Sounds of the red-headed woodpecker

I love seeing woodpeckers in the wild and it seems that it's almost as rare as spotting an owl in the wild.  The red-headed woodpecker is a beautiful bird so naturally I wanted to paint one!

"Static Cling Red-Headed Woodpecker" is currently still available for purchase and affordably priced at only $37.00!!
see http://www.racheldickson.com/rachels_art.htm for details

Want to learn more about the red-headed woodpecker? I did, so I recorded this newest addition of my audio blog complete with the songs and sound clip of an actual red-headed woodpecker!

Check it out!
http://www.racheldickson.com/audio_blog.htm

Resources used in the recording of this audio:
http://identify.whatbird.comhttp://identify.whatbird.com/obj/678/_/Red-headed_Woodpecker.aspx

http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/redheadedwoodpecker.htm

http://www.birdsandblooms.com/Birds/Most-Wanted-Birds/Red-Headed-Woodpecker/

AUDIO BLOG is HERE!!!

 It's HERE!!! I've been wanting to start working with audio again in an effort to create more substantial dialogue with art fans...and FINALLY it's HERE!

Click this link to listen to the first addition of audio. (It's less than 2 minutes long)

 As depicted in this first edition of my new audio blog I recently took a jaunt in the woods with my little side-kick Reeses Pieces. We hiked the Horseshoe Lake trail at Oak Openings Metro Park.

If you listen real close to the audio (by following the link above) you can hear my boots crunching in the snow...and if you listen EXTRA close you might even hear sounds of Reese running up and down the trail too.

I was pleased to see that many had walked this trail before me...so much of the snow was packed tight making walking pretty easy (even for Reese).

We found this cute little snowperson someone built and left on display on top of a tree trunk next to the trail. It stood less that ten inches tall. Thank you for whoever shared their snow fun with those of us who followed.

I find that wandering in the woods clears my head and fills my soul as I seek new inspiration to create new works of art. Nature always accomplished this! Never takes...always gives.

On this particular trek in the woods, Reese spent most of her time running ahead and looking back at me as if to say, "come ON! hurry UP!"
She makes for a GREAT trail buddy.

 Here is more evidence of Reese waiting on me. It took a couple tries for me to capture this shadow image of us both on the trail. Reese of course is in the lower right hand corner of the photo looking back at me...so patient.

So here's to my first installment to the audio blog!! and to walking in the woods to rejuvinate and inspire!

Onward and upwards for the arts!!

To learn more please visit RachelDickson.com

Art do-overs?

High-tech x-ray imaging has proven that some of the old masters simply painted over paintings. (click here for an example) 

No different than music, some songs take to the public and some don't. Art is no different. Some catch on, some don't. Knowing this, I decided to revivify a few paintings I have in my studio. This one here being the first.

Originally titled "Static Cling" the added red-headed woodpecker fits into this name still, perfectly! I love how these woodpeckers cling to trees with ease as depicted here.

"Static Cling" measures 7.00 inches by 5.50 inches and is painted on recycled wood for a rustic flair. And yes, the bark you see is original to this piece of cherry wood. VERY affordably priced at $37.00, this piece would make a fabulous artistic addition to your collection!

Click here to see more about Rachel's painting "Static Cling"

well, that's a wrap.

I've seen these cool word-art images around before...but not until a few days ago did I find wordle.net. Which of course got me to thinking how I could utilize the tool on this site to create a word-image.

2012 is officially a wrap. And since we're now into 2013, naturally my mind went to a place of pondering and wondering how 2013 might play out. So I put down some words that I'd like my 2013 experience to reflect and then entered them into wordle and poof, out came this cool image.

As an artist...I tend to always be thinking about the next creative project...so word-art is now another fun way to create images. But...in the mean time...it's back into the studio. Time to paint!

Go. Be. Create!
And a very Happy 2013 everyone!!

www.racheldickson.com

to the Universe...

Thank you!!!!

an artsy holiday...decking the walls

I think that it's much easier to walk into wal-mart, pick out a gift, drop it into the cart, head home, wrap it...and viola...let the gift giving commence.
Yet...as an artist it's joyous to have one of your paintings requested as a gift...especially when you can stray from the norm of what you normally paint in an effort to go the extra mile to make the gift receiver smile that much more!

This Christmas was no exception. I'd been wanting to paint something that was music related for some time...but this piece here on the left was for Chris' eldest daughter Hannah (she's a junior) who has played the trombone at Pike-Delta-York since at least the 8th grade maybe even longer. I've had the privilege of watching her play at home football game half-times and various local parades throughout the past year and a half. What an honor for me to create a piece in honor of her and her passion for playing the trombone! Painted with acrylic paint on wood with collaged lettering (also incorporating Hannah's favorite color of bright bright green) what fun is was to paint this piece and present it to her for Christmas 2012!

This little blue bird painting was the result of a special request. My mother-in-law had asked for a blue bird painting for Christmas...and what fun this guy was to create! Painted with acrylic on wood he emerged beautifully on the canvas.

There's just something very fulfilling about painting birds of the wild. They are so very beautiful and each one is different and unique in its own way.

These pieces here a but a sampling of the joy of holiday gift-giving and creating one-of-a-kind gifts for friends and family for the holidays!  I am blessed beyond words to have the ability to create such smiles for others!

Merry Christmas to all!

to learn more about Rachel's art visit www.racheldickson.com

in the spirit of Christmas...winter...and frivolity

It may be difficult to tell from this photo what exactly is going on here. So I'll make it a bit easier and just tell you. Snow kayaking. Yep.

Crazy notion I know...but...I couldn't help myself. Here I was in Tennessee after a rare big snow...and no sled could be found ANYWHERE! (Not kidding...no sleds in stores, no ice-salt for sidewalks...although I did discover that Epsom salt worked well as a substitute...but I digress.)

So as not to miss a snowy-opportunity...as there was a rather larger, steep hill behind my house...I got to thinking. What might I use to enjoy this snow in the spirit of winter?

BING! Kayak of COURSE! So off I went into the garage...pulled my kayak down to the top of the hill...and OFF I went!! The fence at the bottom of the hill really wasn't enjoying the wintery fun as much as I was...and proceeded to try and kabash my fun...but I adapted and managed not to bleed in any way (the smile on my face can attest).

Now living in Ohio...we here are hoping for a white Christmas...which here isn't all that rare. The hills we have for sledding are designed specifically for sledding (so steep they're hard to get to the top)...so I won't be dragging my kayak to commit sledding suicide...but we are in the market for some big ole tractor tire tubes. Those are the BOMB for sledding here! (and sleds ABOUND in stores because sledding here in Ohio is a movement all its own!)

So here's to whatever weather strikes your fancy in which to enjoy your Christmas holidays! I'm hoping for some snow-ball chucking...and some life-size snow-sculpting among other things.

In the mean time, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
and a VERY Merry Christmas!

to learn more about Rachel Dickson and her sometimes not-so-artistic-adventures 
visit www.racheldickson.com