American Robin in Lilac Bush

Normally, I wouldn't think of painting a robin with lilacs. But for the past two mornings, I've woken up with the sound of wings beating and branches stirring right outside my upstairs bedroom window. There is a lilac bush in bloom very close to the window. The lilac has grown to the height of the house over the years.
This morning, I was curious enough to peek out the window and see what was going on. There, not too far away was a nest and a robin returning from the woods with some stick or other to weave into it. After it wove, it tried out the nest, then poked things in a little more, tried it out again and repeated the process a few more times. Then it flew off to get more material for the nest.

The robin probably feels the nest is perfectly safe from peering eyes at that height. But, lucky me, I get to watch. I imagine in a few weeks I'll be waking to the sound of tiny voices peeping! So, here for you is the robin in my lilac bush.

• This painting has been sold.