In Mixed Company - Ducklings by wildlife artist Carl Brenders

Mixed Company by Carl Brenders, available from Prickly Pear Galleries.

 

This is my first painting of domestic birds. When I first saw this scene on a trip in the Burgundy area of France, I was overwhelmed by the charm of this bunch of young white ducks, enjoying each other's warmth.

 

"The texture of the new, growing feathers and the down was irresistilble. In fact, it's always the challenge that stimulates me to paint: in this case, the yellowish and white colours of the duckling with the blue reflections one gets in a late afternoon light. A delight was the contrast between the white and yellowish tints of the feathers and the subtle oranges of the beaks and feet.

 

"Being a wildlife painter and not wanting to break the rules, I introduced several 'wild' animals - six insects and a toad. (red-legged locust/grasshopper, red ant, common ground beetle, lady bug, blue dragonfly, flesh fly and a common or Canadian toad.) So the little ducklings are in mixed company which of course, became the title of the piece." - Carl Brenders. 

 

Print released 2001.