Summer Tweet~~Birds of Texas

Red-Winged Blackbird

Montezuma Quail

Yellow-headed Blackbird



Summer Tweet
Birds of Texas
by Cindy Morawski

Tweet!  From our moving car, I watched the birds perched on grasses and utility wires along the highway and flying across the big Texas sky.  I was mesmerized.  One of my first stops on my recent road trip--Caprock State Park in the Texas Panhandle--involved a hike and then a plein air painting session.  After a late start, I felt the hot sun beating down on me.  I decided to paint under the protection of a picnic pavilion.  An angry bird made itself known immediately.  Chirp!  Cheep!  I looked up to see tiny, fluffy heads of baby birds in a corner nest under the roof ~~trying to get Mama Bird's attention.  The swallow swooped over me and then out.  Oops!  I didn't want to disturb lunch for these little ones.  I moved on. 

 

 

Driving across the Panhandle, I couldn't help but notice the endless fields of wheat.  Some areas were being harvested by combines the size of a city block.  Nearby, I spotted the blackbirds, seed-eaters who take advantage of the fallen wheat.  After photographing them, I decided to later paint them in my studio on my return.  The red-winged blackbirds reminded me of my childhood.  I grew up on a farm in Western Pennsylvania, and I'd see them every summer near our pasture and wetlands.  I always liked their calls and bright flashes of red when they flew by. 

 

 

The Montezuma Quail is a West Texas bird,  I noticed it on our return from Albuquerque.  We drove through Van Horn, Fort Davis, and Marfa.  Lots of territory for birds of every kind!  These particular quail only weigh about 6 ounces and are the smallest quail in North America.  They really stand out though due to their white-spotted wing feathers.  I thought they were beautiful and aptly named.  Real Royalty!

 

 

My bird paintings will be on sale at an upcoming event.  The Randolph Metrocom Rotary Club Art Auction will take place on Saturday evening, July 20, 2013.  Here's the address: 

Garden Ridge Community Center, 9500 Municipal Parkway, Garden Ridge, TX.  There's more information online through the Rotarty Club's website and through Facebook.  Hope you'll join me!

 

 

www.CindyMorawski.com

 

Mockingbird Studio:  (210)522-0706

 

email:  cski02@sbcglobal.net

 

 



 

Beep! Beep! Spotted by a Roadrunner~~ Art Series of my Journey West



Texas Roadrunner

~~Cindy Morawski

 

 

Sometimes, I can't see the forest for the trees.  When I  recently roadtripped to Caprock Canyon State Park, in the Texas Panhandle,  I kept trying to spot those famous free-roaming buffalo.  There's a Texas herd that resides at Caprock.  I love the idea of the buffalo's triumphant return.  It always seemed like such a tragedy to me that they were practically wiped-out in the past, due to senseless overhunting.  As a kid, I remember reading about guys in the 1800's, sharp-shooting across the plains via a train ride.  Killing the buffalo just for sport.  And, with the Old West's infantry army trying desperately to round up the Plains Indians onto secured forts and reservations, wiping out the buffalo seemed one more guarantee of killing not just the buffalo, but also the spirit of a free people. 

 

So, I was craning my neck with camera in-hand.  I could see half a buffalo hiding behind a cedar tree.  Paul kept saying, "Hey, look through the park telescope.  You can see quite a few."  Gee, that seemed too easy.  Whew!  Meanwhile, getting back to not seeing the forest for the trees, a roadrunner almost ran into me while I was straining my eyes to see the buffalo.  I looked down.  Beep!  Beep!  The roadrunner was furtively speeding by in an attempt to get a desert lizard.  Paul came up behind me.  "Didn't you notice him trying to figure out whether or not to cross your path?" 

 

"No, I was too busy on the hunt for buffalo."  But, I guess, the roadrunner took pity on me.  He circled back so that I could get a photograph of him.  I thought the distant relative of the cuckoo was rather a handsome bird.  He wanted me to notice him.  I couldn't wait to start a painting!   Beep!  Beep! 

 

 

 

www.CindyMorawski.com

 

 

 

*PS:  If you'd like to take a summer art class with me, please give me a call or an email.  It could be for an hour or longer.  I can include a demo at your request.  My art classes will also include your supplies.  Here's my Studio phone number:  210.522.0706.  Email:  cski02@sbcglobal.net. 

 

 

*PSS:  The above painting is a 5x7 pastel portrait painting of a Texas Roadrunner.  It will include a beautiful gallery frame and glass for $75.  



Discoveries on my Journey West

Cotton Candy Sky
by Cindy Morawski

 

 

Looking up.   I did that a lot on my recent road trip to West Texas and New Mexico.  I studied the big open sky through our Honda's windshield and side windows as we whizzed down the highway.  I couldn't get enough of those beautiful cloud formations, bright colors, and moving compositions.  I felt enchanted by the western landscapes and wanted to keep them firmly in my mind and heart. 

