JOURNAL — Creativity

'Choosing a word of the year, my own my word + a brief intro to the Rare Bird Co. Journal' Hello and happy new year! As we start a new year, I like the popular practice that’s gained momentum in recent years of choosing a ‘word of the year’. Your word of the year is a word you choose as a guide and reminder for what you’d like to focus on in the new year. Picking a word of the year is about taking stock of where you are now, reflecting back on how you felt last year, and then feeling out...

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I thought this candy hearts painting would be a fun design to paint to get in the mood. I don’t know about you, but I also happen to love Valentine’s conversation hearts candies, they are so cute and nostalgic and the sayings are just fun. I was planning to paint this project in only gouache, but then went ahead and painted them in gouache, watercolor and acryla gouache. Let’s take a moment to explore these different mediums. ​​Looking for a video lesson of our process? A video class lesson with painting demo, commentary...

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I thought this candy hearts painting would be a fun design to paint to get in the mood. I don’t know about you, but I also happen to love Valentine’s conversation hearts candies. They are so cute and nostalgic and the sayings are just fun. Hope you enjoy this project! Looking for a video lesson of our process? A video class lesson with painting demo, commentary + sketch template are available to our members, become a member to access. Tools/Materials: Canson watercolor paper, cold press, 140lbRound paint brush, size 6Holbein Gouache 18-color setPalette STEP 1: Sketch...

I love the look of an animal illustration with floral motifs. I recently illustrated a rabbit with floral details for the Lunar New Year in red and gold. I thought it would be a fun painting project with masking fluid and watercolor or gouache paint. The floral details would lend itself well to the masking fluid resist and I couldn’t stop picturing the rabbit background in a rich, bold blue. I love the finished painting and would like to continue this theme in the future with more floral animals! Hope you enjoy this project!  Looking for a video lesson of...

First things first! There’s a new sale section on the web shop for overstock and secondsinventory. See below for details. A great chance to scoop something up for a steal!   Overstock Sale: Item has no flaws - 20% off sale, applied at checkout Seconds Sale: Print has a small bend in 1 or more corners,  would be totally unseen in a frame - 30% off sale, applied at checkout CURRENT HAPPENINGS + INSPIRATION Autumn itself is always an inspiration! I love a warm and muted color palette, so just stepping outside each day is total eye candy for me....