Free Flight - arctic terns by Stephen Lyman

Free Flight by Stephen Lyman

 Sterna paradisaea

 The air is fresh, crisp, cold and clean above snow-etched mountain ridges. Playing with the wind and sunbeams, two Arctic Terns slice the air, frolicking with each other along their migratory path.

The image evokes a sense of joy in light, air and movement in this painting, echoing the swift flight dance of the birds with the undulating ridge tops in the background.

"Two arctic terns in a very balanced portrait. One is dark against a light background; the other, light against a dark backgraound. One going up and one going down - a graceful, complementary relationship." - Stephen  Lyman.

Print released 1984.