Painting birds has always brought me joy and cardinals are certainly one of my favorite birds. Adding them to murals has always been fun, especially in Colorado since they don’t live here. I find people from the midwest usually miss seeing them and they have actually asked me to add them to their murals.

Two little things I miss living in Colorado,  besides family and friends, are cardinals and lightning bugs (fireflies). Not having investigated it, I’m wondering if it is the altitude that keeps them away. I must admit creating this painting made me a bit homesick for family – well, it is that time of year.

The cardinal is the state bird of Indiana, where I grew up. It also is the state bird of Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina. Let me know if that’s way more information than you needed.

When deciding on a setting for the cardinals I immediately envisioned snow and then the pine trees to add more color and textual interest. You seldom miss seeing the beautiful red of the male cardinal in the snow covered trees in the midwest during the winter.

This is the original painting which measures 8.5″ x 6.5″.

Snow Covered Cardinals in Watercolor

My new Christmas card for 2009 is from this painting. Some cropping was done so the birds could be as large as possible, hope you enjoy it. The cards come in boxes of ten with a bright red loop around it. The price is $15 for a box of ten cards. Christmas cards are available from my website, the Snow Covered Cardinals should be up soon.

Snow Covered Cardinals, New 2009 Christmas Card

Testimonial:

Hi Mickey,

I’m very pleased with the cards.  The ones for Tanya were for my daughter and I was able to get them to her by her birthday on the 11th .  She loves them.
Thank you and I will definitely keep your information for future orders for myself and gifts.  They make such nice gifts.

Jan H

Inquiries about new Christmas cards have been coming in. The three below are the new ones for 2008. They can be ordered from my website. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed painting them. Happy Holiday!

#0801 Happy Holiday Card, $15 Box of Ten Cards & Eleven Envelopes

#0802 Season's Greeting Cards, $15 Box of Ten Cards & Eleven Enveloopes

#0803, Christmas Joy Greeting Card, $15 Box of Ten & Eleven Envelopes

0801 Inside reads:

May the joys of nature bring a smile to your face this holiday season.

0802 Inside reads:

Wishing you a beautiful holiday season.

0803 Inside reads

May the spirit of the holidays fill your heart with joy.

Ahhhhh, a beautiful sun-filled day in Colorado. As I sit here basking in the sunlight streaming through the windows with Bella lying by my chair. It seems a perfect time to connect with those who read my blog.

Recently a dear friend asked if I would paint a couple of very large pumpkins, two doggy bars and carve a pumpkin with a logo for the “Safe Place” Howl’oween Event. The pumpkins were used as a  background for pet photos during the Howl’oween fund raiser and the doggy bars were a place for animals to get a drink during the festivities.

Safe Place cares for pets when a terminally ill owner no longer can. Incorporated in 1996 as a 501 (c) (3) charity, Safe Place serves people and pets living in El Paso and Teller counties in Colorado. To learn more about Safe Place click here.

Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate but that being said there were still over 90 entries for the pet parade and rumor has it that several talented pets are candidates for the David Letterman Show. Here is Bella in front of the two large pumpkins.

Dear Mickey, 

You are the best. The pumpkin was a total hit, the doggie bars too cute and the carved pumpkin-unbelievable! I can not believe how talented you are in everything you do. I am fortunate to know you!   Joanne

Happy Halloween Everyone!