Great Blue Heron: Follow Me ~ "Oh, to Fly" ~ Watercolor

This great blue heron watercolor is one of the largest and most commanding paintings in my Oh, to Fly! collection. "Follow Me" captures a heron in full stride — that deliberate, unhurried walk through shallow water that makes these birds look like they own every inch of the marsh. Great blue herons carry themselves with a quiet authority I never tire of painting.

I created this piece alla prima, freehand, in a single session using handmade Gansai pigments from Kyoto. The blue-gray of the heron's plumage is built through layered wet-on-wet washes that let the natural pigments create depth and movement on their own. The Kyoto pigments are made from natural ingredients — oyster shells, semi-precious stones — and they produce tones that synthetic watercolors simply cannot replicate.

At this scale, the painting commands serious wall space. It's the kind of piece that anchors a room — a living room, a study, an entryway where you want something that stops conversation. The heron's posture has a forward momentum that draws you in. You follow where it leads.

This is an original, one-of-a-kind work on archival cotton rag paper. Free shipping and complimentary insurance are included. Multiple sizes and framing options are available. As an original, this painting will never be duplicated — each brushstroke is unrepeatable. Prints of select Oh, to Fly! works are available separately for those who love the collection at a different price point.

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.