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For the next 24 hours, this painting is specially priced at $150! 
After 24 hours, it will return to its retail price of $250.
75% of the proceeds will go to a wildfire relief fund. 

This painting is 10" x 7". Click here if you would like to purchase this watercolor.

We came looking for the Tundra Swans at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. At this spot, it was pretty marshy close to the road. That's why it looks so grassy with a touch of algae in the water. Across the way, we could see one of several lakes, which are home to many different birds, such as ducks, geese, herons, swans, and even sandhill cranes. It was really cool when we spotted more than one hundred swans on Christmas Day last year. We stopped and listened to them calling out to one another. Apparently, swans mate for life, which explains why they were flying in and out in pairs. I highly recommend getting out there this December. It is one of those times that will absolutely take your breath away.

What I love about painting is the flood of memories that it brings to me as I paint. Plus, when you see it, you may have your very own set of memories too. Naturally, I am using my eyes, but it seems like every one of my senses is in play. I can almost smell that marshy water and hear the bugling sounds the swans were making. It makes me cold just thinking about how chilly it was that December morning, and if I think real hard, I can almost taste the mocha I was sipping on. Also, being able to share this moment with my family was very special. As I paint, I remember all of those things, as well as the color of the sky as the sun came out. But mostly I remember how full my heart was. Click here to read today's story on the blog.

In other news, someone asked if we were going to bring Jake the golden retriever puppy home or not. Unfortunately, we won't be getting a dog. Our boy Bodie has been gone for 12 years, and we are pretty comfortable now without a furry friend in the house. After yesterday, with all the people coming through the art studio tour, I bet Jake has already found a forever home. 

Thank you for taking the time to visit with me here. It is always so nice to know you are out there following along. I appreciate you and your support of my fundraising effort for wildfire relief.

I hope you had a very good weekend and are rested and ready for a productive week! Tomorrow we are getting a new roof, so I'll see how the painting goes with people overhead!

Sending you hugs,
Kristi