Female Junco and Companion

(Black-eyed Juncos, Oregon)

I painted this female Dark-eyed Junco first with her solid grip on an Amanita mushroom that I found and photographed years ago along the California coast. I love the bird’s subtle grays and browns. When I posted her to my gallery, I thought, “Looks great but maybe she’s a bit forlorn all by herself.” (You never see one Junco at a time.)

So I painted her companion, a male Dark-eyed Junco, of course, and arranged them side by side. If the female was simply enjoying a moment of peaceful solitude and sunshine, I apologize, for the interuption.

At least they each have their own canvas.