Single & Ready to Flamingle

Are you a pinky fan?

Then you probably already know

June 23rd was National Flamingo Day.

I've been painting flamingos for several years, but I'm pretty thrilled that they have the spotlight right now. 

I don't know how anyone couldn't love them. 

The long lines, gorgeous and unique color, completely breathtaking flight, and truly fascinating social rituals and interactions are  just a few of the things that make these birds an absolute must 

for my wild Florida series.

While there were relatively very few wild flamingos in Florida the past century (since more and more people settled in Florida and their numbers dwindled due to feather and egg harvesting) the greater American beauties are making a comeback in certain spots of sofl.

                                                         Full flamingo watercolor study I

As I make small watercolor studies for larger pieces in the Wild FL series, I will place the small postcard sized paintings on DPW for auction.

Stay tuned for more birds as I list them online this summer!

What's your favorite thing about flamingos?

Let me know in the comments. :)

Full flamingo watercolor study II

Agggghhhh- Oh, um, I mean almost Wordless Wednesday

Have you taken the new Ilvermorney sorting quiz?

I was placed in Horned Serpent. 

What Hogwarts house are you?

(I'm a Ravenclaw.)

The Ilvermorney backstory is pretty awesome, too.

Do you even Pottermore?

;)

Diving Deep with Pelican; Animal Guides Woo Woo or True?

This summer has been a lot busier than I was planning it to be.
There hasn't been time to do many of the summer things that I was so looking forward to enjoying.
I was able to carve some space out last week to capture reference photos at a gorgeous aviary.
 (checkout my Instagram to see a very cool video)

I'm hoping to continue my flamingo paintings very soon.
(Stayed tuned for my small studies from the Brevard Zoo.)

But that really hasn't seemed like enough...
Do you know what I mean?
When pushing through makes things bubble up.
Hmmmmmmmm.

Today I want to post these guys because they have a special meaning I'm not sure many people know about.
Pelicans are amazing birds, and they are all over the shore no matter where you are.
They live on every continent except Antartica!
The brown pelican, like the ones pictured here at Cape Canaveral, are the smallest of the pelicans.
They might be the slightest, but their wingspan can still reach up to 8 feet.
Pretty impressive, if you ask me.
They are also protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.
I won't go on and on with bird facts (I'll save it for another post) but I will tell you what their behaviors have come to mean in lore and symbology.


As I've written before, the root of "animal guide" or animal totem is all based on the animals' natural behaviors and physical traits. It's pretty much all projection on man's part.
I think modern people aren't as close to nature and animals as they once were and now don't like to hear about their boring scientific behaviors and then process them in a way that requires quiet reflection-
but wrote superstitions and old wives' tales are easier to remember.
However, I'm definitely not one to poo poo signs and belief.
There is even growing evidence that the Universe could be a hologram.
I don't know that I believe in coincidences anymore. What you believe shapes your reality.
What you expect to happen most likely will. We are all self-fulfilling prophets.


And the Pelican...

 A water bird that flies high & dives deep,
this bird has significance on intellectual, spiritual, and emotional levels.


If a pelican flies across your path, it can mean that things are off kilter and you need to take time for yourself to figure some things out.

A pelican quietly swimming or floating means a reminder to find balance.

A pelican sitting with a full bill (gular pouch) is a reminder to pay attention to what abundance you have and use it wisely.
A large group of pelicans beating the water with their wings (hunting & feeding) together is a sign to look toward cooperation and support from those that can help you.

Throughout history, mystics and alchemists have linked the pelican to soul forces, spiritual sacrifice, and inner nourishment.

Source: Marie-Louise von Franz, Alchemy: An Introduction to the Symbolism and the Psychology

There are other reasons mystics project man's psyche onto traits attributed to the pelican, but it ultimately helps that they live at the ocean.
I mean, every time I'm on the edge of the sea, I seem to get a better perspective and the crud is washed away from my spirit.

With that being said-

I think I'm gonna take a little re-route and get some more beach time A.S.A.P.

In the meantime, I painted a pelican study and

made a little beachy treasury.

Click here to open the treasury & see my picks for this week.


You can visit my gallery on DPW to see a larger view
or .

Thanks for stopping by.


What does the pelican say to you?



~D. Renée

Missing the Weekend on Manic Monday

 I rarely have those stereotypical Monday mornings everyone gripes about.

For the most part, Mondays are fun. I get to start work developing ideas I had over the weekend, or just enjoy some quiet time catching up in the studio.

Today wasn't one of them.

I overslept a bit, which means that by the time I had coffee and a couple of hours sucked away at the computer taking care of overnight urgent emails (totally my fault for even opening them before I had worked out)

 my morning run was entirely too hot to handle.

