Perched lightly upon a bed of hydrangeas, the tiny rifleman (tītipounamu) seems to pause between breaths, absorbing the quiet wonder of its surroundings. A bird so small it could be mistaken for a leaf in the wind, yet its presence is powerful—an embodiment of agility, resilience, and the delicate balance of nature.
The hydrangeas, gathered from my own garden, bloom in soft blues, purples, and whites, their intricate petals forming a landscape as fleeting as a cloud. Like whispers of time, they shift in colour and form, reflecting the changing seasons of both nature and life.
This mixed-media piece weaves together layers of texture and tone, capturing a moment that feels both ephemeral and eternal. The Rifleman’s Pause is an invitation to find stillness, to notice the unseen magic in the smallest of beings, and to trust that even the most delicate steps leave an imprint on the world.
