The Curve of Flame

About this piece

Brilliant orange plumage stands against a dark, nearly monochrome background of palm leaves. The foreground flamingo’s looping neck and sharply defined feathers establish a sculptural presence, echoed by the softer silhouette of a second bird.

The story

I framed the nearest flamingo tightly, letting the sweep of its neck fill the space above its folded wing. What held my attention was the contrast between that pale, watchful eye and the extravagant orange of the feathers. Behind it, another bird repeated the curve, softer and more distant. In the frame, the palms became a dark curtain, leaving the two birds to carry the rhythm of the image.