Dec 26, 2016 @ 06:00
I’ve meant to paint a Hadeda Ibis since moving to South Africa. Everyone considers them a nuisance, with their habit of squawking up a storm when they are flushed (hence the common joke that they are afraid of flying). But, if you actually take the time out to look at one, they have the most beautiful iridescence to their feathers varying in colors from all over the spectrum. So I set out to get sufficient photo references to start a painting of our infamous avian neighbors. The iridescence is much more visible on outstretched wings, and therefore I need pictures of the birds in flight. This has resulted in me chasing Hadedas all over Krugersdorp, much to the amusement of onlookers I’m sure. I have snapped quite a few shots, and couldn’t make up my mind on exactly what composition I wanted, so I started two paintings.