By the time I was on my way back, the Florida sun was on full blast, and I couldn't keep my headphones in my ears because the sweat was just too much for the iPhone earbuds that are too big for my freakishly small ears. Oh, yeah- my favorite earbuds finally died. 

The small ones that actually fit right. 

So, there's that.

I returned to my loving dog. I was panting much more than she ever does.

She greeted me with her usual insanity, and as I struggled to peel off wet work out clothes and start Monday laundry while making to-do lists in my head, I spotted the spots...

Guess I'm not the only one in a weird mood today.

I'm washing the bedroom throw rugs, too.

So, this week is going to be a crazy one.

I won't get to start new ideas, because I have so many errands to run and things to take care of.

I'm just going to share a few pics of my hike at Lyonia Preserve from yesterday.

Well, the ones I have on hand. Somehow most of the files were in RAW format and I can't see them on the computer just now. I have to remind myself to fix that before I take anymore photos.

Anywho-

Lyonia is one of my happy places.

The Florida scrub is so silent mid-morning, except for the birds, especially the federally threatened Florida scrub jays.

Florida scrub is a very unique ecosystem.

The plants that grow there make it through harsh sun, sandy soil conditions, sometimes even fire, and they have to ward off would be predators with pungent and sometimes poisonous oils to preserve themselves.

I'm keeping that place in my mind as I plod through my week-

and extra laundry.

What do you do when your week starts off like this-

but all you really want is this?

Spicebush Swallowtail 

I hope your Monday is mellow,

Scarlet Macaw

It's been a rough week here in Central Florida, and even though my mind and heart is constantly cycling through sadness, rage, hope, depression, repeat; 

LGBTQ rights have been an issue that is near to me for decades now.

The atrocity wasn't just close to home in that sense, it actually happened at home.

I'm not really sure I'll be writing about the Pulse tragedy in detail anytime too soon.

I was horror stricken that Sunday morning, and spent all day giving blood.

After that reality set in and the cycle of emotions was too much unless I was actively doing something.

The entire Orlando area- from politicians to artists- are focusing on Love, and how we can help.

I've shared, cried, and ranted on social media even though it's a weird, nasty place lately.

(I've hit the unfriend button a few times. I have no place in my life for hate & bigots.)

But social media is how the community is staying in touch for vigils and events, fundraisers and counter-protests, so it's an essential technology. Orlando came together in peaceful droves and even staved off the hate of Westboro Baptist Church.

That is effin' amazing.

Blogging hasn't really been a priority.

People are.

Self-care is.

Making art is.

Nature is.

I may post more about at a later time.

Here's one image from my reference photo trip on Monday. 

Nature always heals, and colorful birds are an extra boost. 

The rainbow colors seem extra appropriate.

Stay tuned to social media like facebook & Instagram

for more charity art events & fundraiser info.
There are seriously TONS of amazing artists and galleries that are planning shows to benefit Pulse victims & families.
Earlier this week I spoke to a representative from Bidding for Good, and they even offered to send someone down to one of the events should the curator choose to use their platform.
The first event will be an art auction at Gods & Monsters on July 2.
I will be donating an original painting to that auction, as well.
More benefit shows will be happening this fall with Pride in October.
Like I said, stay tuned...


Lots of love to you,

XOXO

Full Circle of Gratitude

It's so funny how things come full circle... 

Who would get your thank you note?

 On the left is one of my daily gratitude journals, and a super cute teensy cactus planter made by the awesome Julie Harbers, who also happened to be my neighbor at the Orlando visual Fringe Art market. On the right are notecards of my watercolor painting Dragonfly Druzy, which was painted during an extended gratitude in nature exercise. These boxes of cards are being sent out to an awesome lady, who will then send them as thank you cards to Patrons of the Orlando Fringe organization.  

 I feel super honored and thankful to be a part of that. Gratitude is everything. Every breath, every kiss, every tear.✨ It's all effin' magical. ✨

We can't forget that. We have to hold each other up. 💙  

What are you thankful for today?

Who would you get a thank you note from you?

Summer Prep Shopping...

I realized today that I am in dire need of some summer essentials.

A couple more pair of (breathable!) shorts and breezy dresses,

beach towels, headbands, and a sunscreen that won't slide off when I, um, glisten.

I'm also on the hunt for the perfect free standing hammock. 

Society6 is having a promo this week for free worldwide shipping, +5 off beach towels when you click through this link.

https://society6.com/dreneewilson?promo=7WTW79GRPTPW

So, help me pick which towel to order?

There are a few other options that I haven't yet made available as towels in my Society6 shop,

but I just can't make up my mind...

Which would you pick?

What's on your must have summer shopping list?

Know of any great sales?

Let me know in the comments!