In recent years I have been thinking about "Hope" and how fragile it is and how to hold on to it when it becomes fleeting.  I tried to picture what would represent the idea of Hope best and the first thing that came to mind was a small precious tiny little blue bird.

I changed my background from dark brown to black and incorporated black and grey branches as the setting for the little birds. Placing Hope in a dark unstable world.

Thinking about how much wildlife gives me hope made it impossible to stop at birds. I’m also making other species. With COVID-19’s arrival, it felt so much more urgent for me to paint this series as I struggle to stay optimistic. I hope that in some way when one looks at a little blue bird in the painting, it will give them something to hold on to and keep going. 

(The birds are 100% based on existing real-life birds that I painted blue.)