Cardinal in the Rough

When I got my hands on oil pastels I drew for hours.

Cardinals are one of my favorite birds. So vibrant! I see them all year round. They are the bright cherry flutter of feathers that you see out of the corner of your eye while walking out the door. I can't help but smile when I see them. One of my favorite images of winter. They can move so fast you might miss them and all you see are the echoes of color behind their motion.

My cardinal is small and round, perched just so. I wanted the texture to describe the blur of movement; the pine branch bending so slightly before the cardinal releases it. He sits so proud and sure.

This was the piece that I recognized the potential of texture with oil pastel.

I hope you enjoy him as much as I do, my diamond/cardinal in the rough!