 Day 30 #rogertorypetersoninstitute I woke at 2:00 this morning to heavy rain, thunder and lightning. Rain in an RV is like a cross between popcorn and bubble wrap. I love hearing it, so it was a perfect send off for my last day.
I’ve debated what to paint for day 30. There are several scenes that I had in mind, but I kept returning to the welcoming light streaming from the building that I see every morning, just before daybreak. Cutter and I have walked by it in all weather conditions. This morning there was a little reflection on the ground from last nights rain. When I saw it I knew that this would be my last subject. Thank you for following this adventure featuring this beautiful space. I painted today with a touch of sadness that this residency is over. I do hope that these paintings stir you to visit the Roger Tory Peterson Institute and discover what a treasure it is. “Pre-Dawn Glow” Watercolor 8”x10” Unframed $350 Framed $425
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 Day 29: #rogertorypetersoninstitute I sketched out this piece this morning and spent the afternoon sitting in the driveway, painting. The weather was on the edge of rain, you could feel the moisture in the air. The wind tossed leaves in my paint. After a month of painting outdoors, my palette has a collection of leaves, pine needles, golden retriever hair and bugs who are permanently encased in my paint...
Today’s painting is such an every day occurrence on the grounds and trails. Many dogs are regulars just strolling through and some are visitors. I’ve met many of the regulars, Olive, Otis, Sam and Axil, just to name a few. They know the trails like the back of their paw. “Long Way Home” Watercolor 8”x10” Unframed $350 Framed $425  Day 28 #rogertorypetersoninstitute I have a soft spot for sparrows. When I was growing up we always had sparrows that would find their way into the grainery to feast on chicken feed. It was inevitable that I would find baby birds that had fallen out of their nest. Many were so young that their skin was transparent and I could see all of their organs as clearly as the models we had in science class. I became quite skilled as a young bird rehabilitator. When I found a baby bird, I would gladly forfeit a sock to make a nest and then make my special recipe to feed my featherless responsibility. Secretly, I always hoped that I was helping a bird that would be strikingly colorful, like some of the birds in my Peterson"s Field Guide, but once their feathers had grown in, they were always "House Sparrows". I still smile and remember when I see a sparrow at my feeder.
"Breakfast conversation" Watercolor 8"x10" Sold  Day 25 #rogertorypetersoninstitute I didn’t think it would be right to spend 30 days at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute with out painting a bird. Evidently, this little nuthatch felt the same way and wasn’t afraid to tell me so.
There have been 3 times that I set up my easel on or near the courtyard. This has given me time to get to know “the neighborhood”. On the back edge are several bird feeders. One, especially popular feeder has the typical wire cages and squirrel proofing gear attached, apparently it works for the grey squirrels... but not the red squirrels. The birds happily dine on a fine assortment of seeds, until the red squirrel climbs the post and makes one athletic leap on to the feeder. The feeder swings under his weight and seed scatters on the ground. That is when the grey squirrel appears like clockwork, hanging out under the feeder waiting for more seed from above. All this swinging and twirling is quite entertaining, but there is another character in this drama. Enter stage right, the slightly put out nuthatch. I don’t speak fluent nuthatch, but from what I gather he isn’t amused. He sits on the wooden post, and tells the squirrels his thoughts in verbiage that would (as my mother always said) make a sailor blush. “The Nuthatch” 10”x8”, Watercolor SOLD  Day 27 #rogertorypetersoninstitute I teach 2 classes at RTPI on Saturday’s and with the days getting shorter, my painting time is at a premium. The solution that I’ve come up with is to work on a “Saturday”painting for an hour each evening during the week. The reference photo for today’s painting was taken during one of the rainy days that we had last week. I love how rain beads up on different leaves and their wonderful magnifying quality’s. I found this series of leaves in the courtyard while waiting for my sassy nuthatch to give me his appearance.
