The Roseate Spoonbill-The Patina Journal Artist Blog

Friends,

The Roseate Spoonbill has always been one of my favorite birds. Their eye-catching, pretty-in-pink plumage—shifting to vivid magenta with maturity—paired with their green heads and ruby-red eyes, gives them a standout presence on the "birder" fashion runway. Like flamingos, their coloration comes from their diet: younger birds start out pale, and as they age, their colors intensify. They belong to the striking Threskiornithidae family, which includes all six species of spoonbills and the ibis.

Spoonbills are at home in salty, brackish, and freshwater habitats. To feed, they sweep their heads back and forth through shallow water, their flat, spoon-shaped bills slightly open, catching small fish and crustaceans. I’m always scanning for areas where water levels are dropping—those are prime spots where these wading birds tend to gather. I’ve spent countless hours watching them feed alongside other wetland species. In freshwater rookeries, they often nest near great egrets, snowy egrets, and anhingas. (There’s even a bit of teamwork in play—alligators patrol the waters below, deterring raccoons and other predators from raiding the nests.)

Not far from my home is Bird Island, a small rookery in the Indian River Lagoon. It’s a favorite spot of mine, where I’ve spent many quiet mornings and evenings photographing and observing the birds. Spoonbills mix right in with the brown pelicans, wood storks, and magnificent frigate birds, all nesting in a tangled saltwater haven. It’s a dazzling sight. There’s one nesting site in particular where, early in the morning, just as the light begins to warm the landscape, the birds fly out to collect nesting material. The first rays of sun bathe their feathers in gold, enhancing the warmth of their vivid pink tones.

Places like this are rare. And once word spreads, it's not long before the number of photographers rivals the number of birds. As one of those photographers myself, I always try to tread lightly—minimizing my impact on both the birds and my fellow observers. The more we experience nature’s wonders and share them with others, the more we realize: we are part of this intricate web, and now more than ever, nature needs us to protect it.

Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” If I may, I’d adapt that: Walk softly, hold a big vision, and let art connect us to the natural world.

Over the years, I’ve sculpted many Roseate Spoonbills—from palm-sized miniatures to monumental works. Once the sculpture is cast in bronze, the most demanding step is achieving the perfect patina. I spend a great deal of time at the foundry during this phase, carefully heating the sculpture with flame and layering chemicals by hand with a brush to create the depth and richness I envision. It’s a painstaking process, and no two sculptures ever turn out exactly the same.

This week, a new pair of life-size spoonbill sculptures arrived from the foundry—one standing on a mangrove branch, preparing to preen; the other descending with wings outstretched, just about to land. I’m excited to share them with anyone who visits the studio. After all my previous spoonbill molds were lost, I received many requests to create new ones. These are my responses to those requests.

Alongside my sculptures, I’ve also created several paintings of the Roseate. I cherish every moment I’ve spent observing them in the wild—reliving those scenes as I push clay in the studio or lay down layers of pink and magenta oil paint with my palette knife.

Not too long ago, Roseate Spoonbills were hunted nearly to extinction for their feathers. Fortunately, they’ve made a remarkable comeback. Today, they are both an icon of our wetlands and a breathtaking reminder of what’s at stake.

Thank you for reading—and for your continued support.

Be Well, Be Loved,

~Geoffrey Smith

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Sculpture Spotlight

Spiny Lobster

I am working on a large-sized spiny lobster. I was inspired by a fun conversation with a lobster-obsessed friend who also happens to be a painter. He brought me two delicious examples of the species. Of particular interest were the variations of color between them. I decided to sculpt this glorious beast, and I will enjoy experimenting with color in the patina at the foundry. I am also considering making them in stainless steel. I made this sculpture for pure joy, and I loved doing it. My vision was to create an upright or vertical sculpture that would stand out. Recently, I sold out the smaller version. It is still in pre-casting, so if you are interested in talking about the patina, I would love to hear your thoughts.

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