#Ballads of Remex

[virginiagreene]

Summer had settled in early this year. The stones beside the creek held their heat into the evenings, and the first cicadas were beginning to stir. The shade among the new leaves, blessedly, was still tinged with the coolness of spring. It certainly made a fine place to take a break from training. Teka landed first and shook out her Keeper’s robes, the dangling Soothstones clicking against one another. Weet landed beside her, and Teka immediately began rearranging her daughter’s mussed crest. "Ma, I don't need--" "Shhh, it'll be just a moment, and you'll be much more put together." Weet swallowed the rest of her protest and lifted her feathers, letting herself feel like a fledgling again. She had spent the winter and most of the spring refining her Breaking abilities further up the mountains of Remex, with her chosen band of Hunters. The time had gone by in a flash to her, but things moved a little more slowly back home in the Valley. Up there she was becoming a formidable warrior--but here she would always be little bit of a fuzz-browed baby. Teka sang softly as she put Weet’s feathers aright--the same lullabies she’d sung when Weet was still in her egg. Weet relaxed into her mother’s side, listening to her voice. No Sooth in these songs, but powerful nonetheless. No reasonable hen expected her chicks to stay nearby forever--and indeed, might drive them off if they tried--but Weet knew Teka had missed her. Sitting there beside her mother, Weet remembered her first season of life among these trees, and all the lessons Teka had imparted--being careful of predators, being selective of suitors, being always willing to listen--and realized how much she’d missed her mother, too. The summer day was warm, and the cicadas began to call.

--- Happy Mother's Day to my amazing Mom--I love you so much!!

[snailkites]

Inktober Day 6: Sword

A Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera) with a rapier!

Inspired by @virginiagreene‘s “Ballads of Remex”

[virginiagreene]

Hey folks! Almost everything I'm doing at work right now is animation for an exciting new Bird Academy project, and isn't quite viewable yet... But I can show you this Ballads-of-Remex style private commission I did earlier this summer! The client asked for an illustration of her pet blue-naped mousebird Django, about to head out on an adventure! Django's favorite foods include blueberries, so I thought she'd be prepared accordingly with plenty of snacks. :)

If you are interested in a private commission, I will be opening them up after my internship at the Lab of O ends--stay tuned!

[virginiagreene]

Storytime The evening was unseasonably cool. Above the stars shone brightly, as though the earlier storms had been illusions. The lingering damp was no illusion, however. Loo fluffed his feathers over his daughters gently. Ruta, his mate, would be taking over later than usual tonight--her duties as a healer often kept her, what with the tail end of this season's Wars. Loo didn't mind. After a wild youth in the Wars himself, he was content to spend this evening waiting for her, nestled into the loose ring of sticks that served as their nursery.

It was unseasonably cool, he thought again, and unusually bright. Loo tilted his head back and marveled at the full moon idly, his mind wandering back in time. That night, when he and Ruta met--the night the Owl came. So long ago...

"Da?"

Loo blinked and glanced down. Two pairs of eyes, wide-awake and glittering, peered back at him.

"Meela, Meera--you young hens should be asleep! The sun is long set, and your mother will not be happy to find you still awa-"

"Da, would you tell us a story?"

"A story!! The story of the Owl!!"

Loo sighed and wondered, not for the first time, if his children were somehow mind-readers. "You two know that story well enough that you can tell it back to me..." But his protest petered out as he realized two things. One, his stubborn girls weren't sleeping anytime soon. Two, he would tell them this story more times than there were stars in the sky, if it made them happy.

He sighed again. "Very well...but then you must sleep!"

The twins peeped softly in triumph, leaned into their father's breast feathers, and listened.

"On a bright evening like this one--but colder--many cycles ago, I lost a bet to your Uncle Urruru--you remember, the nightjar..."

---

A new Ballads of Remex story! Those of you who have been following for awhile will probably recognize our main character...

$1+ per month Patrons got to read this last week, along with getting other extra goodies and being my favorite internet people! Check it out if you’re interested: https://www.patreon.com/virginiagreene

[virginiagreene]

“MA! MA!!!” Fritii snapped out of her doze, startled. Between the warmth of her six nestlings, her grandmothers’ quilts, and the spring sun streaming in through the knothole, it had been near impossible to stay awake. Her little ones were sleeping--finally, after emptying all of the nearby caches--and her exhaustion had finally overtaken her. “MA!!!!!”