 

 

Paul and I made several stops on our journey west.  We headed north and west to the Texas Panhandle.  One of our first stops allowed us to visit the wild and roaming buffalo herd at Caprock Canyons.  We also spotted some prairie dogs along the way.  They reminded me of  jack-in-the-box toys.  Up and down.  Pop!  Goes the prairie dog!   . . . or something like that.  Next, we embraced entertainment with the outdoor musical, TEXAS, a Musical Romance of Panhandle History, at Palo Duro Canyon State Park.  I thought that musical was as big as Texas.  Cowboys and Indians on horseback, pioneers dancing and singing, and spectacular fireworks all helped to dazzle the audience under the star-filled sky in the canyon. 

 

 

Moving along on I-40, we then drove the truck-heavy, super-commerce highway from Amarillo to Albuquerque--my art destination.  I attended the IAPS Convention, International Association of Pastel Societies.  I represented the Texas Pastel Society of San Antonio.  With a juried exhibition, paint-out, banquet, trade show, and lots of stimulating classes, workshops, and demos, I felt like I died and went to a pastel painter's heaven!

 

 

One of my personal highlights was doing some plein air painting at the top of the Sandia Crest.  Paul and I snaked slowly up the Sandia Mountain, outside of Albuquerque, at 15 to 20 mph.  Finally, we looked over the crest.  It was a windy day, but the view seemed spectacular.  We were two miles high.  I could see forever!  I pulled out my pastel box and supplies after finding a good spot to paint and got lost in the mountaintop landscape. 

 

 

After saying good-bye to New Mexico, we checked out some of the sights in West Texas we'd heard about from friends.  The McDonald Observatory allowed us to see UT Austin's big telescopes on Mt. Locke.  I actually was allowed to move the Harlan J. Smith Telescope from north to south with the use of a button on a box.  Members of our tour group also found out about the emergence of the Space Age and NASA's need  for a new telescope to help them with the Apollo Mission. 

 

 

Fort Davis in the Davis Mountains was our final destination.  We journeyed back to the 1800's at the National Historic Site of Fort Davis.  The fort is a modern-day instructional tool to gather insight and admiration for the brave folks who served in the past.  Paul and I toured the enlisted men's barracks, the commissary, officer's homes, and more.  I imagined how encouraging that fort must have been to weary travelers and pioneers on their way west.  It represented protection and a much needed place of rest.

 

 

My road trip vacation served me well.  I felt inspired and renewed when I returned home.  I am currently planning my next series of paintings---  a study of western landscapes and its wildlife. 

 

 

Hope you can join me this Thursday.  I have three paintings in downtown San Antonio's Historic Emily Morgan Hotel's Art Showcase Summer Show.  The TAG art group is hosting a reception on June 20, 2013, in the Library of the Emily Morgan, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.  You are welcome to join us.  The art show will run through August.  All the artwork is currently for sale.  Please support your local artists.  Thanks.

 

 

www.CindyMorawski.com

 

 



Rainy Days Don't Get Me Down, Celebrating with a Rain Painting

The RED Umbrella, 5x7 painting, Cindy Morawski

 

Rainy Days Don't Get Me Down

by Cindy Morawski

After I moved to Texas from the rain capitol of the world--England, I was delighted with all that sunshine.  The umbrella was not a necessary accessory when you left the house.  The Lone Star State's average yearly rainfall compared to England was hardly on the Weather Channel's radar.  I got accustomed to dry, sunny days quickly.  It gave me more outdoor time to hike, bike, and garden.  Driving was no big deal either.  I'd even forget the location of my windshield wipers "on" switch in my car.  Clear, dry streets were the equivalent of hitting the easy button for getting to and fro via my car.  It all seemed good. 

 

 

However, I've lived long enough in Texas now to have survived two big droughts. This past one over the last two years has cost the state big-time in terms of agriculture.  Cattle and crops were part of the collateral damage.  Homeowners everywhere have also turned to xeriscaping their yards.  The cost of water and dealing with water rationing felt severe.  Living in the suburbs with a large corner lot covered with trees and landscaping had been a personal challenge.  I was reminded last year of our shortages every time I turned on the news and weather report.  San Antonio's aquifer levels were dropping rapidly.  The rationing of water required one to hand water those beloved green things or you'd lose them.  Paul and I didn't want our yard to die.  We chose to do our best and try to keep most of our yard alive.  It seemed like a daily conflict.  Man vs. Nature.  Whew!

 

 

When the rain came down this month in May, I had to actually go outside to confirm it.  I woke up to the sound of thunder and the flash of lightning in the middle of the night.  I looked out the window.  Yes, that looked like wet stuff on the deck.  I then headed down the hall and out the front door.  The water was running down our street like a river.  I could hear it rushing through the rain gutters and off our home's rooftop.  I stepped off the front stoop.  I gazed upward and felt that cool rain splash on my face.  This was some serious rain.  We ended up with four inches.  A rain cell stopped right over the Northwest part of San Antonio.  Hurray!  The next morning when I hopped out of bed, I peeked out the bedroom window.  Our backyard trees were smiling in gratitude.  I could hear them slurping up that extra water.  The grass looked a zillion times greener.  Not exactly Ireland, but a vast improvement.  Three days later, it happened again.  More rain.  Not as much as the previous storm.  But, it was a soaker.  I have grown to LOVE rain.  It's on my gratitude list.  I won't ever look at the wet stuff the same again. 

