Roseate Spoonbill ~ "Divine Love" ~ "Oh, to Fly" ~ Watercolor
From the Collection Oh, to Fly!
This roseate spoonbill watercolor is unlike anything else in my studio. "Divine Love" captures the impossible color of spoonbills — those vivid pinks and corals that look like they were invented rather than evolved. Roseate spoonbills are among the most visually dramatic birds in North America, and painting one was a chance to push my Gansai pigments into territory that feels almost tropical.
I worked freehand, wet-on-wet, letting the handmade pigments from Kyoto do what they do best: create color that glows from within the paper. The pinks in this painting aren't mixed on a palette — they're layered on the archival cotton rag, each wash building on the last until the luminosity feels right. The natural ingredients in Gansai pigments (oyster shells, mineral pigments, semi-precious stones) produce a warmth that synthetic paint can't touch. It's the difference between a photograph of a sunset and standing in one.
"Divine Love" is part of my Oh, to Fly! collection, which celebrates birds whose movement and presence command attention. The spoonbill's curved bill and outstretched wings create a composition that's at once elegant and surprising — not a bird you see in most watercolor collections, and that's exactly why I had to paint it.
This is an original, one-of-a-kind work. Free shipping and complimentary insurance on all originals. The painting brings bold, joyful energy to any room — it's a conversation starter on every wall.
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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.
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.
My Process
The Brushes
High-quality squirrel hair watercolor brushes allow for fluid washes and intricate details, essential to my process.
The Paint
Vibrant Gansai Tambi Japanese watercolors bring my avian portraits to life with their luminous, expressive hues.
The Technique
I fuse classical precision with the spontaneity of sumi-é to craft portraits that vibrate with life.