Rose Tanner’s oil paintings can are homage to birds. With an estimated 10k species of birds around the world, she’s got her work cut out for her. “Birds sing, dance, fight, court, breed, and fly,” Tanner notes on her website. “They claim territory, pair for life, play the field and fool around. They hold funerals, have socials, eat fermented berries and perform mating rituals that leave us baffled. The subject matter is endless!”
Her paintings are based on careful studies, and Tanner often travels in order to find new subjects for her work. “My work is about those moments in nature that show the story, emotion or character of a bird,” she says. “Watching birds in the wild has taught me absolute respect for the diversity on this planet.”
Her paintings also allow her to give back to nature, and Tanner notes that she’s an active supporter of preserving endangered birds and their habitat. “My goal is for the viewer to connect with the playful, human side of birds,” she told Artsy Shark, “to see into their eyes and realize there is so much more than expected.”
Her artwork might just motivate you to spend more time outdoors. It also acts as a reminder to look upward every once in a while.
