Why I Paint Chubby Birds

If you follow my work or take a look at my logo, you'll notice one thing. Birds. But these aren't your typical lean, elegant creatures. They are properly puffed-up, plump, and—let's face it—slightly annoyed balls of feathers.

How it all started: A Trip and a Gang of Sparrows

It started on a trip a few years back. I was sitting outside, and a flock of sparrows settled in a nearby bush. But these weren't just any sparrows. They were so incredibly fat and "round" that they looked more like tennis balls with brown feathers.

They sat there, puffed out, looking important, staring at the world with an expression that said: "What are you looking at? Drop the crumbs." At that moment, I realized there was an incredible dynamic and humor in their "chubbiness."

Grumpy Eyebrows as a Mirror to the Soul

Another thing my birds can't do without is grumpy eyebrows. Why? Because it's a bit of a reflection of myself. :D When I'm concentrating, when I'm painting, or when I just can't seem to mix the right color, I frown exactly like my feathered friends. It's a piece of my DNA. And further more, my eyebrows really look like two dark blocks...

The Bird Tracker in My Paintings

It's become my little secret. Even if I'm not painting a portrait of a chubby bird, there's almost always a trace of one. Sometimes he's sitting in a corner; other times there are just footprints in the paint or a birdhouse hiding in the distance.

It's my signature. My "Easter egg" for the observant viewer. So when you get a painting from me, take a close look—chances are there's a grumpy little bird peeking out at you somewhere.