She recognized her son’s approaching voice, and relaxed slightly. Only slightly, however--Peter recently had been developing a lot of hare-brained ideas about starting a delivery business with that goose friend of his. Which would mean hiring Hunters. Which made her uneasy. Her boy had promise as a Soothsinger, but was only fledged a year ago, and had much to learn about the world. She prayed the business fantasies remained just that. A flutter of grey feathers in the entryway settled themselves into the familiar shape of Reet, her mate. Fritii lifted her feathers in affection as he moved into the nest, holding something in his bill.

“MA!!” A second flurry of grey feathers obscured the cavity’s entrance as Peter landed beside his father. “MA! Pa and I got you--a beetle bun! The first one of the year!!”

Fritii raised her crest in pleased surprise. “A beetle bun, darling?” She hadn’t had her favorite treat--crunchy and nutty on the outside, soft and juicy in the middle--since last year’s beetle harvest.

“YEAH!!” Peter raised every feather on his body until he looked almost perfectly round. “The baker migrated back two days ago--we got in before even the bluebirds!” Reet stepped into the cavity with the bun, still steaming. “A little quieter, Peter,” he said softly. “Your little siblings are sleeping.” He leaned in, setting the bun on the edge of the nest, and gave Fritii’s brow a brief, affectionate touch of his bill. “Why don’t you go visit some of the caches for your mother? Only come back with your crop full!”

Peter's eyes lit up. “Okay!” In a moment he was gone, and blessed quiet filled their nest cavity.

Fritii closed her eyes and lowered her crest. “Thank you, brightheart,” she whispered. “Peter is a good fledgling, but also a loud fledgling.” None of the nestlings had awoken, mercifully. “It’s likely Bronk’s influence,” Reet said good-naturedly, and nudged the bun, steam rising from it temptingly, towards her. “Enjoy, love. You deserve it and more.”

---

Happy Mothers’ Day, everyone! Bring your mom a beetle bun--she’ll love it! (Fun fact: tufted titmice sometimes do hang around for a year to be “helpers” with their parents’ next breeding season! They do not exchange currency for insect-filled pastries, however.)

[virginiagreene]

Pyew pyew

Practice break!

[virginiagreene]

Quick ink doodle for yesterday's drawing using the random Faber-Castell PITT pens I have been hoarding for years. For interested folks, I am posting ink drawings (which will be mostly Ballads of Remex!) to my Patreon a day early (for all levels of support). They will all end up here too though! :) #ink #inktober #sunset #playing #materialsexperiment #doodle https://www.instagram.com/p/CGBimlEDXk9/?igshid=1xc7pcq9bjna9

[virginiagreene]

It was at that moment Deedle had his first realization about adulthood: he had gotten himself into this situation, and no one was coming to rescue him. He would have to get out of it on his own. --- Want more Ballads of Remex? Tomorrow's Inktober is posted today for $2+ Patrons on Patreon and I am especially proud of it! :) Thanks to those of you who have joined me so far!!! I hope you're enjoying your early access. <3 #inktober2019 #inktober #art #illustration #deedle #easternbluebird #raccoon #opportunisticpredator #ificangrabsitieatsit #bird #ink #artist #BalladsofRemex #story #storytelling (at Charlottesville, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3LkcPVD9rr/?igshid=ini4nwvxulc3

[virginiagreene]

Want to own a Ballads of Remex original? Come to #ARTCHO at IX Art Park on November 2 in Charlottesville! Here are a few of the pieces I'll be selling (though they'll have frames by then)--I will add more as I finish more! :) I will be including the stories that go with them, as well. If you don't live in Charlottesville, fear not--I will be posting anything that doesn't sell afterward on my website. Hope to see you there--more info about ARTCHO as we approach it! #art #artforsale #illustration #BalladsofRemex #originals #ink #inktober #storytelling orytelling (at Charlottesville, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3wpW1IDf2P/?igshid=1tc9h92aqm5b6

[virginiagreene]

