White Ibis ~ "Tell Me More" ~ "Oh, to Fly" ~ Watercolor

This white ibis watercolor painting captures something I rarely see in bird art — curiosity directed at the viewer. "Tell Me More" shows an ibis with its head tilted, its curved orange bill catching light, its expression carrying an almost conversational intelligence. White ibises are social, curious birds, and this one seems genuinely interested in whoever is looking back.

The challenge of painting a white bird is that it's never actually white. A white ibis is a symphony of warm creams, cool shadows, reflected blues and pinks from the environment, and subtle shifts in tone that change with every angle. I used my Kissho Gansai pigments from Kyoto to build these tonal layers freehand, wet-on-wet, on archival cotton rag paper. The natural mineral pigments — oyster shell, stone, earth — give the "white" plumage a depth and warmth that flat white paint never could. Alla prima. One session. No room for overworking.

My work with birds has led to collaborations with Google's Quantum AI campus, The Langham Hotel Boston, and exhibitions at MOCA Jacksonville. What those institutions recognized — and what collectors of my Oh, to Fly! collection value — is the ability to make a familiar subject feel seen for the first time. "Tell Me More" does exactly that with the humble white ibis. At $9,200, this is one of the premier pieces in my Oh, to Fly! collection.

One of a kind. This original will never be reproduced. It brings a quiet, engaging energy to any wall — living rooms, studies, bedrooms where you want a piece that invites contemplation rather than commanding attention. 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.

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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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