catbirds

                                6x10

                                 7x11

A good number of catbirds in the yard this summer, which suits me just fine: they're beautiful and I love their song.

Such an elegant bird but I haven't painted them much. To me these are both a little overpainted--I kept trying to get it "right," whatever that is!

I think I would like more direct, and wetter, washes ... The catbird has such a recognizable silhouette and such simple colorings and markings, there is probably more room to let the washes run wild.