ART FOR SALE! More self-indulgent acrylic memoirs soon, but real quick: I am selling some stuff ahead of moving! These are all framed prints from my show at VADM, some from Ranger Rick, some from Ballads of Remex, some prints of greeting cards and other miscellany. All are kid-friendly (no glass). Please swipe for prices and details, and let me know if you're interested in seeing any of these a little better! Thanks, all, for your support! <3 #art #artforsale #framedprints #sale #movingsale #getridofthisstuff #illustration #birds #mammals #balladsofremex #framed #rangerrickjr https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx2mAOXFqjo/?igshid=1jvp6dzwnorx1

[virginiagreene]

Ballads of Remex stickers should get here TOMORROW!!! I can't wait to see them in person, and shamelessly slap one on my laptop. Brumby obvs. Thank you, October Patrons, for helping me make these happen! I'll mail them to you all the week after Thanksgiving. :) I will have a few extra sheets after all of the rewards are sent out--let me know (via e-mail plz) if you are interested in buying one! There will be a discount if you sign up to become a Patron (link in bio)--first come, first serve. :) #stickers #balladsofremex #art #illustration #birds #patronreward #patreon #inktober #ink #excite https://www.instagram.com/p/BqYATnYhiKW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=c9k2e6ss242k

[virginiagreene]

Hey, wonderful folks! I am doing something I've never done before and putting up a few original Ballads of Remex pieces for sale! (And a few Febirdaries.) Top row: $400 (Aja's Ant Farm and Battle Rikrikii) Middle: $300 (Autumn, The Secret, and Peter's Siblings) Bottom is $200 (various Febirdaries) Each will be signed, if it is not already, and accompanied by the story/poem that it was posted with originally, hand-written by yours truly. They are all between ~4.5x6" (larger ones) and ~4x4" (smaller ones), and are all various types of ink or ink + mixed media. Please e-mail me on if you are interested in any of them! Thanks to all of you for following me this year--lots of fun stuff in store for next year! :) #art #artforsale #originals #Febirdary #balladsofremex #ink #inktober #inktobirds #bird #birdart #mixedmedia #watercolor #clearingsomespace #christmassale #holidaysale (at Charlottesville, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Brf9UEVh8S7/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1whuwbumawchn

[virginiagreene]

Ballads of Remex characters ready to be turned into stickers!!! There are a few more days of inktober left--who do YOU want to see as a sticker? BoR stickers are a special thank you to my $5+ Patrons this month--see the link in my profile if you're interested! Thank YOU no matter what for following me and supporting my work that way, too! <3 #patreon #stickers #thankyou #inktober (at Charlottesville, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpXC65ihUJr/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1pxlqbqroifu6

[virginiagreene]

Inktober has officially ended, with this spooky Crow and his gourds!! I have a few more pieces from Ballads of Remex to show you though, so stay tuned! <3 I hope you've been enjoying them this year. :) #crow #punkin #halloween #inkonpumpkin #inktober #art #gourd #pumpkin #yum #spooky https://www.instagram.com/p/BpnsW5dBDFK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=12bsnfn8cxqch

[virginiagreene]

The leaves are turning, the nights are cool, the birds are either beginning the business of preparing for winter, or getting going on their long journeys for warmer climes. It's fall. More than fall, though--tomorrow is the first day of October. Artists all around the world are getting their inks out in anticipation for... Inktober 2018.

Two years ago today, I started a silly little project about birds who cast spells via singing. Today, we'll return to those sleepy blue mountains, green valleys, and slow-moving rivers, as Inktober begins, and my pen sings the Ballads of Remex once more.

I wanted to do something a little special to celebrate BoR's second birthday--and to thank everyone who's been supporting me those last two years.

So, this year, if you are (or become) a $5+ Patron for the month of October...

I will mail you a set of limited edition Ballads of Remex stickers, featuring your favorite BoR characters!!!

To go on your laptop, water bottle, cat, face, whatever you want. Later this month I'll hold a poll to see which characters you want to see sticker'd, and the best inks from this year will be candidates as well.

I will be printing a limited run of these stickers. Once October ends, they're gone. If you're not a $5+ Patron yet, consider becoming one today (link below) to get a set!

https://www.patreon.com/virginiagreene

If you're already a Patron--thank you. I would not have been able to make it this year without your support. <3 So, ALL Patrons will see each of this year's Inktobers a day before the rest of the internet. :)

You can also view the stories (and past stories--archives being updated intermittently) at...

www.balladsofremex.com

Thanks, all--I hope you enjoy this season of The Ballads of Remex!

<3,

VG