Taft-Nicholson Environmental Humanities Center Art Residency

My first ever look at a Yellow-headed Blackbird was in Montana on a cross-country cycle adventure in 2018. We had just emerged from the eastern side of the northern Rockies, beginning the long push through the northern plains of the big-sky state.

A lifer! And I met it again in Centennial Valley! It became the first bird painting during this residency.

I allowed myself to get lost in the glossy black feather groups as I tried to balance a sense of looseness with the medium of watercolor while capturing a bit of dimension using light.

The warm, bright yellow on the head is no joke. Once you spot this bird, you’ll agree.

Yellow-headed Blackbird
Watercolor
8x12” (unframed)