A heron with an umbrella sheltering barracuda fish

2020

33cm x 28cm (approx 13″ x 11″)

Acrylic, gouache, watercolour and pastel on Arches 300gsm paper

I was reading about a type of heron that wades in shallow water, extending its wings out and around its body to create a kind of umbrella under which the tiny fish will gather thinking they’ve found some kind of shelter. As well as tricking the fish to get closer, the umbrella cuts out the glare from the sun and makes them easier for the bird to catch. This piece is about thinking you are in a safe place, but you’ve been manoeuvred there deliberately for someone to take advantage of you.
The heron is based on the Central American Agami, the fish are barracuda.

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