Sandy Hokanson: FOLLOWING A SECRET... BOREAL CHICKADEE -- (12 x 12 Print)

FOLLOWING A SECRET...BOREAL CHICKADEE- 12"x 12" Paper Print- by Rochester artist Sandy Hokanson.  This image is also available as a note card, a 12" x 12" framed print, or a 16" x 16" metal print. 

Sandy Hokanson: "I've only seen Boreal Chickadees twice -  both times in the Sax-Zim Bog in northern Minnesota.  They are similar to our common Black-capped Chickadees but browner overall and and seemed (to me at least) to be more skittish. They moved quickly - searching continuously for something to eat, But I imagined they were little detectives searching for secrets that needed to be revealed,  They're such small birds - but tough as they stay in the boreal forests all winter long.  In fact, climate change is forcing them, and their beloved forests, to move farther north. I hope they can hold on in Minnesota for a while longer as I'll surely miss them when they're gone."--Sandy Hokanson- September 2023

Sandy: "For many years I painted in a realistic style using acrylics or watercolors.  Now I prefer the challenge of focusing less on every feather and more on creating a clean design of each bird." "Some of my finished works are created by making detailed drawing using permanent inks which are then scanned into my computer. Others are hand drawn directly into the computer using either a mouse or a special pen and pad.  Next I'll create a unique palette of colors to layer over the drawings.  Each color is a separate layer - which means some pieces can have up to 25 layers or more. The end result is a crisp, graphic illustration."