i make pretty: Hummingbird Inspired Artwork

// Happy Hummingbird 8x10 Print by imakepretty //

Inspired by the magical little hummingbirds that started coming around our home last summer, I painted these two colorful little birds. It all started with one very friendly, ruby-throated humminbird who would sit outside and sing the same song all day. We hung a hummingbird feeder for him, and before long, more hummingbirds showed up. 

// Happy Hummingbird Birthday Card by imakepretty //

 

After a couple of weeks, I could stand outside, and he would come right up to my face, hover, then go to his feeder, eat, and take off. He was so cute!

5 interesting hummingbird facts:

• Their wings flap in the shape of an infinity symbol when they hover
• Hummingbirds can fly backwards, left, right and forward
• They flap their wings about 80 times per second
• Their feet are for perching, not walking or hopping
• Hummingbirds symbolize joy, playfulness and adaptability

I haven't seen him in awhile, I'm hoping the spring brings him back!

Back to the art-- this was the first time that I painted in detail with watercolors. I usually use watercolors when I'm painting abstractly and acrylics when I want to paint details. I really liked the way the watercolors allowed me to add depth and layers of color so nicely on top of each other and I was still able to get the detail that I wanted.

I have added the 8x10 Happy Hummingbirds print and the Happy Hummingbird birthday card  above to my Etsy store, i make pretty, check out the new goods!

xo,

Maria

Experience & Explore: The Japanese Gardens, Van Nuys, California

"The beauty of the "garden of water and fragrance" (Suiho En) creates for the visitor a world of meditative calm where it is possible to focus on the simple and beautiful things in nature, and our lives." - The Japanese Garden

A real hidden treasure, The Japanese Garden in Van Nuys is a wonderful way to escape Los Angeles and soak in some Yin to balance all that Yang. This beautiful and authentic garden brought back so many peaceful memories of the Gardens in Japan. You can see one of the gardens we visited in Kyoto here and a garden in Shinjuku here.

Here the air is fragrant, clean and clear. Birds chirp, the wind rustles through the leaves, and the sound of the waterfall is soothing and tranquil. Once inside the walls of this 6 1/2 acre garden I literally felt time slooooooowww down.

The next time you need to restore your inner-peace and set your worries free, I highly recommend doing yourself a favor and visiting this secluded little gem. 

The Japanese Garden 6100 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys, California 91406 T: (818).756.8166

Do you have a hidden local getaway to escape the crazy?

Experience and Explore: Portola Redwoods State Park Part 2

If you missed Part 1 of this post, you can find it here. Though the drive into Portola Redwoods State Park is torturous, the view is amazing. I was too car sick to take pictures on the way in, but was able to catch some on the way out. Timing your departure from the park just right will reward you with views like these. Enjoy! 

Experience and Explore: Portola Redwoods State Park Part 1

Forty Five minutes from Saratoga, hides Portola Redwoods State Park. The only way into the park is a tiny, windy road (with no guard rails), guaranteed to make you car sick. Once you arrive, you realize the price you paid to get here is so worth it. This place is a real life wonderland; everything about the park is so magical and enchanting. Take a look....

majestic redwoods

m u s h r o o m s

tiny town

tiny dew drops

 all mighty redwood

returning to from where it came

washed ashore

out of a fairy tale

try as you might, you simply cannot capture the way this magical place truly is 

serenity

mini mushrooms

earth 

dew drops on her dress