The Showman: A Vertical Study in Color, Confidence, and Presence

Hope Blakely
5 hours ago
2 min read

Some paintings whisper.Others don’t ask for attention — they command it.

The Showman has always belonged in that second category.

Though narrow in width, this painting rises tall and unapologetic at 7 inches wide by 21 inches high, giving the blue-and-gold macaw its full, upright posture. That vertical format wasn’t incidental — it mirrors the bird itself: alert, balanced, and clearly aware of its own presence.

This is not a background bird.This is the main act.

Inspired by a Moment at the Denver Zoo

The inspiration for The Showman came from a visit to the Denver Zoo in January of 2025, where I took the original reference photo that would later become this painting. Watching these birds in person — their intelligence, posture, and unmistakable confidence — leaves an impression that no textbook or stock image ever could.

Macaws, especially blue-and-gold macaws, have a way of holding themselves that feels intentional. There’s awareness there. Curiosity. Almost performance. That moment of recognition — when the bird seems to know it’s being watched — is what I wanted to capture.

Color, Glazing, and Controlled Drama

This piece was painted using a glazing technique, allowing layers of transparent color to build depth, saturation, and luminosity over time. That process is what gives the yellows their glow and the blues their richness without becoming flat or heavy.

The purple background was chosen deliberately. Purple amplifies contrast and drama, pushing the macaw forward visually while reinforcing that sense of theatrical presence. Against it, the bird doesn’t simply stand — it performs.

Every layer was added with the goal of clarity, intensity, and polish — not noise.

Framing That Finishes the Statement

Although The Showman has existed as a finished painting for some time, seeing it fully framed brought everything into focus. The frame doesn’t compete with the piece — it contains it, sharpens it, and elevates it.

Now priced at $450, the painting includes the frame and is ready to hang, making it a complete, finished work rather than a project waiting for its final step.

Framing a tall, narrow piece like this also reinforces what the painting already does so well: it draws the eye upward, encourages closer viewing, and holds its ground even among larger works.

One of a Kind — Always

This is a one-of-a-kind original painting.The reference photo was taken by me, the painting was developed by hand, and there is — and will only ever be — one Showman.

It’s a piece well suited for: