Perched on a Page: bird sketches galore at the Museum of American Bird Art

Posted on October 9, 2017October 9, 2017 by zeladoniac Posted in Art, Artists, bird art, birds, Drawing, Exhibits, field sketching, life drawing, Massachusetts, museums, New England, Sketching

Perched on a Page, according to Museum of American Bird Art Director Amy Montague, set the MABA record for the most art objects in a single exhibit: over a dozen framed paintings, 10 framed drawings, over 105 unframed drawings, and a table case filled with sketchbooks opened to favorite drawings. Also, one of my DIY mint-tin watercolor kits, tastefully arranged with a well-used pencil and waterbrush.

SMK_0481 — Sketchbook pages in a mezzanine table case overlooking the exhibit hall below. *Photo by Sean Kent.*

It’s a good show for anyone who likes birds and drawings, with enough paintings to add some color relief to the line work.

Opening day was a fine one. Sunday’s reception was well-attended by friends, birders, bird artists, and bird art lovers. Perched on a Page will run until January 14, 2018. I do hope you can make it.

SMK_0505 — Bird artist Lucia De Leiris checks out the Australia sketches displayed in a specially-built plexiglass case that can show drawings on both sides of the paper. Necessary, because I had taken only one sketchbook along on a three-week trip to Australia. *Photo by Sean Kent.*

Putting up a show takes many hands. *Photo by the Motmot.*

The opening was a success by all measures. Here, E.O.Wilson gives me drawing tips.

15 thoughts on “Perched on a Page: bird sketches galore at the Museum of American Bird Art”

October 9, 2017 at 1:08 pm Reply
Carol says:

Wow! Such amazing drawings and E.O. Wilson, too! Congrats on what looks to be a great show – wish I could be there to see it!
October 9, 2017 at 2:00 pm Reply
Corienne Cotter says:

So very proud of you, Debby!
1. October 9, 2017 at 5:35 pm Reply
  zeladoniac says:
  
  Thank you, Corienne- that means a lot.
October 9, 2017 at 3:43 pm Reply
Kate Forward says:

We loved this show, and meeting Debby at the opening was a treat and an honor. Spectacular day!
1. October 9, 2017 at 5:33 pm Reply
  zeladoniac says:
  
  Kate- so glad you both made it to the opening. Great to meet you!
October 9, 2017 at 4:31 pm Reply
Stanley Cotter says:

A celebration for a true artist’s life. Thank you for sharing it with us.
1. October 9, 2017 at 5:34 pm Reply
  zeladoniac says:
  
  Love this thought. Thank you!
October 9, 2017 at 5:21 pm Reply
Lori Bacigalupi says:

Passionate artist, kind and visionary human….
An inspirational soul.
November 30, 2017 at 1:58 pm Reply
Norman McGinnis says:

I was in the Boston area over Thanksgiving. We drove to Canton to see your exhibit. I’ve been a regular viewer of your blog since 2007. I have see scans of your work online, but the scans do not do justice to the pages from your sketchbooks. Beautiful, inspiring work! Thanks so much for observing and sharing.
January 4, 2018 at 12:18 pm Reply
Playamart - Zeebra Designs says:

With a random search for ‘motmot burrows’ I reached one of your posts. Wow, I am sitting here – in Ecuador – and so grateful for the magic of cyberspace, where a few clicks of the cursor places us at the doorways of kindred spirits. I feel a bit as if I’m looking over my own shoulder here, yet I also see a very unique and strong voice, who influences many through her work.

I look forward to enjoying more pages! It will be a pleasure to follow your work!
Lisa
February 14, 2018 at 1:38 am Reply
MariaHopp says:

Beautiful drawings and the specially-built plexiglass case was genius!
February 21, 2018 at 12:11 am Reply
brianbari says:

Sorry to miss it. Will it travel anywhere else?
July 8, 2019 at 1:20 am Reply
remotedistance says:

Spiritual Healing Sydney | Spiritual Healer | Spiritual Healing Melbourne
Spiritual Healing Sydney, we heal you through your soul.
Robert a Spiritual Healer helps you to reflect back the parasites
and negative forces from your life through healing
Spiritual Healer,Spiritual Healing Sydney,Spiritual Healing,Spiritual Healing Melbourne
September 13, 2019 at 8:04 am Reply
good content in this article. I’ll start carrying out a lot more of some of this. Thank You for the content. says:

You’ve made some great information here. I will try and follow your blog post because you have definately shown us a couple of things man. Peace and blessing!!
Pingback: Perched on a Web page: hen sketches galore on the Museum of American Hen Artwork – Kreativ.my – Kreativ Work Solutions