Mallard Rising 1933

Archibald Thorburn made this watercolor, "Mallard Rising", probably outside, catching a fleeting moment. Look at the way the ducks burst forth from the reeds, a flurry of wings and feathers against the muted blue of the water and sky. I can almost feel the cool dampness of the marsh and hear the rustling of the tall grasses. The artist is so good at painting feathers, and the way the light hits the duck's iridescent green head is just gorgeous. You can tell Thorburn spent a lot of time observing nature, trying to capture its essence on paper. I bet he felt like he was on a mission, studying the birds and then trying to immortalize them in paint. It’s like he’s saying, “Hey, look at this beautiful thing—isn't it amazing?” I feel like he's trying to catch a vibe, an energy, a vitality. Painters are always looking at each other’s work, riffing on ideas, and pushing the boundaries of what painting can do, it is an invitation to pause, reflect, and connect with the natural world.