Backyard Birds: Nuthatch’s Song

When I sat down to work on a hummingbird drawing I started several months ago (meant to be the 12th in my Backyard Birds series) I realized I hadn’t honored my love of the nuthatches yet. So, I set aside that sketch and let my admiration for these funny little feathered artists come through my pencils onto paper.

Meet the nuthatches. These hilarious birds often hang upside down, collect and hide birdseed in strange places so they can eat it later, and they have a funny way of sneaking up on people they are curious about. These tiny birds caught my attention because of their silly antics, and after dozens of interactions with them, I found myself falling in love.

Gravity doesn’t appear to exist for these little fellows, which makes them the acrobats of the bird world. I’ve caught them hanging upside down to get a closer look at me from the branches of the laurel bushes in my yard. Did you know they’re artists too? I once discovered an elaborate design of corn kernels pressed into the bark on the side of our locus tree, meticulously arranged in a diamond-like shape. I knew they liked to hide seeds in cracks and crevices, but I never imagined they would do it with such creativity.

The Drawing Process, Surprises, and Revisions

I worked on this sketch during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, making it the last work of art I created in 2023. I searched for images online that inspired me and allowed the nuthatch’s essence to shine. Capturing their inquisitive and humorous personality was one of my goals, but what took me by surprise was the evolution of the drawing itself.

I quickly got the layout where I wanted it, but as I began to add details something felt off. At first, I noticed their markings – they didn’t look like the nuthatches that lived in my yard. Then my eyes were drawn to the placement of one’s tail, it wasn’t sitting naturally for its perched position. I worked on the out-of-place details and added more bright green pine needles till I was happy with the scene. Each time I thought these cuties were ready to be shared with you all, I’d spot something else that I thought needed adjusting. The last revision I made enhanced the reddish color of their bellies. After all, they were supposed to be red-breasted nuthatches. Once I made that final color adjustment they began to sing to me and I knew they were ready to be shared with you all.

Let Your Heart Sing

Like in life, when things seem out of place, it’s important to be open to adjust and evolve, look at life from a new perspective (turn it upside down), and ultimately seek out your authentic vision. The choices that are made to follow the authenticity within can be challenging at times, but when you’re on the right path moments of magic seem to fall into place and your heart begins to sing.

This is the 12th drawing in my Backyard Birds series, Nuthatch’s Song. Interested in hanging these comical artists in your home? Click here to see the current print availability.

If you like this sketch, the story behind it, or something I’ve shared helped you discover something about yourself or others, I’d love to hear about it. Follow me on social media and subscribe to my posts to see what comes next in the Backyard Birds series!

Here are a few steps in the evolution of creating this sketch