I have been feeding a squirrel I named Sandy (after the squirrel on Spongebob Squarepants) every day on my back deck for years. She comes to visit several times a week, and if I leave my screen opened long enough she comes right in. I started giving her food down by the trees now because I don't want her to go into someone's house who is not as happy to see her as I am.
Another reason I like today is because I am godmother to a very wonderful squirrel named Willow.
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| Willow happy at home munching a branch. |
Almost four years later he is an adult fox squirrel who weighs almost four pounds, and lives cage free in Brooklyn's home. He is completely potty trained and eats everything from tree branches from the yard to sweet potatoes, and the occasional Oreo. He is an unbelievable handful and also almost unbelievably smart. Willow has his own Facebook group--you can visit HERE.
This drawing of Willow was featured at Galleria West in New Jersey. He's quite a beautiful creature--very symmetrical and lovely to behold--kind of the Brad Pitt of squirrels according to his mama.
There is never a dull moment with Willow, and I am happy there is a special day to celebrate squirrels.
Although I think Brooklyn would say every day is Squirrel Appreciation Day at her house.
xo
I hope you share today's video, How to Draw Willow the Squirrel with a young person who is interested in art--and maybe squirrels.
Don't forget to enter to win the JETPENS brush sampler HERE!!
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| Win all five! Contest ends January 31. |
Music by Harrison.
Happy Boy - Harrison
https://soundcloud.com/harrison_music...
Drawn with Pentel pocket brush pen.
Awww, what a darling post! I'm glad you have such lovely squirrels in your life. Beautiful artwork and happy squirrel appreciation day to you!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lisa! I am just nuts about the little critters--pardon the pun. I get constant updates about Willow and they always make me smile. He's too much. Happy Squirrel Appreciation Day to you too! xo
DeleteWonderful post Dea, Willow is a gorgeous squirrel, that's sure. Your drawing is really good. Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteHe is a beauty for sure--and thank you! Happy Squirrel Day! xo
DeleteAh, yes, I'm familiar with Willow!
ReplyDeleteHe's a cutie. xo
DeleteThis is gorgeous!Love the mix of colours and black and white!
ReplyDeleteNever knew about Squirrel's day...Willow is so cute. :)
Thanks for visiting my space Dea and for your sweet comments.
I don't know I I heard about Squirrel Day either--but I'm glad I found out. Once I got to know Willow I became entranced by the little fellows. They are SO smart. So glad to meet you Deepa--and thank you for coming by. xo Dea
DeleteWillow is precious and certainly inspired a wonderful piece of art too!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit to my Magpie's Nest
Happy PPF oxo
Happy Squirrel Appreciation Day too ;-)
Thank you thank you Patty S. Willow's mama will be happy to hear all the kind words. xo
DeleteVery nice work Dea!
ReplyDeleteThank you Christine! xo
DeleteI love your Willow, too, and your painting is fantastic, Dea.
ReplyDeleteHappy PPF xx
Oh I love squirrels too...Willow is adorable. I have fed many a squirrel over the years. One would always visit my yard I just loved it!! Wonderful illustration, I love it!! Happy Squirrel Appreciation day!
ReplyDeleteHugs Giggles
It must run in my family too. My aunt fed a squirrel for years she called Charlie. He would come right up her front steps and patiently wait for a snack. So glad you stopped by. XO
DeleteI love everything about this post! How wonderful that you have a little squirrel who visits for food and I love the story about Willow - that's adorable. I had no idea there was a Squirrel Appreciation Day but it's wonderful. Your Willow art work is beautiful, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the kind words Nic! To be honest I think almost every day is a celebration for something now a days… I think today is national hug day! So sending a hug! XO
DeleteYour portrait of Willow is delightful with that cute expression that you captured. My brother had a ground squirrel as a pet when we were growing up, and he was really sweet and smart too. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteOh how lovely that you grew up with a squirrel as a friend! Thank you so much for coming by and your kind words Arnoldo! XO
DeleteI'm so going to try this!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh I am so excited that you are going to give this a try Jennifer! I just can't wait to see the results. I will look for it! Have a great weekend Jennifer. XO
DeleteAnd you!
DeleteWillow is so sweet! Lucky to have been recued and in a loving place. Wonderful illustration of him too!
ReplyDeleteYes Willow was very lucky to be found across the street from such a knowledgeable and caring person. I know that she thinks she is lucky to have Willow too. Thank you so much for your nice words and thanks for stopping by Linda. XO
DeleteBeautiful piece of art and I love that immediate expression on his face and body language.
ReplyDeleteThank you Laila! I so love that you appreciate how he seems to be caught in mid run in this picture. The little guy is always on the go! Actually he is pretty huge for a squirrel weighing in at about 4 pounds… About the same weight as her dog. Thanks for stopping by! XO
DeleteI have always got a bag of peanuts in my pocket to feed the squirrels in our park..we love them..fab drawing and tutorial
ReplyDeleteAww so sweet--I love them too. And thanks Lorraine. Stay safe if you are in the path of the blizzard. xo
DeleteDea, your illustration of the squirrel in the oak tree is beautiful. I love the detail work. And the video for kids is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much sweet Faye. We are expecting a large storm and I will be worried about the little buggers the whole time and feeding them nuts and snacks. Have a lovely weekend and thank you for stopping by. XO
ReplyDeleteAwww, Willow! Such a pleased and content expression!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cutie! Nice drawning too.
