Green Heron ~ "Meeting Of The Minds" ~ "Oh, to Fly" ~ Watercolor

This green heron watercolor painting captures a scene you don't often see — two green herons in close conference, their heads nearly touching, as if they're sharing intelligence about the best fishing spot. "Meeting Of The Minds" is about the surprising social behavior of birds we usually think of as solitary. Green herons are small, secretive, and brilliantly colored, and seeing two together feels like witnessing a private conversation.

I worked freehand on archival cotton rag paper using Kissho Gansai pigments from Kyoto. Green heron plumage is extraordinary — deep chestnut, blue-green iridescence on the back, and a rich, complex cap that shifts color with every angle. The natural mineral pigments let me build these tonal shifts through wet-on-wet washes without muddying the luminosity. Two birds in tight composition required precision about where each began and ended, while still letting them share the space naturally.

Green herons are among the most intelligent of all herons — one of the few bird species documented using tools (dropping insects or bread on the water as fish bait). That intelligence feels present in this painting. These birds look like they're actually thinking. My training at the New York Academy of Art — decades of studying anatomy and gesture through life drawing — is what allows me to convey that intelligence through posture alone. The tilt of a head, the set of the shoulders, the direction of the gaze all communicate something specific, and getting those details right is the difference between a painting that illustrates and one that reveals. One of a kind from my Oh, to Fly! collection. This painting brings intellectual curiosity and warm, rich color to any room. Optium Museum Plexi framing available. 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.