Painting a New Zealand song bird - Tui

The Tui is a beautiful bird from New Zealand who is renowned for their gorgeous blue/black iridescent plumage, their intelligence and delightful song.
 Easily recognized in the New Zealand bush by the white tufts of feathers at their throat , Tui can be heard at many times in the day calling out with their many beautiful trills, clicks, wheezes and whistles.
This protected native bird was once a delicacy food for the Maori people of New Zealand and their feathers were often used in ceremonial cloaks.
Tui are among the 'honeyeater' family, nectar is their primary diet, favorites are New Zealand flax flowers and bright yellow Kowhai blossoms.
I know I am home when I hear this beautiful bird singing to welcome the morning sun from the top of a tree fern. 

I decided to paint this one on a little feeder shelf that I could pretend was outside my Texas window, I left him some Kowhai flowers, in hopes that he might stay around a while and sing for me....

                                                'A gift for Tui'
                                                                Watercolor on paper

 prints available in the 

Feathers & Fern Art store ...

Thanks for visiting,  xx Helen

Under the spell of New Zealand... again

I have just returned from a magical trip home to New Zealand...

I forget how raw and beautiful it is.. 

until I return ..

and I become totally enchanted all over again...

the rugged beauty tugs at my heart so.. I feel it unravelling on tiny strings as I inhale with my eyes 

until next time.......

lots of love and fond memories,
 Helen

A recap and some Gorilla love for 2012

I have been immersing myself in my sweet little family and dear friends over the holiday period , I have  been enjoying expressing my creativity through baking, creating gifts , and hosting special Christmas soiree's..

 here are a few moments...

I'm so glad I took the time out to revel in the joys of creating for people I love , I had so much fun and didn't feel like I was being torn in a hundred directions :)..

Now our gorgeous new year is here, full of bubbling promise and glorious potential for magical happenings... sending you lots of love for your amazing 2012..xxxxxx

here is a precious little true story that found it's way to me on new years day.... sniff'..

watch if you love nature and sweet miracles...

Love Helen

New Customizable Journal range.. and a gift to the whales

 I have been working on creating a product that is 'useable art' and 

I'm so happy to share my new journal range with you.

I have been having so much fun blending my  original watercolor art with vintage ephemera and textures on photoshop to create unique, ethereal artwork.

here is the 'Beekeeper' journal...

and ..' Humpback Angel friend '

A great added feature is that these journals are customizable. You will have your name or the name of your 'special someone' printed on the inside cover i.e... Eva's little book of miracles, or Helen's little book of words , or dreams', whatever you choose. :)

here is the back inside cover..

and the back of the journal.

$2 from every journal sold will be donated to The Great Whale Conservancy  to help them in their efforts striving to protect Blue Whales and Humpbacks.

 I love gifts that keep on giving :)

These journals are available for purchase at Feathers & Fern art ' store.

Thanks for visiting.. :)  Love Helen xxx

silk,sheep, bamboo... and a new blog

My energy has been a little focused in other directions the last few weeks.. 

I decided I would learn to knit myself some fingerless mittens for the coming cooler months..

I found the most beautiful yarn, it is made from silk, merino wool and Alpaca..

here is the pattern I used ..so easy , truly ...

 I really like the feel of using bamboo needles.

These mitts are so quick to knit up , they would make great Christmas gifts..

and what a lovely sense of satisfaction to know that you knit them yourself!

Great for all of you 'coy wannabe knitters' out there.. c'mon ..you know who you are!!

I have also felt the 'nudge' to create a second blog, called 'Whole Soul Living'.. if you would like to check it out, I have recently posted a lovely recipe for a natural counter spray ( which smells quite heavenly').. :)

Have a wonderful joyful Thanksgiving' holiday for all of those in the USA..have lots of fun spending time with the people that you love :)

Hugs , Helen xxxxxxx