This picture came from a long lasting memory I have of a particular morning when camped on the Wharton Range in New Guinea. A male Princess Stephanie’s Bird of Paradise was jumping about in the top of a large tree growing on the edge of the forest below the camp site.

The large feathers of the tail glowing deep purplish pink when caught by the light and the dazzling metallic greens and blues on the head and neck flashing as the bird moved made an indelible impression. The figure on the left hand side is a female. I saw and sketched this species on many occasions however, that first exciting image is what i have tried to convey in this painting.

Dimensions: 750 X 520 mm (29 1/2" x 20 1/2 ")
Canvas - edition of 150