With the holidays approaching, it seems fitting to paint one of the season’s most symbolic birds, the cardinal. The idea for this painting sprang from a sweet Ellgrave antique teapot I saw on Instagram on @GlyndasVintageShop. The cream-colored teapot had gold embellishments that seemed very cheerful, and I instantly thought that a bright, red cardinal perched on top would add a nice touch. I also love surrealistic and fantastical paintings, where wild creatures appear in the human world, so planned my composition. I wonder when I conceived it (and wonder still) why the cardinal came to tea. He appears like an insistent little messenger. Perhaps, as it is rumored, he brings news of a deceased loved one. I may write a story about him at some point, but, in the meantime, am enjoying this little painting until it finds a new forever home.
- “The Cardinal Came to Tea”
- 8 X 8 inches
- Mixed media casein and watercolor on a canvas panel
- Currently available in the Lori DeBoer Designs Etsy shop.
