Perched on a wind-blown jetty, taking a break from navigating the cold Atlantic surf, the striking beauty of this male Harlequin Duck hides the toughness needed to survive in this unforgiving environment. Built for turbulent coastal waters, this small sea duck thrives where waves crash and currents run strong.

I’ve always admired their resilience and bold patterning - they’re one of my favorite ducks to observe and paint. This piece captures a rare moment of stillness between journeys through the breakers.