Emerald Toucanet

oil on panel, 8" x 8"

This is another experimental piece, just playing around with abstract elements.  The emerald toucanet is a vibrant little toucan found in Mexico and Central America.

Oropendola

acrylic on panel, 12" x 9"

I've been fascinated by exotic birds for a few years now, and it seems I'm always finding new ones.  Here's one I stumbled across recently and, of course, I had to paint her!  The Oropendola is part of the blackbird family and native to the forests of Central and South America.  There are variations in color among them, but they all have a bright yellow tail.  The face is what I'm most drawn to, however.  How does Nature come up with these designs?  Amazing.