[Art] Gouldian Finch as Totem

[moonvoice]

Gouldian Finch as Totem

Despite being popular as a cage finch, the gouldian finch is an endangered bird, with less than approximately 2,500 mature birds left in the wild. There are many domestic colour variations in captivity, but in the wild the very colourful gouldian finch appears with a black face, a less common red face, and a rare yellow face. They live on grass seeds, and research shows they never consume insects. Females control the sex of their offspring through mate choice, and offspring have distinctively coloured gapes to help guide the parents into their mouths. Their bright colouring is not a benefit in the wild, where they are easily located and caught by predators.





Gouldian finch as a totem animal represents: (not exhaustive).

Colour therapy, colour wisdom, using colour to connect with the world and others, beauty but not gaudy, painting and artistry, requiring times of hollowness or emptiness, a strong connection to fire, dependence on fire, a need to control one’s environment, being trapped or exploited, watch out for people using you because of your appearance or skills, small things nourish you.

Original AVAILABLE - $75 USD
18.5 x 20.5cm (or 7.4 x 8 in)
illo's board, fineliner, aquarelle, pencil, metallic and iridescent paint

Comments

[ariestess]

This is just as pretty as I'd hoped it would be when you'd mentioned you were going to draw it. Lovely job!

[gemfyre.livejournal.com]

!

*checks bank account*

This and Red-capped Parrot would look awesome next to each other! (I know you haven't drawn Red-capped Parrot yet, but you might one day).

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

I probably will! I love red-capped parrots! They are really gorgeous.

[mirrorred-star.livejournal.com]

I think Gouldian finches are absolutely beautiful- I remember paining one for a mambo-style project in year 10 art, though I never finished it. I love the choice of colour for the background- it suits really well.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I think next time I do a gouldian (if it comes up again), I won't do the black lines behind the colour, I like the texture, but the birds are even brighter than this picture, and I think the black lines mute it down a bit.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Ooo that would have been an awesome project!
And thank you, gouldian finch chose the background colours, they kind of remind me of their babies and the colouring in their mouths.

[ariestess]

*nods* The ones I've seen in the pet stores have been so very bright and colorful...