Hummingbird in Peril Brings Acclaim to Artist

Boerne, Texas, September 20, 2006 – “I noticed something large and gangly trapped in a huge orb spider web. I looked closer and discovered a female black-chinned hummingbird, stretched out and stuck fast,” explains Melanie Fain, a Texas artist and naturalist. “It was apparent by the loose feathers; she had struggled to free herself to no avail. She was tired and had given up.”

Melanie Fain has received national and international acclaim for her paintings of bugs, birds and botanicals in watercolor and etchings. Fain continues, “I carefully freed the hummingbird from the web, and painstakingly removed pieces of the sticky web from her wings and body before releasing her.” Fain’s watercolor, Tangled Web, captures the drama of the hummingbirds struggle.

Tangled Web was selected for Birds In Art, a prestigious international art exhibit. Since 1976, the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum has organized Birds in Art annually, seeking to present the very best contemporary artistic interpretations of birds and related subject matter. Approximately 100 artists are selected from around the world to participate in Birds In Art. Additionally, 50 works are selected from Birds in Art to be included in a national tour. This tour greatly expands the exhibition’s reach to broader audiences. Tangled Web was selected for this national tour.

The Woodson Art Museum was so taken with Melanie Fain’s dramatic painting; they purchased Tangled Web for the museum’s permanent collection.

For more information on Birds In Art and The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, visit www.lywam.org

To learn more about Melanie Fain, or to see more of her watercolors and etchings, visit her website at www.melaniefain.com

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Melanie Fain
Artist and Naturalist
(830) 377-3255
mel@melaniefain.com
www.melaniefain.com