Hummingbird Oil Paintings

"Human babies are only tiny for an instant--their growing up is as swift as the beat of a hummingbird's wings."

 Kelly Barnhill, The Girl Who Drank the Moon

These paintings are life size, tiny hummingbirds. I have always loved watching the hummingbirds outside my window, anticipating their arrival each year, and feeding them throughout the summer. While reading Kelly Barnhill's book, The Girl Who Drank the Moon, this quote stood out to me and inspired this collection of paintings. Hummingbirds are a reminder to live in the present and to savor life's sweet moments. Time flies so quickly, and I created these paintings as a reminder to slow down and appreciate the time of life you are in. 

My grandmother used to say that sewing doll clothes took as long as sewing real clothes. It seems that this is true with tiny paintings as well! These paintings started as a birch panel, which I hand cut, sanded, and gessoed until each tiny hummingbird panel was complete. I then used oil paint, and finished them each off with varnish, gold painted edges, a painted and signed back, and hanging hardware. These paintings are so versatile in how they can be displayed. Each painting comes with a signed certificate of authenticity and are roughly 3 inches in length.  Please look at the size comparison in the photos with a quarter and penny.