Sandhill Crane ~ "Ascend" ~ "Oh, to Fly" ~ Watercolor

This sandhill crane watercolor painting captures the most powerful moment in a crane's repertoire — the instant of ascent, when a bird that weighs ten pounds and stands four feet tall defies every reasonable expectation and lifts itself skyward. "Ascend" is about that defiance. The sheer improbability of a creature this large achieving flight, and the grace with which it does it.

Sandhill cranes are among the oldest bird species on earth — their fossil record stretches back millions of years. I wanted this painting to carry that weight of time. I worked freehand on archival cotton rag paper with Kissho Gansai pigments from Kyoto, building the warm grays and russet tones of the sandhill's plumage through wet-on-wet washes that let the natural mineral pigments settle and shift on their own. The red crown — a flash of intensity against the softer body — became the painting's focal point. Alla prima, one session, no corrections.

My classical training at the New York Academy of Art is what makes this possible. Painting a crane in motion — capturing the torque of the body, the angle of the wings, the forward thrust of the neck — requires anatomical understanding that goes deeper than reference photos. I've spent 30+ years in life drawing, studying how bodies move through space. That discipline lives in every brushstroke here. At $9,200, this is among the most commanding pieces in my Oh, to Fly! collection. My work has been collected by Google's Quantum AI campus, The Langham Hotel Boston, and MOCA Jacksonville — institutions that seek art with genuine presence and staying power.

One of a kind. This original from my Oh, to Fly! collection exists once and cannot be reproduced. Ideal for collectors who want a statement piece with deep natural history resonance. Optium Museum Plexi framing, 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.

Additional questions? Please see the FAQ

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.

International: For international shipping, please contact us directly before ordering. Provide the items you are interested in and your shipping address so we can estimate the cost and any constraints.

Insurance: We provide complimentary shipping insurance for all orders. In the event that your item arrives damaged, please document it with pictures and notify us immediately so we can initiate a claim on your behalf.