Floy loves observing and painting birds. Their distinct personalities remind her of people she knows, and their interactions mirror our own experiences. Finches, juncos, titmice and chickadees share the feeder like our extended family coming together for a good meal. Scrub jays squabble like a gang of artists. As a heron glides slowly overhead, Floy thinks of a friend who’s recently died. Birds remind Floy of cycles of life and of her place in the natural world. Each of her paintings begins with an observation. Floy creates jottings in a field notebook which becomes her main resource as she develops each painting in her studio. While Floy likes to depict a bird species as accurately as possible, Floy also try’s to give their environment a loose, spontaneous feel. Two of the joys of painting are connecting with others by sharing bird stories, and hearing someone say, ‘I’ve seen that bird you painted!’ Floy hopes her work will bring new appreciation for the amazing avian world that surrounds us.