There is something captivating about watching birds in flight — the freedom of movement, the changing shapes of their wings, and those fleeting moments when they seem to hang effortlessly in the air.

This piece captures a pair of goldfinches mid-flight, their wings outstretched as they move through the space between them. I wanted to capture not just their distinctive colours, but the energy and grace of these small birds as they take to the air.

Goldfinches are familiar visitors to our gardens and countryside, recognised by their striking red faces, golden-yellow wing markings and delicate patterns of brown, black and white. Despite their small size, they have a wonderful presence, particularly when seen flying together.

For this artwork, I have carefully reverse-painted each bird onto glass, building up the intricate details of their feathers and distinctive markings. Their wings are gilded in 24ct gold leaf, bringing warmth and luminosity to the yellow feathers and creating a beautiful contrast against the deeper, earthy tones of their bodies.

The precious metal leaf catches and reflects the light, allowing the birds to take on a different character as the viewing angle changes. The gilding adds a subtle radiance to their movement, echoing the flashes of colour you might catch when goldfinches fly past in the natural world.

As with all my work, this piece is created using the traditional heritage craft of Verre-églomisé — painting and gilding onto the reverse of glass. Working in reverse requires each layer to be carefully considered, with the finest details applied in an order that allows the finished image to come together when viewed from the front.

The birds appear to float against the pale background, with space around them emphasising their movement and the moment captured between one wingbeat and the next.

Each piece I create is completely original and made entirely by hand in my studio. The combination of detailed reverse-painting and precious metal leaf brings together my fascination with the natural world and my passion for this historic craft.

Artwork details

Weight: Approximately 3kg
Hanging: Cord
Glass: 4mm toughened glass
Frame: Handmade bespoke frame with 20mm slips
Finish: Little Greene Intelligent Eggshell paint

UK delivery: Please see the listing for delivery details.
Worldwide delivery: Please contact the studio for a delivery quote.

If you would like any further information about this artwork, please get in touch. I would be delighted to help.