White-breasted Nuthatch ~ "Songbirds & Friends" ~ Watercolor blue The botanical elements grew organically

The botanical elements grew organically around the birds during the painting session — I don't pre-plan compositions

With my signature freehand technique

Great blue herons can stand motionless for twenty minutes or more

body facing forward

"Summer Joy" captures a pair of American goldfinches at their most vibrant — that electric yellow they wear from May through September

White-breasted Nuthatch ~ "Songbirds & Friends" ~ Watercolor blue The botanical elements grew organicallyThis white breasted nuthatch watercolor captures the bird that walks upside down. Nuthatches are the only songbirds that routinely descend tree trunks headfirst a skill that gives them access to insects other birds miss. There's something delightfully contrary about a bird that looks at a tree and decides to go down instead of up. This painting catches that headfirst perspective. I painted this freehand on archival cotton rag paper with Kissho Gansai