The Budge

This is a painting of a parakeet I had as my friend, companion and English teacher for eleven years. He eventually died of old age, but not until he gave me all the joy and love and kisses a little bird can give.

The Budge could talk, sing and fly around my house all at the same time; a blur of excited activity.

And I really like this painting... the negative space, the dynamics of the composition. I also like the contrast of a small fragile creature unpretentiously preening himself against a bold, bright background.