Today's piece, "The Tale of Whittling Willie", was inspired by an early morning walk yesterday. Despite the weather being quite chilly, I had this craving to get out and take in everything as much as possible; an unusual desire to see things with a new pair of eyes so that's exactly what I did.
While walking along a dirt path, something to the left caught my attention. I stopped and turned, scanning the sides of a muddy creek, but found nothing. Or so I thought. Just as I began to walk away it moved again, making a huge fuss on the water's edge. It was a little beaver and once he realized I was gazing at him in wonder, he seemed to tilt his head slightly, looking at me in the most peculiar way.
I watched in amazement as he began tugging a dead water rat that appeared half his size down the muddy shore, all the while taking periodic breaks to stop and look back at me. I smiled.
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Wonderful post ~and Whittling Willie is awesome! Well done ~ Nature is so good for the soul ~ thanks, namaste, CArol (Share the Creative Journey) ~ happy PPF ^_^
ReplyDeletei love this story, it sounds like you live somewhere wonderful and surrounded by nature. your painting is lovely and i definitely see the beatrix potter influence.
ReplyDeletesuch a beautiful piece of art my friend, and a magical post. It is so cute how you and Mr.Beaver looked with wonder at each other, so so beautiful.
ReplyDeletehugs
I love this,, you are on a roll, I can't wait to see what comes next! A book maybe,
ReplyDeleteYou did a very good job drawing and painting Whittling Willie. You are very talented.
ReplyDeleteI love Whittling Willie. How wonderful that you were able to observe the beaver in action tis morning. Beautiful painting.
ReplyDeleteSophia, what a wonderful post in so many ways!! Great to hear you sound happy and inspired and creating! Willy is fabulous! Walking and observing is so enjoyable I find - something I've been trying to do with my "Walking in my World" sketchbook.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to seeing more of what Beatrix inspires and you create!
And seeing a beaver - Wow!
This is a wonderful post and great work... love the story that goes with your great painting. Thanks for sharing xx
ReplyDeleteOh, I love this new found creativity...your dad must be smiling wide from above!!!!
ReplyDeleteHUGS! Your previous post is beautiful, too - I am definitely going to rent that movie!
beautiful inspired sketch!
ReplyDeleteDon't you love it when wildlife does that...makes eye contact and you have a moment together. That has happened to me a few times and it's really cool.
ReplyDeleteOh I just love this piece! I'm glad that beatrix is playing muse for you! Happy PPF!
ReplyDeleteHi Sophia, just thought I'd let you know that I received your adorable artwork in the mail this week (the beautiful watercolor houses), which I brought from your Etsy site. Thank you very much. I love it. It is up in my studio for inspiration. My daughter wants it in her room, but hopefully I'll win. He he he he.
ReplyDeleteKyles :D
I would have to say your dad is sending you this inspiration. Who knows, maybe he bumped into Miss Potter and they had a little chat about you.
ReplyDeleteYour new sketches and paintings are wonderful. I'm glad they are giving you comfort.
Love your Willie. Great story about what you observed. He must have been awestruck by you if he kept look at you. I think he wanted you to get a good picture of him and by jove you did! Great job.
ReplyDeleteWonderful, I love this. :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful drawing and I love this story!!! Glad you are experiencing wonder and joy!
ReplyDeleteHugs!
<3 BEAUTIFUL
ReplyDeleteLife building.
ReplyDeleteLOVE!
ReplyDeleteNothing like connection with nature. Animals have a lot to teach us! thanks for sharing your story.:)
ReplyDeleteI love Beatrix Potter and I can see the influence in this. It's wonderful! I didn't know beavers would eat rat. I guess I thought they only ate fish.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, I love the beaver. Reminded me of our trip to Alaska, we had a beaver we called Bucky that would come to the edge of the lake and beat the water with his tail. He came every evening and we would come out and he would put on a show of swimming in circles and diving for us.
ReplyDeletePS: I will be back to Sunday Sketches next week.
Sophia, I love your true story and how you are able to capture the beauty of it in your painting. It made me smiled. :)
ReplyDeleteVery nice. Willy is very cute and you will always remember that day when you gaze upon your art~ Happy PPF.
ReplyDeleteLovely story and a sweet pirce of art. Thank you. Happy PPF.
ReplyDeleteI think Miss Potter would be thrilled by this story and your delightful paintings! I think I heard somewhere that beavers have been reintroduced into Scotland as an experiment, so maybe I might get to see one in the wild (should I happen to pop over the border and get lucky!). It would probably be easier to pop over the Atlantic!!
ReplyDeleteGreat picture, and life is often more magical than stories! Valerie
ReplyDeleteA wonderful post. Love your beaver.
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a nice weekend, Evelyn
I love the picture and I love the story. Beatrix Potter is a very favorite of mine, I love her early artworks as well. Her gardens were beautiful. Blessings, Janet
ReplyDeleteHow Wonderful! I LOVE your little guy - and love that story! I can only imagine he was letting you watch him, helping you to write (and draw) his story! Love that you are connecting in this way with Beatrix Potter too - you are both an inspiration, xo
ReplyDeletethis is so cute!
ReplyDeleteI took a photo of a beaver pile in a creek last week. It was huge! They cut down so many trees to make it.
Wow, where do you live? What a treat!!! Your painting is absolutely gorgeous, I LOVE the little guy ( or girl?)!!!!! Deb
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