Swans are a very elegant bird and on this occasion I was enjoying this pair that had recently returned from their spring migration, coming back to Crex Meadows in Grantsburg, WI ready to start a new family. Now, these birds are gathering in larger group with their cygnets flying and preparing, and when the first very cold weather comes freezing all the water then the trumpeter swans like many of the sandhill cranes will start their migration. It is interesting that the birds wait for that moment to leave.

Last night moving the clock back signifies, like the cold weather for the birds, that winter is here and we are in for a very long time of snow and cold before spring returns with her warmer weather. Painting during the winter months is very good keeping me very busy and I so enjoy painting. The art business has been an interesting experience for the past 6 years, not unlike any other work, requires a lot of efforts and constant care and living in a very small community where we have abundant wildlife helps me to study the animals and practice painting. As a painter the developing and growing continues so there is not ever a time when the work stops.

This year has been more a year of what I call “free will commissions,” these are special paintings that I have painted for others without them knowing, and later sharing this work as a gift with them and no exchange of money. The art has been bought and paid for a long time ago and so they do not owe me a thing. What I have learned about people when I do this is they are not sure what to do, the world has taught them so well that is not how things work, really, from who’s book did that come from? Not my favorite book the Bible. Hmmm, seems like they have new things, or should I say old things to relearn and they have a very long way to go, but it is a start and I am grateful to paint for others with no strings attached. What some folks have done is make some donations to me and that is nice and I will use to help with material costs. I paint wildlife life and love painting to praise God for all his blessings and all his creations big and small and everything in-between. It is a way that I can stay very close to God and honor him in all I do with my work as a painter. My wish is that what ever work you do, that you always honor God, do the best you can, and pray for all our children and their future that might be brighter than our past, and that there will be peace on earth and good will toward man, woman and child, and the animals too.

Jimmy Springett-wildlife painter