My Gansai watercolors danced across the paper, bringing to life the memory of that vibrant yellowthroat we spotted during our Lost River hike in the summer of 2023.

Picture this: a dapper little fellow, all olive back and sunshine feathers, perched regally on a wildflower stem. He seemed to own the meadow, surveying his kingdom with that beady black eye.

But the scene wasn’t all blue skies and blossoms. There was a whisper of change in the air, a sense of the weather turning its capricious head. In the background, the sky hinted at drama – a swirl of greys and blues brewing on the horizon. Maybe a sprinkle was on the way, maybe a downpour, but whatever it was, it painted the scene with a touch of suspense, like the curtain rising on a wildflower ballet.

And there he was, our little yellow-throated maestro, caught in the moment. The wind teased his feathers, his tiny claws gripped the stem like a ship’s anchor in a brewing storm. It was a tableau of nature’s delicate balance, beauty poised on the edge of change.

That’s what I tried to capture with my brushstrokes. The playful splash of the wildflowers, the bold black mask of the warbler, the simmering tension in the sky – it all flowed onto the paper in a dance of color. Now, whenever I look this little painting, I’m transported back to that Lost River walk, the scent of damp earth and wind-tossed wildflowers filling my senses, the anticipation of an impending storm dancing in the air. And there, in the heart of it all, our tiny yellow-throated friend, a perfect splash of sunshine against the gathering greys.

So, that’s the story of my warbler painting, not just a picture, but a portal to a memory, a moment in time preserved with watercolors and a dash of nature’s magic.

If you are interested in purchasing this this original 5×7 painting, contact me for information on where it is on display at the time.