Shelly Johnson Watercolor Painter

“The Poser"

Watercolor on Paper

14" x 18"

“The Poser” (the yellow-headed blackbird) was accepted into the 53nd Annual Rocky Mountain National Watermedia exhibition, which will be held at the Center for the Arts Evergreen in Evergreen, Colorado from September 10 to October 17, 2026. Opening Reception and Award Ceremony is September 10, 2026 from 4 to 7 pm.

I visit Centennial Marsh near Fairfield, Idaho, every year in May to photograph the camas bloom and the abundance of migrating birds. The yellow-headed blackbirds are clearly heard, but mostly hidden within the reeds and impossible to photograph. This year, one blackbird perched on the branch of a tree right in front of me, demanded my attention, and struck multiple poses for my camera. His pose and his beautiful coordinating backdrop were the inspiration for this watercolor painting.