HomeContact MeSeasonalInspirationGardens

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Painting a Garden Bridhouse

Welcome. I am so glad that you stopped by. My garden gate is always open for you to come in and sit down and relax with a cup of tea while I share with you the inspirations for a birdhouse painting that we can paint together.



Bentley, my helpful Studio Assistant, is already in the garden looking for inspirations.






One of my birdhouses and Welcome signs was shown in this month's Romantic country magazine in a delightful article on "Divine Birdhouses" The photo was taken by Mark Lohman and styled by the Divine Sunday Hendrickson. The article states "The notion of a cozy house is as appealing to finches, robins and wrens as it is to you and your family. And birdhouses, whether designed to blend into their natural surroundings or provide a lively spot of color, double as decorative accents even indoors- with faux birds." The article rang so true with me as you can see from the photo above that I incorporated birdhouses and a faux bird as part of my potting bench.




Earler this year I painted my blue church birdhouse, shown in the article, red and have now decided to repaint it back blue.






I did not realize how many birdhouses I have in my garden until I read the article and realized that I use them to add spots of interest and color.


This is actually a bird feeder that I added two little faux birds for a touch of whimsy.

Let's take a look around my garden and look for a birdhouse to paint together.




I bought this flower shaped birdhouse at Joanne's at the end of the season clearance for $7.95 and love it.

Finding inspiration . . . . . .







This birdhouse is in my Art Studio and would be a fun one to paint.







Here . . . . .





There . . . . .



This was another find at Joanne's clearance for $7.95.

There . . . .



Everywhere . . . .


This is one of my favorite birdhouses as I like the different levels. I painted the roof red for more interest, and of course, you can paint your roof any color you like.
Here is a rough sketch of the birdhouse I painted. You are welcome to use it to paint.





I am painting my birdhouse beside and Adirondack chair. The chair may be a little hard for beginners so I will not show it and will focus on the birdhouse. Note I am painting a vine around the birdhouse to add interest.

After you pant the vine - add some darks first and then add some greens as leaves.





When you finish the leaves, add some color for flowers on the vine. I used white for my flowers. Add some shadows under the roof and along the sides of the birdhouse.


After you paint the vine, add some flowers around the base and a little garden path. I added a little chimney to give more interest.



Recently someone asked me for some of my favorite garden quotes about birds and flowers and it brought to mind:
"The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches" Psalm 104:12

"God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and when the voice of God is heard it is in the twittering of the birds."


"Where flowers bloom - so does hope." Lady Bird Johnson


Thank you for stopping by. I love hearing from you and sincerely appreciate your visits, comments and those who are following my blog. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to see me paint something special. With fall just around the corner I thought it would be fun for us to paint a Fall Welcome sign together as well as a Rooster in future posts.


Even though we are not having fall weather yet in Southern California, I will be taking a little blog break to do some fall decorating and looking for Fall inspirations for us to paint together.


Have a lovely week. Blessings, Erin

18 comments:

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

Your garden pictures are lovely! And I love all your birdhouses. Enjoy your fall break and we will look forward to seeing you when you return. I especially love birds. I have a pet canary named Sunny! Love & blessings from NC!

Stacey said...

Hi Miss Erin. Your birdhouses are lovely. I've thought of collecting them around my pond, I think you've convinced me. The icing on the cake for this post is the quotes and the scripture. Love it!

Createology said...

As always I have enjoyed my garden and birdhouse tour with Bentley. He is such a caring and attentive studio assistant. Your garden is lovely and such an inspiration for your lovely paintings. Happy Fall...

Anonymous said...

Enjoy your break! When you get a chance, please share the complete painting with us!
Maria ♥
Torrance, Calif

ShirleyC said...

I loved looking at your pics. My DH and I just love all kinds of yard art, but we also have a few decorative birdhouses.
The painting is so serene. Anything in nature is serene to me. I love welcome signs. I want all of my visitors to feel welcome, and what better way than with a cute sign.

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

Your blog always puts a smile on my face.I'm so glad your garden gate is always open:)I Love walking around in your beautiful garden.We live so close I hope that the day will can come that we meet. It's hard in this busy~~busy world we live in. Enjoy your blog break.
Blessings,
Ginger

Terra said...

You are right, you have a fabulous collection of bird houses in your garden. Now I want to add more to mine.

natalia Carlota vallejos said...

I love know your garden (my english not good)and your painting...and your birdhouse !!!!
thank God for your lovely work !!!
blessings from Argentina !!!

Anonymous said...

Wow, Erin, you DO have a LOT of birdhouses!! Can't have too many. Kinda like shoes.... ;-)
Love the strawberry patterned teacup too.
Hugs, Diane

Phyllis said...

Hi Erin,

I love birdhouses too! Your garden is always so pretty.

Susan Freeman said...

I just adore all of your charming birdhouses. Love your painting too!!

Lots of love,
Susan and Bentley
xx00

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I have always loved wooden bird houses! You are so sweet to share your art...and your techniques with us! Enjoy your week, sweet friend! ♥

Anonymous said...

Hello, Erin!

I love your birdhouses. I hope to paint some this winter to line my fence in the backyard. Artistic minds think alike.

Love your work.
Colette
XXX

Ruth Welter said...

Congratulations Erin on having your birdhouses in the magazine...so pretty.

Ruth

Anonymous said...

Oh, I love all the birdhouses - I'm not sure which one to paint first. I think I'll try the one with instructions and then maybe one of the others. My favorite thing is the little Bible Scripture about birds. My mother always loved birds. I have many birdhouses in my garden and my house.

Love, Leslie

Patty's Stitches said...

What a lovely stroll to see all your beautiful birdhouses. You have quite a collection! I love visiting your blog and seeing all the beautiful paintings you create. Keep up the good work!
Blessings,
Patty

bj said...

As always, your pictures of your beautiful garden just make me smile.
I really really loved the scripture to go along with this lovely post.

I hope things are good in your world..Enjoy your break..I am getting ready for one, too. :)

*Ulrike* said...

That is a beautiful birdhouse painting. I love seeing all of your other birdhouses too. My hubby will build some every now and then, but I've never thought of painting them to add a pop of color in the yard. I always love all the different things you show on your blog!