BLUE & GOLD

This was a dramatic almost abstract composition, or at least that what I considered when first researching and establishing this acrylic painting. Simply painting a standard portrait of a gold and blue macaw didn't feel right, however if I cropped the head and then focused on the facial feathers, nose, beak and the single eye something seemed to happen. Remember, this is a colorful bird so as I worked on the composition I was able to exploit the almost iridescent feathers together with the use of light and shade. The combination of the various textures also helped to create a three dimensional look with the birds hard beak nestled within the softness of the feathers a perfect example. Somehow it seemed to work, and no it wasn't really an abstract work, but I guess it gives that impression.

ABOUT THE SPECIES

Like most macaw species the Blue and Gold (Ara ararauna) is a large bird and a member of the parrot family native to the humid forest of South America. It's widely distributed throughout it's range which covers Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. As well as inhabiting the regions rainforests it's also found in open sections of terra firma or unflooded forest, and woodland of tropical South America. As it's name suggests this macaw is basically blue and gold with a naked white face lined with small black feathers and a black beak. Generally these macaws will mate for life with the hen or female laying two to three eggs with the young leaving the nest in about 97 days after hatching. Although the species is on the verge of being extirpated in Paraguay it still remains widespread and fairly common in large parts of it's range and therefore listed as being of least concern.