The Color Waltz

Sometimes inspiration begins with a laugh.

While vacationing with two close friends (not originally from the East Coast), we spotted one of the Lowcountry's most iconic birds. Having never seen one before, they excitedly declared it a "prehistoric bird." From that moment on, I could never look at a Great Blue Heron without smiling.

Years later, I found myself inspired by a painting featuring two herons whose graceful composition stayed with me long after I'd seen it. Rather than recreating it, I wanted to reimagine the subject in a way that reflected my own artistic voice—filled with expressive brushwork, vibrant color, and the joyful energy that has become the heart of my work.

I titled it The Color Waltz because the birds seem less like wildlife and more like dancers. Their sweeping forms move together in quiet harmony while color takes the lead, transforming a familiar marsh scene into something playful, bold, and alive.

Every painting begins with inspiration. The joy is discovering your own voice along the way.