Song of Triumph
(2013)
Subject: Robin Dimensions (inches): 22 x 20 Medium: oil on linen Description: The Robin is a bird frequently seen in every garden and park. Loved by many for its melodic cheerful song, the Robin is one of the very few birds that sing throughout the year. Of course as beautiful as their tuneful song is, it is not for our entertainment but rather a forceful statement of their territorial boundaries towards other Robins. Their song is at its strongest after Christmas when the male begins to look for a mate and establishes a very defined breeding territory. Often they will have fierce battles defending their space, this may even result in death!
This is of course not the side we see when we look at our favourite bird, the Robin red breast. We often associate it with joy or hope. Indeed the sight of a cheerful little Robin singing high on a branch on a sharp winter's day lifts our spirits and engages with our emotions. It is this reaction that I wanted to capture in my painting ‘Song of Triumph'. We often have challenges and struggles in life, just sometimes an encounter with nature gives us a glimpse of joy and a hope that things will get better.
