Curlew and Gorse

Curlew and Gorse An original, painting watercolour, crayons, inks, and gouache Size 325 x 255mm a digital file of this painting is available for self-printing for £37. Contact me today and read more about this option A much-missed voice in the countryside There are few sounds as evocative of the British countryside as the haunting, bubbling call of the curlew. But it's getting harder to hear. The Eurasian curlew is in serious trouble. It's now red-listed in the UK as a bird of high conservation concern. The days are gone when they used to nest in the fields along the Thames near to where I live. Curlew and Gorse is my celebration of this remarkable bird and a little reminder of what we stand to lose if we don't look after our wildlife. A characterful bird in a colourful landscape In this painting, a curlew strides through a landscape of rolling purple hills and bright yellow gorse. Its wonderfully long, curved bill, delicate feather markings and elegant blue legs give it a distinctive character. Above, a patterned sky echoes the bird's plumage. The vivid yellow gorse provides a cheerful contrast to the purples and blues. Wildlife art with a conservation message The curlew is much more than a beautiful bird. Its distinctive call is part of the soundscape of our countryside. Its decline is a reminder that we must not take our wildlife for granted. I hope it might also encourage people to pause, listen, and appreciate the wonderful birds we still have, and to care about keeping their voices in our landscape for generations to come.