Finding birds in Shakespeare's writing is one puzzle and understanding the significance of each bird is another. I am investigating 16th and 17th-century folklore and naturalist beliefs that may have shaped how each species was perceived by the playwright and his audiences. I am also collecting early modern scientific illustrations and reading the work of scholars who analyze Shakespeare's relationship to the natural world.

I want my paintings to offer natural science facts in addition to literary interpretation. All illustrations of feathers, eggs, and nests are carefully measured and rendered at life-size, and eggs are numbered in average clutch size. I utilize recent publications from reputable ornithological institutes for my avian research. My bibliography provides a detailed list of my primary references.

You can read more about the project, and the individual birds, Here

Article: "Painting the Birds of Shakespeare" from the Folger Shakespeare Library

At the bottom of this page is an artist talk from November 2025 where the artist goes in depth about the project. 

Below is the full list of available prints from the series.