Bluebird Post
It’s no wonder the bluebird is associated with happiness. This lovely thrush is a harbinger of spring, chattering its warbled song as soon as the days start to warm. I have had the good fortune of seeing and hearing bluebirds frequently over the last few weeks. And whenever I do, I can’t help but feel grateful for its brilliant flash of blue and notes of good cheer. Thoreau was right: the bluebird carries the sky on its back—and glimpsing it is one of the simple pleasures of spring.
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A little more about this journal page: I love this quirky fence. Made of old bed posts by my friend Camille, it makes a great backdrop for her country garden. I was short on time and drawing fast directly in ink, so I didn’t quite get the proportions right. Maybe that was good. I didn’t fuss much with the painting either, which gives it a loose and casual feel…much like the garden and fence. Drawing and text were done with Micron 02 pen with a couple of washes of watercolor in a Stillman & Birn Beta journal.
Drawn In 
I love this page! the loose whimsical fence, beautiful bird, lovely colors and beautiful script! Bravo!
Thank Jodi! Have a great day!
Gorgeous! Everything about it! Thanks for sharing with us Jean!
Thanks Laura- Isn’t it a great fence? I’ve got to try a larger painting based on this sketch.
Yes!
Rabbit, Rabbit…..1st day of May. Bluebird is my good morning. 😎
What’s that from? It’s fun! Isn’t it great to get to May again?!
When I was at school in England we’d all say ‘Rabbit!’ as we went to bed (in a large dorm) at the end of the month and awoke with ‘Hares!’ to welcome the first day of the month … all for good luck. 🙂
p.s. I love the funky fence with the harp shape in the middle — the whole page is as delightful as this sunny May day!
It’s funny what kids do for luck (or to ward off bad luck)…now that might make a fun journal page– I’ll leave the rabbits to you!
A sweet spring song from the bluebird on the fence. Very nice quick sketch. Thanks for sharing your sketch and story; I haven’t seen any B.Birds where I live.
I don’t know much about the range of the western bluebird, but you have to have the right habitat for them, that’s for sure. Thanks for your comment!
Such a nice fence, and what a wonderful page:-)
Thanks! I hope to paint it again in different seasons.
Love this Jean, both word and art!
Thanks Darienne! Let’s connect soon!
Fantastic and whimsical!
Thanks Susan!
You’re a magician, Jean, my fence has never looked so good!
Well, I did do a little repair work…
Ooh you sketch book is just magical! Mine does not look like that. Beautiful.
Thanks Vicki– The beauty of it is that everyone’s sketchbooks are so different. I consider mine more of a journal, so I am less inclined to practice techniques or work out artistic problems in it. I do that elsewhere and leave my main artist journal to record experiences and do more finished pages.
So beautiful Jean. I love the whimsy.
Thanks Sharon. You are very good with whimsy– I just stray there occasionally. Glad you liked this!
Thank you Jean.
Beautiful painting, a fantastic way to welcome May. Love the view, every garden should have birds singing and a bit of whimsy, especially a fence made out of bed posts…brilliant!
Yes! Now if we could just get a little more sunshine I could be out welcoming May some more.