0705 Bullfinches on Ash Twigs

Artist Code: 0705. Completed May 2007. Original SOLD. Water colour on Aquarelle Arches 100% hot pressed cotton rag. Unframed size 12″ x 16″. Framed size 22” x 18”. 

SOLD  to private Collector, May 2010.

When I painted this picture in May 2007, these two lovely birds were regular visitors to my little wild garden, and especially in winter, they really brightened the day. But then developers tore down all the trees and hedges in 2008 and built houses right behind us, and sadly I have not seen the bullfinches since (still none in 2016). The ash twigs were drawn from live branches of trees down the road.

Poem:

With beady eye and cheeky stance,
A bullfinch needs a second glance
With breast of salmon pinky red,
And inky black cap on his head.
In bulging ash buds black as coal,
A mate would make his life so whole
Beneath the loud and raucous male,
In gentler vest, the lady pale
On twigs below seems unperturbed,
by antics up above, absurd!
She waits so patiently and calm,
And hopes he doesn’t come to harm.