Framed oil painting

10 x 12 (image size) oil on board

Pondering Plover ~ Where is everybody???

This little Piping Plover was traveling alone, pausing just long enough for me to take a few pictures of him.  Tiny and cute, he stood out from all of the other birds on the beach!

Unfortunately, the Plover is on the endangered species list.  There are estimated to be only 6,500 of them remaining.  The good news is that their numbers have been increasing every year since 1999.  

I immediately took a liking to this one, and knew instantly I wanted to paint him.  He happened to be surrounded by scattered seashells, creating a composition that was so “beachy” that it looked almost contrived.  

Standing in dry sand, pausing not too far from the retreating sea, the Plover pondered, “Should I run, or should I freeze?”  Fortunately, for me he froze!

My painting entitled A Pondering Moment was a joy to paint!  I hope as you “ponder” my painting, you will be interested in learning more about the Plover and feel a connection with him!  I also hope you will feel a sense of realism, drawn to inspect the grains of sand and compelled to want to pick up a shell.  Some simplicity and touches of Impressionism soften and hopefully enhance the painting, taking it from a mere rendering to something a little more creative.