During an art show, I met a talented photographer, Arie van Tesmeij @vantermeijfotografie We soon started working together, and I immediately knew I wanted to use his kingfisher pictures as a reference for this painting.

Sometimes, I get an animal in my head, and it doesn’t leave until it’s on my panel. The most impressive non-coincidence is how deeply the symbolism of that animal resonates with whatever is happening in my life at that moment.

The kingfisher is one of the most beautiful birds in nature and has a long history of spiritual and cultural significance. It symbolizes transformation, resilience, and many other positive qualities.

At the time, I was at risk of losing my job due to a reorganization and needed to find another one. It affected me more than I wanted to admit—I was truly in need of resilience and transformation. Everything turned out fine, as it always does, but I was left with a sense of grief that needed time to heal.

This little guy didn’t just come to me intuitively as a subject for my painting; he also appeared to me physically. I saw him flying over the lake behind my house—like a radiant blue light gliding above the water—an absolutely incredible experience.