Greater Prairie Chickens

Two male Greater Prairie Chickens are captured mid-display in this stunning watercolor-style artwork, their distinctive orange air sacs inflated and dramatic black pinnate feathers raised upright on their heads as they face off in a classic booming courtship ritual. The birds stand amid tall prairie grasses rendered in warm amber and brown tones, while a dreamy blue-and-white watercolor wash forms the background, punctuated by paint splatters that give the piece a loose, expressive energy. The mottled brown-and-white barred plumage of each bird is rendered with impressive detail, contrasting beautifully against the soft, fluid backdrop and lending the composition a sense of both wildness and artistic elegance.