Fledgling Cedar Waxwing ~ "Little Wonders" ~ Watercolor

This cedar waxwing watercolor painting captures a young waxwing just out of the nest — still streaky, still a bit fuzzy, already carrying the elegant shape that will make it one of the most beautiful birds in North America. Adult cedar waxwings are sleek and polished, with waxy red wing tips, a black mask, and a lemon-yellow tail band. This fledgling has all of that in preview — the mask is there, the crest is forming, the personality is emerging.

I painted this freehand on archival cotton rag paper with Kissho Gansai pigments from Kyoto. The fledgling's soft, streaked plumage required a gentler touch than adult birds — warm browns and grays blending through wet-on-wet mineral pigment washes, with less definition and more warmth. Youth in a painting means softness, and this bird is all soft edges and big eyes.

The most accessible original in my Little Wonders collection. A perfect first original for bird lovers, a meaningful gift, or a gentle start to an art collection. One of a kind. Free shipping, complimentary insurance, and certificate of authenticity included.

Materials:  Each watercolor original is unique, the only one of its kind. Created on 300lb Arches Watercolor Paper with Japanese Sumi-é watercolor paint designed to last a lifetime.

Framing: Each piece is elegantly presented with light grey matting in a handmade wooden frame with a grey-washed finish. UV plexiglass and archival materials ensure long-lasting preservation. Crafted with care, our frames are 1.5" deep and handcrafted from solid wood by our trusted local framer.

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Cost: Shipping is FREE for all original works up to approx. 30x40". For large artwork, we cover the first $500 in shipping costs; please email us your zip code for a quote.

Packaging: All originals are shipped flat (not rolled). For work larger than 30x40", though our boxes are plastic-reinforced, you have a choice of wood crating to ensure safe transport for an additional fee.

Schedule: Unframed work ships within 1-2 weeks, while framed pieces require 2-3 weeks for delivery. Crated and oversized works may take 4-6 weeks. If your order is time-sensitive, please leave us a note during checkout and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

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