The Yearling; Fawn Rising

If you follow my work at all, you know the ‘trail’ is a very important part of my artwork and play. I take to it almost daily to get exercise, find inspiration, recharge, and just occasionally zone out. It was during one of these zone out moments that the fawn found me.

I have come across many deer in this particular area of the trail. They usually bound in front of me when I’m racing home against an oncoming storm (leaving me standing in awe for several minutes and giggling with delight only to get soaked in the rain).

This deer crossed the trail and then came back out onto the path to watch me. It was small, and therefore was hard to tell if it was a large yearling or a small doe. However, it’s usually a buck yearling that enters a clearing alone first, and antler sheds would have just been starting to occur in the last two months as daylight hours grow. At a few points, he/ she was close, but not close enough for me to see an exact gender. 

I was soon fairly convinced that this was a fawn rather than a doe, due to its curiosity and lack of wariness an older doe would have had. I adjusted my pace accordingly, letting the fawn stay a comfortable distance while he examined me. This lasted for several minutes before I decided it had to be documented. Try as I might, the velcro sound from my armband may as well have been firecrackers. The fawn ran down the trail and into the trees as I took my cell phone out to get a photo. I made my way down the trail, trying to focus the iPhone camera, and the fawn popped back into view.  I also got a video after this shot, but somehow managed to delete it. (I’m ultra tech clumsy like that.)

All in all, these moments left me with a great sense of peace and wonder. The innocent curiosity of the fawn was energizing and brought me such joy, yet a slight sense of sadness. I knew the other deer had always been around before. I hoped they were just too wary to step onto the trail while a human was near. This encounter was very meaningful to me. I had to paint it.

 I thought I would work on Yupo paper to continue the look of my latest pieces like True Blue Jay andCardinal Direction, but keep it small.

Boy, was I in for a lesson. It was actually really quite appropriate.

If you’ve ever painted on yupo paper, you’ll know what I mean. It’s a non-porous surface, meaning the paint isn’t just absorbed into the paper if applied in a fluid manner. It pools and flows, makingreally cool and visually interesting marks. The paint doesn’t just sit on top and dry as such. It has a mind of its own. If you are wanting your subject to be representational, or recognizable to the viewer, this requires much patience and vigilance. However, I really like the look of this medium, and it’s worth the sometimes arduous adventure that comes with the territory.

Fawn Rising

 When the drips ran down from the legs, I grabbed my paper towel to dab it up, but stopped myself.

Not only did the watercolor runs resemble a reflection in water, but they symbolized growth.

What is this pool of paint doing? How is this pigment interacting with that one?

The fawn would grow into a deer that knew when to be curious and trust and when to dart away from predators before they could even be heard. 

 The deer teaches us to be keenly aware at all times.

What’s going on around us? How can we be gentle and graceful while protecting ourselves?

The slightest breeze or movement could signify a change.

The fawn is curious and playful, exploring and trusting;

and the deer is ready to change course at a footfall.

The fawn is rising.

Bid on the original Fawn Rising and add it to your collection, click here.

Click here to customize your own print.

Thanks for joining me in my artwork & play!

Happy trails,

From Gray to Scarlet; Some science and spirit behind the red legend.

Last week I kept seeing Cardinals everywhere. He was on the trail everyday when I ran. 

He showed up in my yard. It was one of those things where I knew it wasn’t going to stop until I painted him.

I’m really glad I did. I needed him to remind me.


 There is so much I could write on the cardinal, but I'll save a few tidbits for the next painting he graces. ( I know he's not done with me.) Cardinals hold significance on many levels for me. I was born a Buckeye, so these fierce little songbirds will always hold a place in my “heart of it all”. (Along with Ohio, the cardinal was also named state bird of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.)
They are gorgeous birds with a song that truly does sound like “cheer”. Seriously, youtube it. 
It’s even more special to me that the reddish brown and gray females of this species, while not as bright and bold in color, actually do sing. This puts a damper on the former theories that birdsong was only a male trait for sexual selection. For me, it’s a great metaphor for women everywhere. We have a voice, and it’s not all about mating. Sing on, sister!
Although cardinals do mate for life, which leads to this next interesting fact-
Male cardinals actually lose some of their brilliant crimson color while helping to rear nestlings. 
They are great parents that fiercely protect the nest. Dad birds. What?! I know, right?

 Artwork & Play in-progress

But when they aren’t being awesome bird fathers, they are territorial and aggressive. They are known for fighting with other crimson cards, including those they see reflected in glass.
Warriors, indeed. Cardinals can also be a warning symbol of aggressive vanity that might be holding us back.

It’s easy to see why the male cardinal’s fiery crimson plumage always captures our attention, especially on those bleak winter days. But there really is so much about these birds that brings me awe and peace, it’s no wonder that the final and most important symbol of a cardinal is that of an esoteric nature.
Many say that seeing a cardinal is representative of a visit from a loved one that has passed.

All of us live our daily lives with a certain amount of heartache for those we have lost.
Some days can be a proverbial blizzard. The forest is whipped with icy winds, the snow is blinding, our feet and hands are numb, and the tears freeze on our eyelashes. It makes it hard to see the path let alone keep on walking.
Then a brilliant flash of red reminds us it won’t be winter forever. The sun will shine. The snow will melt. The wind will subside. A song of Cheer.

I titled this painting Cardinal Direction with that in mind.
When we are mindful, seeing these birds can influence how we direct our steps and our thoughts afterward, even through the bitter cold winds. Thank you, Cardinal. 

Do you have a cardinal story?

                                    I'd love to hear it. Please, leave a comment or Contact me.  :) 

Click HERE for details on the original or to order a hand signed print of "Cardinal Direction".