“Rainy Trio” watercolor, 8”x10” Available Unframed $350 Framed $425  Day 26 #rogertorypetersoninsitute I don’t walk by the main sign often, usually Cutter and I are on the back trails. For a change, I decided to hike one of the trails that lead out to the road. While walking into the driveway I passed the Institute’s sign. There, stuck behind one of the raised letters was a small leaf. I loved the shadow that the letters cast, but that small leaf... really reminded me of how nature and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute intertwine. It was a temptation to free that little leaf from the sign, but I left it. It seemed to make that sign complete.
“Cradled” Watercolor 8”x10” Available Unframed $350 Framed $425  Day 25 #rogertorypetersoninstitute I didn’t think it would be right to spend 30 days at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute with out painting a bird. Evidently, this little nuthatch felt the same way and wasn’t afraid to tell me so.
There have been 3 times that I set up my easel on or near the courtyard. This has given me time to get to know “the neighborhood”. On the back edge are several bird feeders. One, especially popular feeder has the typical wire cages and squirrel proofing gear attached, apparently it works for the grey squirrels... but not the red squirrels. The birds happily dine on a fine assortment of seeds, until the red squirrel climbs the post and makes one athletic leap on to the feeder. The feeder swings under his weight and seed scatters on the ground. That is when the grey squirrel appears like clockwork, hanging out under the feeder waiting for more seed from above. All this swinging and twirling is quite entertaining, but there is another character in this drama. Enter stage right, the slightly put out nuthatch. I don’t speak fluent nuthatch, but from what I gather he isn’t amused. He sits on the wooden post, and tells the squirrels his thoughts in verbiage that would (as my mother always said) make a sailor blush. “The Nuthatch” 10”x8”, Watercolor SOLD  Day 24 #rogertorypetersoninstitute It was about 6:45 this morning, when my phone gave a warning of rain in 15 minutes. I had an idea of what I wanted to paint, but rain wasn’t part of the plan.
I have certain trees that are my favorites here at RTPI. I’ve watched those trees go through the entire color change and some have gone beyond. There is one special tree that has the most spectacular leaves that I’ve ever seen. When you stand at the base and look up, you can see one leaf shine through another, making a multitude of shades. I threw my rain coat on and the first pair of shoes that I could find... and headed out to get reference photos of my tree. When I arrived, the rain was coming down and the sky was angry. I looked up into my beautiful leaves and they were being twisted, turned and flipped by a strong wind. I gave thought to painting what I remembered, but decided to paint the transition as beauty faced the storm... “Facing the Storm” 8”x10” Watercolor Available Unframed $350 Framed $425  Day 23 #rogertorypetersoninstitute As usual, I spent my morning walking the trails. These trails are becoming good friends that have markers that stand out to me, such as the tree with the turkey tail fungus, the brown birch with the curled bark and the hidden deer trail.
Today I took the trail that went out to the main road and followed the driveway into the institute. The entrance to RTPI is flanked by white pine, hemlock and beech. The mix of natural trees create a beautiful tunnel of varying green that acts as a welcoming embrace. Today the sun sparkled and flickered on the carpet of rust and orange pine needles that had fallen last evening. I set up my easel and began painting. It was then that I decided, when I grow up, I want to be an artist... “The Welcoming Embrace” 8”x10” Watercolor Available Unframed $350 Framed $425  Day 22 #rogertorypetersoninstitute Today’s painting is for those of you who like a little looser brushstroke. With all the movement around me my brushes just begged to to join in the fun.
Crisp bright light and a refreshing fall breeze surrounded me as I walked the trails today. With leaves twisting and turning, I stood on the bridge and watched each type of leaf perform its own final dance through the air. As I came into the open meadow, the wind again was rhythmical, as it pushed the flowers and grasses, moving like a conductor of a symphony. The yellow birdhouse stood in place, silently watching the performance. “Symphony of Movement” Watercolor, 8”x10” Available Unframed $350 Framed $425 |
Robin Zefers ClarkPull up a chair, put up your feet and listen to a few stories while the paint dries. Archives
October 2020
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