Comments

Oh the treasures in nature!
How can I express such joy from my adventures in the woods with simple text? Not possible.

Well, let’s try…

Yesterday I decided to walk the yellow trail from Pioneer Woods. It was a cold but strong sunny day. In the late afternoon light, the bare trees took on a golden glow and at their feet cast long deep shadows.

The sun was warm on my face. I noticed the field along side of the yellow trail had recently had a prescribed burn. It was my opportunity to go off trial and explore.

This particular dead tree caught my interest. Walking closer I noticed bright white on the ground.
A skull!!!!

This coyote skull measured about 5-6 inches long. The one long sagittal crest on the top confirms that this is a coyote and not a fox. The larger the sagittal crest the stronger the bite into prey. The male’s crest is usually higher than the female’s, but without a comparison I do not know if this is from a male or female.

Large clumps of bright green moss was growing from the orbital fossa (eye sockets). In total I found this skull, one rib bone, one vertebrae, and one femur bone. All were left to continue its natural process back into the earth. Not only did this coyote no doubt nourish many other animals, but it did also for the tree as well. The Father’s plan…His work in progress.

I love the warm colors. With each passing hour, more oranges seem to emerge.

In the field I notice a bird house. Naturalists must have put this up years ago, as the paint has weathered off. There was a nest inside but no activity. Too early in the year perhaps…maybe a spring resident will clean the nest and create a new home.

I hope you enjoyed this hike on the yellow trail from Pioneer Woods. It was my pleasure bringing you along! Try to get out and hike for yourself. Bring a piece of paper and pencil with you to record what you hear, smell, and see. A camera helps too, but your words will really bring you back in memory.

If you can’t get out because of health reasons, that’s OK you can always come back to this site and take a virtual hike with me and explore in the woods. It’s soooooooo much fun!

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

Tagged animal bone, art, Artwork, bones in the woods, Christine Kane Art, ckane, coyote, coyote skull, forest preserve district of cook county, hiking, hiking and sketching, hiking in the woods, IL, nature, pioneer woods, prescribed burn, sagittal crest, sketch, sketchbook, sketching nature, skull, watercolor, willow springs, woods, yellow trail

St. Francis Woods Sketch

Posted on February 13, 2012 | 12 Comments

Being a hectic weekend, I couldn’t get out, so these sketches are from photos of last weekend at St. Francis Woods.

St. Francis Woods is a peaceful place which holds a retirement building for nuns. A highlight of the grounds is a wooded lot which runs along Hickory Creek. This is where I found a tiny plot of pines and the owl pellets.

They have many programs and even cottages for a secluded retreat (must check into that!). They also have an 1876 chapel, stations of the cross, and a labyrinth to visit.

Yes, I spelled labyrinth wrong on my sketch! Isn’t the first, wont be the last…hahahaha!

Despite my spelling this structure is very intriguing. There is only one path to the center. Walking this path with no short-cuts reminded me of life. Sometimes you don’t get very far, but are repeatedly turned around very quickly. Other times you gain great distances and time. This is how life is. Sometimes life throws you around and you do not see the end path or the purpose. And then other times you seem to accomplish a lot and feel good. Neither are bad, neither are good, they are all on purpose from the Creator of your path and you must just go through it, trusting that the Creator has a purpose and a lesson for us to learn.

Here are some photos from my visit:

The Labyrinth took about 15 minutes to complete…no cheating! In the center you are suppose to say 6 prayers, then exit on the same path.

Here is Hickory Creek. It was flowing pretty fast and had a lovely trickle sound.

Here is one pine of a group which the owl pellets were found. This picture will be a painting one day.

I love dilapidated statues. The ones which are weathered and worn have such character.

This is tiny and cute Heritage Chapel, which was dedicated in 1876. It’s charming and is in working order.

A view from inside.

A view out the window.

And finally, one of the stations of the cross which you can visit along a paved path and revisit Jesus’ death and resurrection.

St. Francis Woods is a very neat nature and spiritual place to visit. Highly recommended!

I hope you enjoyed this hike at St. Francis Woods and I would like to thank my friend, Alanna, who introduced me to this neck of the woods!

