Eastern Bluebird
A shameless little bluebird helped me create this painting. One morning, I watched him through the window as he repeatedly raided a hanging basket I’d left up all winter. He’d land on the rim, yank straw, grass, and dead leaves out of the liner like he was on a mission, then fly off with a beak-full of “loot” to build his nest. A few minutes later he’d be back for more, happily shredding what was left. I couldn’t NOT paint him.

“The Basket Thief” is a miniature varnished watercolor that captures that moment of pure mischief and determination. I painted this Eastern bluebird in rich, tube-fresh color—the cobalt blues and warm rusts you see are as vibrant as they came out of their tubes. Because the watercolor is sealed with archival varnish, it doesn’t need to hide behind glass, which lets the color glow without reflections getting in the way, and those rich colors won't fade.

This original is framed in a gold‑brushed, sustainable wood molding that suits both traditional and contemporary spaces. The subtly ornate frame has a soft, brushed sheen—elegant without being fussy—and its warm gold tone picks up the bird’s rusty chest and the earthy nest materials. The outer dimensions are approximately 7 x 7 inches, a perfect “small but mighty” size for:

Tucking onto a bookshelf or side table
Adding a story-filled accent to a gallery wall
Brightening a home office or kitchen corner where you’ll see it often
Because it’s a varnished watercolor, you can confidently display it on a table easel or hang it on the wall—either way, it feels like a tiny window into backyard life. This piece is for bird lovers, gardeners, and anyone who smiles at nature’s little rule-breakers. It’s a reminder that even a neglected hanging basket can become prime real estate for a clever bluebird with big plans.

If you’ve ever looked out the window and caught a bird in the middle of its own home-improvement project, this painting was made for you.