White faced heron
'Her-on Duty'. 2024. V Watson original.
New Zealand white faced heron
Oil on upcycled timber, 85mm w x 400mm h x 40 mm deep. Ready to hang.
Also available to view/purchase in person at Wall to Wall Art Gallery, 112 Bridge St, Nelson, NZ.
STORY
The white faced heron is endemic to the inlet. If you're seeing them, they're very likely watching you right back! You're in their home, and they may even have hatchlings nearby, so they are right to keep an eye on your movements.
So I called this one Her-on Duty - perched upright on a log, and just watching out.
I chose a long skinny piece of timber to reflect the bird's upright 'watching' stance. The surface of the timber was prepared with several layers of primer and then a few layers of gesso before the background was painted and the bird was put on with a knife.
I adore painting shore birds, capturing the essence of an ordinary day on the Inlet, with the wildlife, the tides and the light all working in harmony as it does in nature.