 

 

I created the painting, The RED Umbrella, to help celebrate May's rainfall.  I also LOVE the way light reflects on wet pavement at night.  I took a photo of my local Bandera Road while it was raining and then took some liberties when I took it to my painting studio.  I relived the rainstorm while painting.  RAINY days and Mondays don't get me down.  Rainy days are just another reason to celebrate in San Antonio. 

 

 

Hope you'll CELEBRATE with me this Saturday, May 18th.  I'll be part of a Fine Art Show in the BoerneFest, located in downtown Boerne off the Main Plaza, from 10 to 5.  Look for my white tent and Seasons ArtWork.  Here's the link for more information.  There's a whole weekend of fun activities, starting this Friday night, May 17th.  www.bestofboernefest.com.

 

 

www.CindyMorawski.com

Studio:  210.522.0706



 

 



 

Sweet Dreams~~A Pig Painting and Poem Dedicated to Arnold, my Pet Pig

The Magical Mystery of Last Saturday~~A Blog about an Art Show and my Canadian Connection

 

Magical Mystery Tour

by Cindy Morawski

 

 

 Under the shade of a Texas Live Oak on Alamo Plaza, I placed a simple white tent.   I had painted several landscapes and animal portraits for the Randolph Art League's Fiesta Art Show which kicked off on April 19, 2013.   The tent helped me exhibit 45 paintings, plus, lots of matted prints and art cards.  I was trying to give my customers and viewers a gallery experience. 



 

Colorful banners, piñatas, and flowers waved in the breeze.  Viva Fiesta San Antonio!  It took me about two hours to set up my decorated tent each day.  I also had to take it down at the end of the day and pack up my car.  That took another hour to an hour and a half.  And, that didn't account for the time to set up the tent.  My husband Paul loyally helped me with the tent set up each day.  I took care of setting up my artwork and the decorations.  We both experienced the exercise regiment of setting up and taking down.  Thanks, Paul!  You deserve the behind-the scenes Fiesta medal.  However, I had opportunities to meet lots of wonderful folks from all over the world at my art show.  That made up for the strenuous lifting and toting each and every day. 





 

 

 



 About a week before the art show, I had received a mysterious email to myself ~~from myself.   When I opened the email, I read a  lovely letter from Cynthia Morawski, a teacher from Ottawa, Canada.  She said that she had "googled" her name one day at work in her school office, and she discovered my art website.  She was surprised about her namesake, and exclaimed that she loved my artwork.  She then found out that she was coming to San Antonio for a professional conference the weekend of April 20, 2013.  She inquired if she could meet me and see my art.  I answered the email.  I responded that I would be downtown in an art show and that I would love to meet her.  I gave her my cell phone number. 

 

 When we met, I noticed that she too was blonde and had blue eyes.  We were both teachers and loved art.  We shared the same name, but we shared so much more as well.  It was a full-circle moment.  I still can't believe it.  The stars and planets seemed to align to bring about this amazing day.  Cynthia also brought along her wonderful friend Linda Stein.  She was delightful.  I couldn't wait to get Paul to take a picture of all three of us together.  I couldn't stop smiling.  I felt like I had always known these women.   We exchanged contact information.  They bought some of my artwork too.  I instinctively knew that we would meet again. 

 

On that same day, I noticed the past and future go by me.  A VIA all-electric bus with renewable energy, one of the city's newest in a progressive fleet of San Antonio's public transportation, encountered a horse-drawn carriage on the South Alamo Plaza.  The clip-clop of the horses hooves made more noise on the pavement than that silent electric bus as they passed each other.  Going in opposite directions seemed appropriate.  Slow or fast lane?  Travel choices make life exciting!   

 



 The magic continued on Saturday.  I saw couples of all ages holding hands while strolling by our art tents at the show.  Eating scooped ice cream cones, carrying colorful balloons, pushing babies in strollers, walking their well-mannered dogs on leashes, and nodding hello to me as they walked by or stopped to see my art, folks of all sizes and types visited the plaza.  I met a couple from Israel, a soft-spoken student from Italy, and several friendly people from Canada, as well as visitors from all over the United States.  There were tourists galore!  But, no matter who I met during the show, I kept thinking about the magical mystery of my Canadian Connection.   I could still feel the smile on my face. 

 My next door tent neighbor ~~artist Monique Montney~~looked stunning at the show!  She wore a red beret, pants, and shoes, and a colorful smock that spelled~~CREATIVE.  Her beautiful artwork featured painted gourds and canvases.  You go, girl!

 

RAL Member Earl Rankin displayed his traditional Fiesta medals on a blue sash.  He had been recently photographing everyone.  He also was holding a photo album of last year's participants.  He's keeping track of our lively crew and show.  Thanks for helping us feel like we belong, Earl!

 The magical mystery tour concluded for some as they boarded the red trolley and left the plaza.  Thanks for coming to our art show this year!  It was a show I'll always remember.