My Backyard Bird Battle

I have a situation in my backyard. It has happened before but this time the opponent is being more persistent. We have an awning on the back of our home that can be manually cranked out to extend and cover the back patio. It has been there a few years and we as a family have enjoyed it. Part of the mechanism has a built in cover that acts like a roof to protect it while not in use. When the awning is rolled up and under the cover a cozy little space is made for birds to fly into and start creating nests.

A fist full of finch nest

Number 8 and counting

This Spring I am at odds with Mr. and Mrs. Finch. This feathered couple has been trying to build a home in that cozy area for a few weeks. I have taken down at least 8 nests and as I’m typing I see them through the sliding glass door flying to the awning and continuing the building process.

So it is the Finches vs. Chris Irwin, birds vs. man, finch vs. Goliath, mono a mono. I say this in jest because I do love these birds. Our backyard has bird houses and a feeder and I enjoy watching the different kinds of birds come and go. Especially when they go to my vegetable gardens to get bugs and ‘help’ me raise something good to eat. Nature is a beautiful and inspiring thing to see. There is something to watching life move and grow around you.

My defense against the finches

dangit, they found another way in

(notice the painters tape I used)

So what have I learned? Mr. and Mrs. Finch are persistent, consistent, a team, driven, hard working, and I could come up with a few more if I thought more about it. Many life lessons coming from these feathery foes in my backyard. Who will prevail? I hope it is me because I like using the awning.

In the end may I be persistent, consistent, a team player with my wife, driven, and hard working with my art and the journey it will take me.

How about you?

Blessings to you all.

My attempt to help the Finches

Will they go for It?

New Paint Mosaics For The Year

A Little Paint Mosaic History

Howdy art friends! I hope thing are healthy and well for you. I've been working hard on the next series of paintings using dried up paint pieces.

In the beginning I attempted to reuse these dried paint scraps out of necessity because I was very wasteful in how I used the paint. Now the making, drying, and scraping of the pieces is part of the creative process. Each painting is made up of different color combinations that make it unique to itself.

Below is the 'Shark Eye Shell'. It was inspired by hermit crab shells that I own. The color pallet for the series is mostly whites, blues, and greens of the ocean. The affect is a colorful crusty shell that brings enjoyment to the eye.

One of the things that I have learned about this style of art for me is that it is a bit like how I see life. It can feel dried up and wasted. It takes some extra effort to scrape up what you have left to get going again. Then you find out that what you thought was a waste is actually beautiful in a special way.

Blessings