There’s only one new bird this week, Encore, a 24x24” canvas which is another version of Temperance, the rook I did a last month as well as a third version called Ruckus from 2024. It utilized the technique I’m developing of blending gesso into charcoal and pastel to set the pigment without having to use fixative. It’s been a learning experience because the gesso works better with white or pale birds, so I had to expand the palette to include black, deep blue and burnt umber paint in this piece. I do like the effect though, especially the blending of the beak. In the meantime, I had a long, lovely phone call with a very old friend who I lost touch with when I moved to Cape Cod. I can’t remember how we met but it was definitely in the 70s. He is, sadly, losing his eyesight but he seems quite stoic about it as he continues to paint without really being able to see exactly what he’s doing. It made me realize how profoundly grateful I am to have been able to adapt my work to not being able to see as well as I did before the cataract surgeries. I suggested we do a show together since he paints trees, which feels like a natural fit, and he is as spiritual about trees as I am about birds. Perhaps it will happen. Let’s hope so - okay, on with the day.