Ellen Rice Studio of Fine Art
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Feathered Sunshine

Oil painting of a goldfinch, a beautiful little bird with quite a symbolic history

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12" x 16" oil painting on canvas and fine
​art gicle'e reproductions by Ellen Rice

Original sold. Prints available.
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Feathered Sunshine

by Ellen Rice
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Feathered Sunshine was inspired by my yearning for spring in the dead of winter.  Nestled warmly inside my home, sipping hot coffee a long flight of steps above the icy driveway out front, I decided to create a bright sign of spring if I couldn’t actually make it come early.
​
At least that's what I thought I was doing….
 
I always believed goldfinches went away in the fall and came back in early spring.  Not so - though their bright gold colors are definitely a sign of spring.

Confused?  I was.
 
It turns out that along the Mid-Atlantic coastal region where I live goldfinches never leave at all. Instead, the more recognizably striking gold, black and white males go incognito for the winter, exchanging their golden plumage for drab olives and browns, perhaps as camouflage during the colder months.

They molt again and reappear as "goldfinches" around April, flaunting their bright gold feathered regalia just in time to draw the eye of their lifetime mate.  And this explains what makes many of us think they've been away and just returned.

I didn't know until I started researching that goldfinches have long been considered symbolic of good tidings, renewal and resurrection. 
 
They've been painted for thousands of years, particularly in ancient religious works of art relating to a tale about the first Easter.  Lore has it that a goldfinch - lover of seeds and thistles - followed Jesus as he carried his cross and seeing his crown of thorns, plucked a thorn from Jesus' forehead where he was bleeding.  The story goes on to say a drop of blood got on the goldfinch and that is why some varieties have red spots.  Google and Wikipedia are great sources if you're interested in reading more tales.
 
I hope "Feathered Sunshine" brightens your day and brings you the good tidings for which this beautiful feathered creature is known.
 
Ellen

PS - If you're a goldfinch lover and would like to see another goldfinch painting I did recently, just click on Goldfinch Lane.
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​30124 Territory Trail, Ocean View, DE 19970 
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Sunday 12 to 3

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​All images, design and text Copyright Ellen Rice Associates, LLC, Ocean View, Delaware, 2022. All rights reserved.
  • Home
  • Original Paintings
    • Original oils and pastels
    • Portraits & Other Commissions
  • Strength of Women Series
    • About the Series
    • Standing on the Rock Vol I
    • The Journey Vol II
    • No Way Out Vol III
    • Freedom Vol IV
    • The Narrow path Vol V
    • Reflection Vol VI
    • In God's Hands Vol VII
    • Whatsoever things are lovely Vol VIII
  • Prints
    • About Ellen Rice Prints
    • Indian River Inlet
    • Seascapes and Beach
    • Bay Scenes
    • Maps & Treasure Coast History
    • Lighthouses, Coast Guard Stations & Delaware's Watchtowers
    • Paintings Created to Uplift
    • Children's Prints and Portraits
    • Dog Portraits & Prints
    • Pony & Horse Portraits & Prints
    • Trees, Nature & Wildlife Landscapes
    • Nature and Wildlife
    • Pen, Ink, Watercolor & Pencil Drawings
  • Studio Notes
  • Gifts & gift cards
    • Ellen's Small Gifts
    • LEAF LEATHER by CL Whiting >
      • Card Cases & Other Small Accessories
      • Classic Handbags
      • Coinpurse & Cosmetic
      • Leather-Edged Bags
      • Small Bags
      • Totes
      • Working Bags
      • Men's Wallets
      • Women's Wallets
    • American Hand Made >
      • CERAMICS, POTTERY and RAKU >
        • J. Davis Raku InnerSpirit Rattles & Ornaments
      • CLOCKS & TOYS by Laughing Moon
      • GLASS ART >
        • Chiara Reading Stained Glass
        • Justin Cavagnaro Glass Art
        • Luke Adams Blown Glass
      • JEWELRY BY THE SHORE >
        • Austin Cake's Sun Sea Sand Sea Glass Jewelry
        • Meg's Prism Sea Glass Jewelry
        • Diane Page Beach Glass Jewelry Designs
        • Kim Doughty-Cavagnaro
      • PUPPETS & PUPPET KITS - Cate & Levi
      • WOOD >
        • Steve Baldwin Wooden Toys
    • GIFT CARDS
  • About
    • About the Studio
    • About Ellen Rice
    • About Ellen Rice Prints
    • Staff
    • Services & Policies
  • Special Offers
  • Virtual Wall
  • Visit the studio, where & when
  • Contact