Chickadee

Jenny Moore
Watercolor on 140-lb. cold-pressed paper
8″ x 10″
7/21/2021

“I’ll forever be grateful for how the pandemic caused me to slow down, and for what that brought with it. It led me to daily long walks on a pretty much empty trail in my neighborhood — and eventually to watercolor painting.

“My first paintings were of things I found on my walks: flowers, feathers, sticks, and acorns. I just loved finding beautiful little things and painting them. Then, for a couple of months, I developed an insatiable desire to paint only wildflowers. In the spring of ’21 I bought a tiny journal and decided to paint one flower a day as I saw them bloom on my walks. I thought it would be a good way to help me learn all their names. However, I quickly became overwhelmed and couldn’t keep up as dozens of different kinds of wildflowers came into bloom!

“I’ve slowly come to realize that whatever I choose to paint, I get to know very closely. When you paint something, you must notice all its little details, pay attention to its subtle colors and shadings. Not only are you trying to capture its physical likeness, but you also want to convey its inner spirit and special light the best you can. It takes time and attention, but when you’re done, no matter how good or bad the painting turns out, you have a new relationship with that object. If you ever happen to see that object again, you feel a special bond.

“The day before I painted the chickadee I saw one land at the bird-feeder in our backyard. I stopped what I was doing and watched as it flitted and fussed and then held still. I knew then that I wanted to paint it. Now that I have, I’ll never forget it or its name. Chickadee. We have a special bond.”

—Jenny Moore

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