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Posted in art, Artwork, Chicago, God, hiking, nature, Nature Sketching, sketchbook, watercolor sketching

Tagged art, chapel, Christine Kane Art, ckane, franciscan sisters, God, heritage chapel, hickory creek, hiking, IL, Jesus, journal, labyrinth, mokena, nature, sketchbook, st francis woods, watercolor sketch

Owl Pellet Sketch

Posted on February 6, 2012 | 12 Comments

Finally!!!!
I FOUND them!!!
Owl pellets.

After years of knowing what to look for and searching diligently, I got them! Whoooo Hoooooo! Yessssssss.

Owl pellets are regurgitated fur and bones. Owls cannot digest them. It’s really not gross at all. If you have a cat, it’s just like a hair ball.

I collected 2.5 pellets. When I started to dissect them with tweezers, there was a definite smell, just like rotting fruit. I don’t know why this is, but it was there. Over the period of 2 hours I carefully separated several bones and was in nature heaven!

How To Look For Owl Pellets:

Owls LOVE pines trees on the edge of a field. When you see this inspect the pines. This picture is white wash not sap. White wash is owl poop. Many people assume this is sap because it is on a pine. When you see this on a tree, inspect the ground around the tree. That is where you will find the pellets.

Here is a pellet. It looks like poop but it is not. Sometimes you can even see the bones sticking out of the pellet. This one was very dark and about 2 inches long. That information is important because it can tell you what type of owl it was. I don’t have that information but in the future I may try to find out.

Here are some of the bones I cleaned off. I did not even save them all. WOW. Let’s just say W O W!
Can you find one single tooth, it has a root on it…how cool. I’ll give you a clue….near the top left corner. I cleaned 6 skulls in 2.5 pellets. I believe I have 2 rat skulls and 4 mice skulls, but not sure.

Now that you know how to find owl pellets, keep your eyes open when hiking. You too can have this much fun in nature!!!

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Posted in art, Artwork, Birds, hiking, nature, Nature Sketching, owl, sketchbook, wildlife

Tagged bone sketch, Christine Kane Art, ckane, dissecting owl pellets, how to find owl pellets, mice bone, owl castings, owl pellet, owl pellet sketch, rat bone, rodent bones, sketchbook, st francis woods, watercolor, watercolor bone sketch

Sketch Class Results Jan 2012

Posted on January 29, 2012 | 4 Comments

The cold realities of winter did not hinder our love for art and nature. All eager participants showed up bright and early on this frosty January morning, ready to get to ~~work~~ play. We did however, agree to sketch from inside the nature center as the wind was fierce and the wind chill was in the teens.

Here is the class studying the frozen Long John Slough. We talked about the different colors you find in the distance and the foreground and the beautiful colors hiding in the shadows on the slough.

The class did a wonderful job of representing the slough and as a result produced a moment in time, freezing it on this frozen day, and took home a lovely piece of artwork. I’m very proud of each one.

Here is a close up of my sketch. I try to enforce the rule of there being no rules. Our artwork may not look exactly like the real thing, but that’s okay. We are capturing a feeling not a photo.

After class a few of us agreed to a winter hike. Here Katie and Michelle are bundled up and ready to go exploring!

How blessed we were to have a fresh inch of snow cover every single limb and tiny branch the night before. I think to myself, it is no magic (although it looks like it), the Father places every snowflake in its ordained position with care. I am truly thankful and in awe.

We stopped on the Black Oak Trail to study the shadows and listen to the tiny trickle whispering from the pond. This very much feeds our soul and renews our spirits…a much needed rest from a hectic work week.

Don’t let the cold stop you. The next class is Saturday, February 25, 2012. If the weather is too cold we will sketch from inside. I am however always willing for a hike afterwards!

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Posted in art, Artwork, Chicago, hiking, nature, Nature Sketching, sketchbook, sketching class, watercolor sketching

Tagged Chicago, Christine Kane Art, ckane, forest preserve district of cook county, free art lesson, hiking, IL, little red schoolhouse, long john slough, nature, sketch class, watercolor, watercolor sketch, willow springs, winter, winter hiking

Kitty Graphite Wash

Posted on January 23, 2012 | 4 Comments

Kitty from Behind - watersoluble graphite pencil

I decided to change up my mediums and practice sketching with something other than watercolors. General’s Sketch & Wash pencil (made in the USA, yeaaaaaah!!!) is a nice change of pace and I highly recommend it as a quick, yet fun sketching tool.

It acts just like a pencil, however it is watersoluble, which means you can take a clean water-filled brush and move the graphite around.