Thursday in the Studio

"Beach Walkers" and "Beach Walkers 2" - watercolor on 140lb cold pressed paper, each 12" x 16" SOLD

This week I went back to my watercolors and those goofy flocks of ibis which I find so entertaining.  They are such beautiful birds...until they speak.  Which sounds like an out of tune honk.  And always makes me laugh.

My dad has a few thoughts on these birds.  He calls them the "cattle of Florida".  They are always in a herd, take their time when crossing the roads, and graze wherever they go.  And, true enough, when I am driving the car or riding my bike and an ibis decides to cross the road, all I can do is stop and wait  Eventually it will get to the other side and I can continue on my merry way.

There is a bachelor ibis who frequents our backyard.  When he sees one of us out with the corn bucket feeding the ducks and turtles, he comes running.  He will dart in and out of ducklings, big muscovy males, turtle hoards and little green herons, grab a bit of food and run off with it.  He is too shy to wait at the back door in the morning with the army of ducklings and their mothers. and hovers at the edges of the yard instead.

So what message does the ibis have for us?  The ibis spirit animal tells you it is time to expand and explore.  Connect with others and seek out opportunities they may bring. Communication and socialization. It is said if the ibis appears and has a red beak and legs, something rich and fertile is coming your way in the next 3-6 weeks. Trust your intuition and watch for new ideas and lessons on the horizon.  Wisdom and enlightenment will be yours!  And, if you're in our backyard, perhaps a morsel of bread.