Under a grey lowering sky two graceful Tundra Swans (a.k.a. Whistling Swans) seek the protection of tall sheltering reeds where they will safely nestle together till the storm passes.

This watercolor is done in the greyed or "grayed" colors of the northwest marshlands. No place looks greyer than where Ilive in Washington State when it rains. There are colors but all are softened and grayed down. Especially when we have a gray rainy day.

When I first moved to the eastern half of Washington State I didn't notice the colors, they seemed too subtle compared with the bright greens of the Pacific coast forests. But now that I am able to truly see the muted tones found here and appreciate how lovely they are, I enjoy painting them.. It's a challenge to paint in this way too.