My interest in painting wild birds began in 2019 when I started following the monthly bird count organized by the Squamish Environment Society. I was astonished and delighted to learn that over 200 bird varieties visit Squamish and Howe Sound each year. The list includes Mountain Bluebird, Western Tanager, Stellar’s Jay, Bohemian Waxwing, Northern Flicker and it goes on! Until then, I had been oblivious to the magical layering of bird life, song and colour which enriches the world around us. I quickly started to notice and recognize them on my walks and with the help of my Merlin app by Audubon Society, I’m learning to identify more and more birds by their song.

Through the paintings, I aim to reflect my own sense of surprise and revelation. The birds emerge, partially concealed from their habitat. I try to include a little of their story, their behaviour and their relationship with the environment as well as making them distinct and recognizable.

The backgrounds begin from a very emotive departure point. Remembering sounds, climate, season, colour, texture I apply paint directly and intuitively. From there the shapes of birds begin to reveal or suggest themselves. The challenge then is to find the right balance between gesture and recognizable form.

This painting approach mirrors the sense of discovery, identifying and revealing hidden elements, recognizing the barely visible and often ignored.