Day 8 #WorldWatercolorGroup My Favorite Bird Blue and Gold Macaw
By Charlie

My Favorite Bird

Written by Charlie O'Shields

I’ve never really thought about having a favorite bird, but since I love color, I’m going to have to go with a blue-and-gold macaw. I just find these birds gorgeous in color and their striped faces only add to their character and mystique. Also, when I was a kid, I always wanted a talking parrot as a pet. I think I remember somebody having one, but now, I can’t quite recall who that was. I thought it would be cool to have a pet I could chat with rather than simply feed. This dream never came true, however, and I ended up with a hamster instead. The hamster was adorable, but said nothing at all. This, as it turns out, was precisely my mother’s logic all along.

Also, I discovered that macaws mate for life, so I figured it would be pretty unfair to just have one. But having two would have definitely been out of the question, so the macaw dream quickly died and the hamster took all the focus. This made me think about how cool it would be if you could teach a hamster how to speak. Having a tiny little voice mimic everything you said sounded sort of awesome. I have to admit to talking to my hamster and making sad attempts to teach it to say something. It never did. Instead, it would just look at me with those tiny little eyes that appeared to be saying, “you’re a complete idiot, aren’t you?”

I just love dreaming of possibilities. It’s fun to conceive of interesting ways life could work if anything were possible. I’m never bothered by the fact that most of what happens in my head could never happen in reality. In fact, reality is likely breathing a sigh of relief that those things could never occur. But reality is never as helpful when it comes to solving problems. If you’re looking for an amazing solution or some new creative thing to try. While you could ask the people around you for help, they’re often far too likely to tell you something that’s already been done, or simply what they think you want to hear. Sometimes, instead, I prefer to close my eyes and let my mind wander. Perhaps, even floating all the way down to a South American rain forest, where I can simply sit and listen the sage advice of my blue-and-gold macaw.

This post is also my entry in the monthly Draw-a-Bird Day, hosted by my soul sister Laura. Definitely check out her blog, Create Art Everyday!

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About the Doodlewash

M. Graham Watercolors: Permanent Green Pale, Gamboge, Burnt Sienna, Cobalt Teal, and Ultramarine Blue. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon sepia ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal.

Charlie O'Shields

Creator of Doodlewash, founder of World Watercolor Month (July), World Watercolor Group, and host of the Sketching Stuff Podcast. Sharing watercolor illustrations and stories while proudly featuring talented artists from all over the world!

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50 thoughts on “My Favorite Bird”

  2. This is just sensational – what a crazy, kooky and beautiful character! Perfect!

    Macaws are certainly packed with the personality to match their colours – more often than not, they sure like the sound of their own very loud voice! 😉 This is confirmed by my African Grey, who will continue to do deafening macaw impressions almost a decade after moving away from a neighbouring one. I’d still love a macaw, though (or two, now you mention it…). Those colours are a sight to behold!

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  4. Look at the cheeky parrot you have painted, so full of fun, and I bet he is one of those that specialises in a host of choice words? Great painting Charlie, so much character in this one
    ‘ it’s behind you, hello,hello, brooooom, broom, whoops a daisy, ding dong, bring bring, bring, hello whose calling, p…off wrong number, who’s a naughty boy then, give us a kiss’
    oh he is a chatter box!

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    1. Awww thanks, Laura! 😃💕 I feel like after a year, I’m suddenly starting to get the hang of this a little better. hehe… But this one was mostly sketched so that helps a lot with the details. I’ve had the itch to draw more lately! (but I can never go without my colors! hehe)

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      1. I know what you mean about color but I so love graphite and even colored pencil. Pointy things! I can’t imagine life without them. Just a simple pencil……there is power in the pencil, Charlie. I know you feel me. But yeah your daily practice … it really shows the power of practice. Although honestly, I loved your stuff from the start!

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  21. I can’t decide which I love better: your breathtakingly gorgeous painting, or your hilarious commentary (“The hamster was adorable, but said nothing at all”). Thank you for both, Charlie.

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