Mangrove Morning - Roseate Spoonbills

The roseate spoonbill has perhaps the most awkward face in the bird world. At the same time, its form and plumage are extremely elegant - some would say pretty. This painting is loosely based on a scene I witnessed in the Everglades one beautiful Easter morning; I rearranged it, however, to created the feeling of an oriental tapestry. I wanted to give an effect similar to old shot silk. I played with the colours so that they would be somewhat tropical and lavish, perhaps reminiscent of a Gaugin painting.