Beauty in Others’ Work

One of the quiet pleasures of living near the Delaware River is seeing Great Blue Herons, birds I have loved since I first encountered them in the Deep South. Today, I often spot them flying overhead during my commute or standing perfectly still in the water while I walk or bike along the Delaware and Raritan River Canal.

They always make me pause.

There's something captivating about their elegant shape—the long legs, layered feathers, graceful S-shaped neck, and deliberate movements. At the same time, they have an almost prehistoric appearance. It's a combination that has fascinated me for years.

I'd been wanting to paint one for quite a while, but when I finally found the time, I couldn't decide on the right pose.

While searching for reference material, I discovered Pexels, a website where photographers generously share their work for others to use. There I came across a beautiful photograph by Robert So that immediately captured the feeling I was hoping to convey. I decided to use it and made a donation to Robert.

Rather than copying the photograph, I used it as a reference to study the bird's posture, proportions, and quiet presence while creating my own watercolor interpretation. It became an invaluable starting point.

I'm grateful to photographers like Robert who freely share their work and, in doing so, help other artists learn, grow, and create. Creativity has a wonderful way of building on itself, and generosity like this makes it possible.

If you enjoy wildlife photography, I encourage you to spend a little time exploring Robert's work on Instagram. It's full of remarkable images that celebrate the beauty of the natural world.

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