Elodie Guéguen-Teil- Marvelous Spatuletail (Loddigesia mirabilis)

Unlike most of my paintings, this portrait shows the bird's entire body. I wanted to celebrate the extraordinary elegance of the Marvelous Spatuletail and especially its spectacular tail feathers, found nowhere else in the world. Although the composition reveals its full silhouette, the bird still meets the viewer's eyes, creating the same intimate connection that runs through all of my work.

The soft yellow background brings light to the composition while allowing the hummingbird's iridescent colours and delicate shape to stand out. I use colour not only to create contrast but also to evoke joy, calm, and a sense of wonder.

I chose the Marvelous Spatuletail because it is one of the rarest birds I have painted. Endemic to a narrow valley in northern Peru, the Marvelous Spatuletail is threatened by habitat loss, forest degradation, and the fragmentation of the specialized habitats it depends on. It reminds us that some of the world's most extraordinary species exist nowhere else on Earth. Through this painting, I hope viewers discover both its incredible beauty and the fragility of its future.

Source: BirdLife International and the IUCN Red List.

21x29,7cm (A4)

50% of the proceeds from this piece will be donated to Le Tichodrome, a local facility for injured wild animals. To learn more about their work please visit https://www.le-tichodrome.fr/

To see more of Elodie's work be sure to follow on Instagram @art.elodie.g