I was entranced the minute I saw the white and black flash against the blue New Mexican sky.

And even more enamored when the sun revealed iridescent feathers with greens and blues as magpies lingered in the arroyo or majestically perched on tree branches.

I started this series when the quarantine started in March 2020. With every painting, I seem to learn a little more about how the magpie frees and inspires me during these tough times.

I don’t want to destroy my compulsion to paint magpies by deeply analyzing why I am drawn to them. But I’m willing to speculate a little. Part of it was in response to ever-prevalent depictions of ravens that are found in many New Mexican galleries and stores. Why not the big and strikingly beautiful magpies? They are as large, smart and playful as ravens and crows.

But I think the biggest part of my attraction is the the magpie’s ability to simultaneously catch one’s eye while also inviting a closer, more quiet look to see its spectacular colors. They are both blatently obvious and darkly mysterious.