Surf-Scoter 1913

Archibald Thorburn made this watercolor painting of two surf scoters sometime around 1912. The waves! You can almost feel the chilly water splashing up as it hits the rocks. And the light in the sky, that peachy glow, is just gorgeous. I can imagine Thorburn outside, trying to capture the scene before it changes completely. Look how he’s rendered the feathers on those ducks, so smooth and slick. The black one in front has this cool white patch on its head, like a punk rock stripe. And the one in back scratching its head with its foot! It’s funny and kind of endearing. There's something so peaceful and classic about the whole thing. He reminds me of Audubon in a way, but with a softer touch. You can tell he really loved birds, spending hours observing them. It’s like he’s inviting us to see the beauty in the everyday, those little moments of life that often go unnoticed.