It’s not the season for bird eggs, but this piece is a gift for my cousin in celebration of her newest grandchildren. Twin boys joined two sisters to create a lovely clutch of four. I love the idea of having a piece of art that honors each child and all their potential.

Tips and Techniques– Sometimes you find a perfect reference nest when doing a painting like this. But many times you have to take some creative license in weaving it all together. I borrowed pieces from several robin’s nests to build this piece—strong light and shadow from one, four eggs from another, and a stem of tiny flowers tucked into third. I started with an ink sketch, and then added watercolor, building up the color and values in multiple layers. There are so many small decisions to be made along the way that I find I need to take frequent breaks. Stepping away and coming back over the course of several days is not unlike the way a bird builds its nest, and gives me a chance to see the whole thing more clearly.