Meet Midge the Pidge. She’s an independent homing pigeon who gives herself flowers, just because.
She’s fierce, determined, and able to balance on the slippery dome of a glass insulator with no problem. She can fly 600 miles in race competitions as well as raise up to five broods in a single year.
And she always finds her way home.
Day 94/100
Derwent water soluble sketching pencils and Derwent Inktense Poppy Red watercolor pencil.
The purple coneflower, Echinacea purpurea, is one of my favorites. There are the obvious reasons: drought tolerant, deer resistant, attracts goldfinches.
But the thing I love most is how each flower eventually lays its center bare to the sky, throws its petal arms toward the earth, and appears to surrender.
In the worst possible conditions, the blooms thrive. They grow side-by-side and find their strength in numbers. They give back—seeds for birds and nectar for bees. When it’s windy, they support each other. When they’re transplanted they adapt well. They return every year, a reliable companion.
Meet my friends, the coneflowers, in a quick little watercolor sketch.
Day 80/100
Some days a little floral arrangement satisfies the need to do something creative.
As an added bonus, this is in my line of sight from the studio so a spot of color right now brings a bit of joy.