Ruby Throated Hummingbird Visits A Morning Glory Garden

Welcome to Hummingbird’s Paradise, my latest artistic endeavor! Picture this: a kaleidoscope of colors where nature's tiny acrobat, the hummingbird, flits and dances amidst a riotous assembly of morning glory blooms. This vibrant artwork is an invitation to pause, breathe, and revel in the wonder of the natural world.

Now, let's talk about the dazzling diva of this piece—the hummingbird. With its iridescent feathers flashing shades of green and blue, and a splash of red trimming its head and throat, this critter isn’t just any bird; it’s nature’s very own flying gem! The flashy feathers almost sparkle, promising to catch your eye wherever you display this slice of paradise.

And those flowers? They're not just mere blooms; they are the essence of joy personified in petals. With shades ranging from blushing pinks to regal purples, each flower boasts an intricate design topped with sunburst yellow centers. The lifelike, textured green leaves weave a tapestry of verdant serenity around the blossoms, grounding the scene with just the right amount of earthy calm.

The inspiration for this lively tableau comes from the seemingly magical moments when nature and art collide. There’s something uniquely fulfilling in capturing a fleeting moment—like the split-second twinkle of a hummingbird’s iridescent coat shining in the sunlight. By bottling up that magic on canvas, I hope to offer a bit of paradise that viewers can experience and revisit anytime.

Creating Hummingbird’s Paradise wasn't just an exercise in painting; it was an adventure in exploration. Embarking on this creative journey meant paying meticulous attention to each flicker of the bird's wings and the delicate curl of every petal. As I worked, the piece demanded a playful balance between the wild spontaneity of nature and the disciplined structure of detailed artwork. It was art meeting nature, and, dare I say, they shook hands with a wink and a promise.

So, take a moment to get lost in Hummingbird’s Paradise. Let your imagination wander through the vibrant hues and intricate details—and who knows? Maybe you'll catch a tiny glimpse of paradise, too! To purchase “Hummingbird’s Paradise, head over to my Shop for all the details.

Ruby the Hummer

About two years ago we decided to hang up a hummingbird feeder in our back yard. I was so surprised how quickly a little hummingbird discovered the feeder hanging on the black metal hook on our deck. It was literally only about fifteen minutes.

I was also very surprised that the hummingbird was not at all afraid to come to the feeder when we were sitting on the deck, only a few feet away from it. I was startled the very first time the little hummingbird flew right passed me to zoom in on getting some food from the bird feeder. It made a very loud humming noise as it zipped passed my left shoulder and I knew immediately why they are called hummingbirds. I just couldn’t believe that this tiny bird wasn’t more shy about coming to the feeder for its supper when there were people sitting nearby. After the hummingbird feeder was out for a few days, there were soon three hummingbirds coming to the feeder regularly.

A friend even told me she had a feeder that she can hold in her hand and the hummingbirds will come right to her hand to feed. I don’t think I am ready for that. The thought of a bunch of little birds flying around me at close proximity, well, lets just say, just the thought of that, makes me feel very uncomfortable. But, after watching a YouTube video of someone else doing that, it does show you how amazing and outgoing these little feathery birds really are.

I would love to see one of their little nests. I tried to watch where our little hummingbirds were flying back and forth from, following them with my eyes, tracing their flight, but they would quickly get lost in the leaves of the trees. Then, just as quick as they would fly into the foliage, it seemed as though they would fly back out into the open space and back to the feeder, barely stopping to rest in between their flights.

I was thinking it would be nice to plant flowers that would help attract hummingbirds to my garden. After doing some research to discover what type of flowers hummingbirds enjoy, I learned one of their favorite flowers are morning glories. They grow on a vine and are bright and colorful, which helps to attract hummingbirds to the flowers. I have since relocated to Pennsylvania, so next spring, I plan on planting flowers that hummingbirds, butterflies and bees are attracted.  

In the meantime, I decided to paper sculpted a hummingbird out of tiny, little, individually hand cut feathers and then paint the bird in watercolor and gouache. The paper sculpted hummingbird, Ruby, is very small, measuring in at only 1.25” from head-to-tail! Morning glories sounded like a perfect match for my little hummingbird picture. The custom, wood frame measures 4.5” high x 5” wide x 2” deep.