ReplyDeleteRemind my of my childhood - I had a book (have it until today) with wonderful illustrations:
http://www.amazon.de/Rotfellchen-Jadwiga-Wernerowa/dp/B0000BU4PO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1453546633&sr=1-1&keywords=Rotfellchen
Thank you--what I lovely book. I am going to order it it's so beautiful. Very inspiring. Xo
DeleteLucky you! Your squirrel friends are so CUTE! I think because we have dogs our squirrels are more timid-as soon as they hear the latch on the door they run! Fantastic drawing too!
ReplyDeleteThank you Erika! My dog has a definite reaction to squirrels to… But she chases them as far as she can. She's fast but not as fast as they are thank goodness! Hope you have a lovely weekend. XO
DeleteOh yes, good luck with the storm too! Hope you don't lose power!
ReplyDeleteThank you! My fingers are crossed and I'm knocking on wood but so far so good. I got some hot chocolate yesterday so I'm all set. XO
DeleteOh yes, good luck with the storm too! Hope you don't lose power!
ReplyDeletelove your drawing of Willow. Squirrels are such cute and funny creatures :)
ReplyDeleteThank you thank you alarm cat! I completely agree… They are adorable. XO
DeleteThat is a terrific painting of Willow loking very alert among the lovely leaves.
ReplyDeleteI agree squirrels are so cute, we have the occasional one visiting.
Thanks for the video again, that is so fun.
Oh thank you Sheila! I love when they visit. :) Have a good weekend and hope you are staying warm if you are on the east coast. xo
DeleteAdorable squirrel and who knew they could be potty trained! So glad to hear Willow's story had such a happy ending. I know some folks think of them as nothing more than rats with tails, but 1. rats can be cute! and 2. squirrels are adorably fluffy and mischievous. :D
ReplyDeleteYour squirrel drawing is even cuter with that little face. Beautiful fall leaves, too.
Thank you thank you Cindy! I love rats, mice, chipmunks, squirrels--all of them. They are smart and resourceful. We have two feet of snow outside and one of the first things I did was put out food so they don't starve. Yes Willow is a happy little guy. :) So glad you stopped by. xo
Deletethat painting is fantastic! Love the fine lines in the background! Squirrels are so cute, but Willow must be one of the cutest I've ever seen! I had no idea they could be potty-trained.... How fun!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much denthe! Oh Willow is the cutest. I am lucky enough to see pictures of him and video updates all the time--and he's smart as a whip--but NOT good as a regular pet. Very challenging. And yep--can you believe it!? And I mean he truly goes ON THE POTTY. Too much. xo
DeleteHappy belated Squirrel Day! I have never seen a home squirrel pet. How exciting!
ReplyDeleteThank you Pamela! Oh and he amazing--so smart and funny. He lives with a licensed rehabber--who has helped dozens if not hundreds of squirrels. They are not good pets, adorable, but not something for someone who is not 100% dedicated every day. But yes--he is exciting and you can find him on YouTube and Facebook. Thanks for coming by! xo
DeleteThis is so CUTE! Lovely drawing!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Abigail! Willow is a doll. xo
DeleteYour squirrel is darling Dea! What a fantastic work of art! Thanks for the inspiration! Happy PPF! Congrats on the feature! Yahoooo! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Mona! Yes the feature was a lovely surprise. xo
Deletewow..ur lil squirrel is lovely!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you thank you Anewdawn! Xo he's even cuter in person .
DeleteI am a bit late to arrive but nevermind :) Your squirrel drawing is amazing. But not cuter than Willow itself...Happy PPF :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Özge! I hope you visit Willow's group on FB. He's too much. Xo
DeleteAdorable painting. The video lesson was excellent Thanks. I had no idea it was Squirrel day yesterday. I take pictures on my walks of every squirrel I see. My daughter is a Squirrel person. Blessings, Janet PPF
ReplyDeleteThank you! I am trying to make quick videos that might spark a love of art for kids. And yes! Squirrel Day--can you imagine?? I love them, as you can tell. I'd love to see the pix one day. xo
DeleteHow adorable Dea, both the story and your painting.
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear about Willow's and a happy ending to the story. Great photo too.
I missed Squirrel appreciation day, but I'm appreciating your painting and post!
Happy PPF to you
Thank you so much Neesie! I called my best friend in school Neesie when I was a kid. Have not thought of it in so long--nice to now. And yes, Willow has a very happy ending. xo
Deletelovely squirrel art. have a nice weekend
ReplyDeletemuch love...
Thank you Gillena! Glad you stopped by--and hope you have a lovely Sunday. xo
DeleteI have never heard of "Squirrel Appreciation Day". They are cute little critters. I really like your style and technique! Thanks for sharing your awesome art with us!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Renee! I had never heard of that special little holiday either, but I agree with you, they are wonderful. Have a lovely Sunday! xo
DeleteJust so totally fun and free and happy! I am enjoying the videos, thanks. Also Your blog is a special place to visit and visit and visit, lots goin on!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Peggy! You just made my night. Another vid coming soon--a cute cat. Have fun! xo
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