Strut

Description

Sheffield’s Botanical Gardens

The Botanical Gardens in Sheffield are known for their grey squirrels that dart between the trees and beg for food from visitors. I was there on an autumn afternoon photographing them when I spotted a feral pigeon strutting confidently across the path toward me.

Most people dismiss feral pigeons as vermin, but they’re actually remarkable birds. They can recognise individual human faces, navigate across vast distances, and have been domesticated companions to humans for thousands of years. The iridescent purples and greens on their necks are genuinely beautiful when you take the time to look properly.

A Brief Encounter

This particular bird had what I can only describe as a cocky swagger. It walked straight toward me with complete confidence, and I quickly switched from photographing squirrels to capturing this striding pigeon.

I recently learned about a condition called ‘stringfoot’ where pigeons get human hair wrapped around their feet, cutting off circulation and causing pain, deformity, and even loss of toes or feet. There are compassionate rescuers who catch affected pigeons and remove the hair to alleviate their suffering. It changed my perspective on these birds – they cope with challenges we create, yet continue to thrive in our urban spaces.

The Painting Process

Working in my Sheffield home studio, I created this piece in a single painting session using oils on 6×6 inch Ampersand Gessobord panel. I used palette knife work to build up texture in the feathers and capture the strutting energy of this confident bird.

The challenge was balancing the subtle greys and browns of the body plumage with the vivid iridescent colours around the neck. Those purples and greens shift depending on the angle of light, and I wanted to capture that metallic quality without overworking it.

Original Artwork Details

This original oil painting is available for purchase unframed, allowing you to choose framing that complements your interior. For advice on framing please refer to How to Frame a Painting on a Panel.

Specifications:

• Medium: Oil on gessobord panel
• Size: 6 × 6 inches (~ 15 × 15 cm)
• Depth: 0.3 cm (~ 1/8 inch)
• Unframed
• Year: 2025
• Signed on reverse

Prints are available on request – please get in touch if you’d like to order one.

Shipping & Care

Your painting will be carefully packaged with protective materials and shipped via Royal Mail within 3-5 business days. The panel is robust and archival – oil paintings on panel have been proven to last for centuries when properly cared for. Display away from direct sunlight and extreme humidity for best longevity.