Two for joy

About the work

Mixed media on canvas. Ink, Acrylic, gold leaf

Framed in black wood, L shaped—42 x 32 x 5 cm. (16.5″x 12.5″ x 2″)

Two for Joy reinterprets the familiar magpie rhyme through the lens of connection rather than superstition. While researching the bird, I learned that magpies often form long-term bonds, returning to the same partner year after year. That discovery reshaped the meaning of “joy” entirely.

In this work, joy is not loud or celebratory. It’s found in recognition, companionship, and the quiet reassurance of being seen by another. The two birds exist in a shared space — poised between stillness and movement — holding a sense of balance, trust, and mutual presence.

Layered colour, texture, and subtle detail create an atmosphere that feels intimate and grounded. The painting reflects the idea that joy is something built over time: a steady, relational force that carries us through uncertainty and change.