Wildlife Wordless Wednesday



(To read the description of this image of one of my favorite trees

Happy trails!
~D. Renée

Summer reading suggestions?



 What's on your summer reading list?
 Let me know your suggestions in the comments.

I'm about to embark on a studio prep session and then a long run of commission & personal work, which means I need some new audio book suggestions!
I read everything from non-fiction and bios to fantasy and sci-fi. I have an e-reader subscription service that provides audiobooks so I can still get "reading" done while I work. Although I must admit, when I'm really in the painting zone I need to re-listen to a chapter or three.


 Here are my top three that I've recently finished:
It's not surprising at all that it won the Bellwether prize for fiction.
  • This I Believe; The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women edited by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman, an incredible compilation of frank and candid essays from Americans of "all walks of life". This is one instance where I soundly recommend listening to the audio version, as you will hear clips of the original recordings from the interviewees and editors. It gave me chills, and was utterly inspiring and completely heartbreaking at points. The entire program is only 53 minutes, and is worth a listen. 
The book is based on the NPR series, and you can visit thisibelieve.org to hear many, many more essays. 


  • The Universe Versus Alex Woods, Gavin Extence
I really can't write anything deserving enough of this book. It's one of my favorites, by far.
The inclusion of astrophysics, neurology, spiritualism, pacifism, and the ethics of one's right to a dignified death all in one?
A hundred times, yes. 

I'll let you read this review by Susanna Rustin, if you like, but this quote sums it up nicely.

"Extence's hugely likable first novel is a fairytale for rationalists."




Okay, your turn!
What lit is inspiring you this summer?

Let me know. :)
May the muse be with you!

~D. Renée



The Universe Supports You; Wordless Wednesday

This summer's got me like...

Take it off to put it on.


To add the original ink & watercolor sketch to your collection,

visit my Daily Paintworks or click the Bid button below.

Flamingo Friday




I've obviously been on a flamingo roll lately.
I'm a bird lover, but these tropical beauties are unique, and I really like unique.
They stand out. They are elegant and really specialized for their environment.


The printable July rewards for my Patreon Patrons followed suit.

You can get them by pledging support on my Patreon page, or swing by my Etsy shop and get an instant  download, easy peasy.

Speaking of Etsy, 
I put together a lil' flock of fabulous pink things for Flamingo Friday. 





I've also listed another of the small watercolor flamingo studies on Daily Paintworks.
These auctions give collectors and artists a chance to add a small originals to their collections at an affordable price. :)
Click to see more or Bid

Thanks for stopping by the blog.




Don't be afraid to stand out.
Stay flamboyant,
stay weird,




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. :)


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.)



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


















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