American Goldfinch, Monkshood, Buttercup ~ "Golden Guardians" ~ "Songbirds & Friends" ~ Watercolor

Nothing in the summer field is more golden than a male American Goldfinch in full color -- that bright lemon-yellow body, the black cap and wings, the bouncing flight and the cheerful po-ta-to-chip call as he goes. I painted a pair of them here as the keepers of their patch of meadow, watching over the buttercups below and the deep violet hoods of the monkshood standing tall behind.

The color story is the whole thing: gold against blue-violet, with the buttercup echoing the birds in miniature. Goldfinches nest later than almost any songbird, waiting for the seed and down of high summer, so to me they have always belonged to the fullest, ripest part of the season. I worked it wet-on-wet, in layers, with no drawing first, keeping the yellows clean and luminous so the birds truly glow.

An original watercolor on paper, one of a kind. 'Golden Guardians' -- two small sentinels keeping watch over a field at its peak.

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.