Birded Collection

Original hand painted works on canvas

a unique, limited collection of original paintings

nine new works on custom-built canvases, now available for purchase

“Myth of the Ibis” 18”x 32” original acrylic on canvas

Have you ever seen a curved bill like this? Between the curve of the bill and the sweep of the neck, I’m smitten.

But apparently, I’m not the only one.

THE MYTH OF THE WHITE IBIS

A prince transforms into an Ibis to escape what he believed was treachery in his palace. Hidden high in the trees in the palace gardens, he could peer back into the window where the council met.

“Roseate Salute” 24” x36” original acrylic on canvas

THE OTHER PINK BIRD

It was time. I knew that I had to include a shock-o-pink bird in this collection of paintings and the Roseate Spoonbill made the cut.

Some months ago we took a homeschool trip down through the bayou to see our local ecosystem up close. It was beautiful. Besides the fact that we had a Cajun named Boudreaux navigating our pontoon through the Tupelos, it was late April and the spoonbills were nesting in the nearby treetops.

“Jeweled Pair” or, “The Bridge That Brings Us Together”
18” x24” original acrylic painting on canvas

These two almost didn’t make it to the party. I started on this piece fairly early in the collection and then laid it aside. The Wood Duck pair just didn’t seem to want to come together.

I didn’t want to barrel through and come out with something less than excellent, so I put it to the back of the line and told them (the ducks,) that we would try again later.

“Striker” 16”x 20” original acrylic on canvas

Poised to strike, this Green Heron is the most elegant of acrobatic hunters.

Did you know that a bird can balance like this? It’s like this guy found a branch that would act as a springboard, launching him toward his target when the timing is just right. The light catches the green on the top of his head and bounces off the side, accentuating the undertones of rich maroon.

“At the Mouth of the River” 50”x 24” original acrylic on canvas

Who knew what kind of riches were buried beneath all that mud? Proportionally there is an epic sweep in the width of the canvas, leaving plenty of space for this pelican to show off all the treasure he carries.

Meet the Birded collection.

It was hard to choose which feathered beauties were going to make the cut, but constructing these custom canvases and sketching out each bird it was clear that there were a handful that were already natural works of art.

From the Snowy Egret to the Green Heron, over-sized pelicans and the fantastic Roseate Spoonbill. It’s hard to say which of these birds is the most glorious.

“Native Snow” 24” x 24” original acrylic on canvas

SNOW BIRD OF THE DEEP SOUTH

It’s as if the Snowy Egret knows how gorgeous it is. Wouldn’t you love that kind of confidence? The way those feathers float so easily on the slightest breeze gives this bird the most ethereal appearance.

“Sufficient,” 36” x36” original acrylic on canvas

SEASIDE TALES

There are a handful of photographs I’ve seen that show pelicans mid-catch, many with a whole mouthful of small fish, his huge pouch overflowing with provision. But then I saw one that— like this painting, the fish was so huge that it stretched the back of his neck. I don’t know

“Legendary Love” 36” x36” original acrylic on canvas

Growing up in Louisiana I was quite young when I noticed the state flag standing proudly in the corner of the cafeteria, and wondered aloud what that bird was doing. Why is she bleeding? (And what a thing to choose for a flag!)

Apparently, there is a legend that dates back millennia, found in illuminated manuscripts of real and imagined animals tied to Christian allegories, and the story of the sacrificial pelican is one of these.

“Say the Word" 10”x 16” original acrylic on canvas

This summer was the first that the girls went away to camp.
For hours we drove, through sugarcane fields and corn growing in the country and saw dozens upon dozens of Red-Winged Blackbirds in the fields we passed.

I knew the kids would have an amazing time away—leaving them for their first week away was more a deep breath for me than for them.

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as well as a peek at some of the pieces in progress.