Roseate Spoonbill ~ "Pleased To Meet You" ~ "Oh, to Fly" ~ Watercolor

This roseate spoonbill original art captures a bird turning to acknowledge your presence. "Pleased To Meet You" shows a spoonbill in what looks like a social gesture — the head turned, the flat spoon-shaped bill catching light, the body language open and welcoming. Roseate spoonbills are gregarious birds, comfortable in groups and seemingly unbothered by observation. This one looks like it's introducing itself.

I painted this freehand on archival cotton rag paper with Kissho Gansai pigments from Kyoto. The spoonbill's pinks are unlike any other color in my palette — not the cool pink of a sunset but a warm, living pink that comes from the crustaceans in the bird's diet. The Gansai mineral pigments produce that warmth naturally, each wet-on-wet wash deepening the rose tones without pushing them toward artificial. The unique bill shape — that spatulate tip that sweeps through shallow water to feed — became the painting's focal detail.

Among my roseate spoonbill paintings in the Oh, to Fly! collection, "Pleased To Meet You" is the most personable. It's a painting that greets you when you walk into the room. The roseate spoonbill's distinctive flat bill evolved for a unique feeding technique — sweeping side-to-side through shallow water, detecting prey by touch rather than sight. That adaptation gives them their characteristic head movement and posture, and understanding the biomechanics is what lets me paint them with anatomical authenticity even in a freehand, alla prima approach.

One of a kind. Ideal for entryways, living rooms, and any space where warmth and welcome set the tone. Framing options 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.

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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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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.