Thursday, November 18, 2010

Wistful (Wishful) Puffin

Wishing for Spring, collage/acrylic, 6 x 6
Elizabeth W. Seaver

There once was a puffin named Martie
who, when invited to party,
said "I'm saving my coins
and girding my loins
'Cause I'm leaving this cold, frozen Arctic."

As usual, I have taken liberties with the facts in my painting.  Atlantic puffins head for northern climes during warmer months to breed and actually spend the winter at sea.  This makes it hard for scientists to study their winter behaviors and habitats.  Puffins have waterproof feathers and can drink seawater, which I find amazing.

You can learn more about Atlantic Puffins here.  They are not yet endangered, according to the Audubon.org site, but they are threatened.

I am not like some of you hardy folk who relish bundling up in layers of clothing and setting out to frolic in the snow, the deeper the better.  Nah-uh! 

There once was an artist, Elizabeth,
Who, when exhaling, could see her breath.
She dreamed of the sand,
frozen drink in her hand--
 frozen feet, instead, had Elizabeth.

Stay warm, everyone!

25 comments:

Vanessa Brantley Newton said...

What a wonderful collage piece. I love it!!! It's beautiful. Thanks so much for stopping by. I am with you about the snow and all. They can keep it!!! he he he he! Wishing you and yours a very wonderful, fun and Happy Thanksgiving.
Best,
V

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hey, Vanessa! Great interview I read about you from the link on your blog post.

Your illustrations truly rock!

Saundra Lane Galloway said...

HA...Elizabeth...most wonderful visual and visual pics you paint in our heads! I'm with you on the cold!! Here we go right into winter...Love your puffin!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hi, Saundra! I'm glad you like Martie. I shouldn't complain about winter since you live in the mountains of Colorado! (But, I'm afraid I will anyway.)

Ross Lynem said...

Hi Elizabeth. I love your blog. It is such fun. The stories are delightful and your paintings enchanting. My wife has been wanting me to do some penguins and here you have some which are so very cool. I will have to show her what you've done. It's been snowing here now for 4 days straight, minus 15 celsius, so the studio is very appealing just now. Happy painting! ross

Unknown said...

You have a lovely style, Elizabeth. I definitely see your love of birds on your work. You actually just gave me an idea so I'm going to sketch it now. Thanks!

Bella Sinclair said...

Oh, how GREAT! I love the colors on this adorable little guy. Such wonderful images peeking through, like the faint image of sheet music. Beautiful!

You know, I used to love the snow. Winter was like an extended adventure, having to bundle myself up in layers. But the more winters I spent back east, the more weary I grew of it. Go roll around in the snow? Hmmm, I'd rather stay in and drink hot chocolate, thank you.

Bella Sinclair said...

Oh! I forgot! Happy 2 year anniversary! Wooohooo!

martinealison said...

Tout ce qui touche aux animaux me remplit de joie, de sérénité et votre dernière publication m'apporte aujourd'hui une nouvelle touche de bonheur et un premier sourire ce matin.
J'aime la manière que vous avez traité ce tableau.
Bises

Carole Barkett said...

I agree, winter isn't my favorite, such a creative picture, I love it

Bronson Hill Arts said...

It's a hit, Elizabeth. You are not only incredibly talented, you are a lot of fun, too!

-Barb

Artist said...

oh, this is adorable! love how the ground he is standing on looks! great piece!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Ross, I have no right to complain about the cold, do I? I suppose that since you live there you must like it? I know it is a lovely loooooong winter.

Your work is so whimsical and fun. I love the color and the playfulness. Thanks for your kind remarks.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hi, Tanoshiboy. Thanks for your visit and kind comment. I enjoyed seeing your blog and reading the fun interview with Vanessa Brantley Newton. I hope you come back by.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hot chocolate is the best activity in the snow (besides painting!) Thanks for your congratulations on my blogiversity. I'm so glad to have gotten to see the work of talented artists and illustrators like you!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Martinealison--You always have such sweet things to say. Thanks for the inspiration of your work and for your attention from across the Atlantic! Blessings on you and your fantastic work.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hi, Carole: Yes, I believe you have the most wonderful response to the dead of winter, and that is to go south until it warms up--smart woman! Thanks for being a good blog friend!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hi, Barb. I appreciate your being one of my newest followers. I love your blog and am so glad I found it.

Roxanne Steed said...

Thanks for visiting my blog Elizabeth!- I'm a puffin fan, too!- they are the most amazing little birds - I got a kick out of seeing your bird paintings & collage works!! I'm with you- not a big fan of the cold!!! brr...

Andrew Finnie said...

Well another beautifull work, I'm always soe impryou get those textures working so well together. I've been working on the Dancing Ducks for a few days and I keep thinking about your work ... aaaaaaaaghhh :)

Oh was that a shot I heard?
see you

Andrew Finnie said...

aaaaaghhh

make that I am always so impressed by how you get your textures working with the paint

Gwen Bell said...

Love your Puffin! Your layers are always so intriguing...like those lines that make a crazy perch and lead the eye down and around the canvas. So fun! And those rhymes...too funny! You have to be very creative indeed to come up with a rhyme for "Elizabeth"! LOL!

Barbara Muir said...

Right on Elizabeth,

I'm sitting at my desk in an upstair room and it feels like the wind is whistling through at my feet. No doubt we need to insulate, and I need my slippers. Love the painting and your posts. I keep hoping to see Puffins when I head east, but it takes a concerted effort. So not yet.

XO Barbara

Sharmon Davidson said...

I adore the puffin! I put one in a painting with a Buddha, which sounds weird, but looked exactly right. Your limericks are too funny!

Anonymous said...

I think I ate one these cute birds at an Icelandic embassy party, I left after I found out I had just consumed whale.
I am not a vegetarian so I have no right to complain but I do know Iceland "harvests" whales under the guise of scientific research.
I will never forgive myself for being duped. I need to rethink a lot of things.
Beautiful drawing.
X David, NYC