Small Bird on Branch (likely a Wren or Cactus Wren)
Original painting on paper (spiral-bound sketchbook page) • Signed 'Storka' or 'Storka 15'; likely a contemporary student or emerging amateur artist
Style & Movement
Contemporary illustrative realism; Folk Art/Naïve Art influence
Medium & Technique
Acrylic or gouache on paper; employs flat background washes with layered, illustrative stippling and short strokes for feather textures
Creation Period
2015 (based on signature date)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 9 x 12 inches (standard sketchbook size); vertical portrait orientation
Subject Description
A detailed depiction of a brown and white speckled bird, resembling a wren, perched diagonally on a textured grey and brown branch. The background is a flat mint green with pale, minimalist tree forms suggested in the foreground.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Fair; inherent structural issues due to the perforated edges and potential for color fading on non-acid-free paper
Estimated Market Value
$25 - $75 (decorative value)
Auction Estimate
$20 - $50
Provenance History
Likely created in a personal sketchbook; no visible stamps or exhibition history; likely a private collection/hobbyist work
Art Historical Significance
Low art historical significance; categorized as an amateur nature study or student practice piece illustrating taxonomic interest
Notable Features
Distinctive vertical signature 'Storka 15' in the bottom left corner; high contrast between the detailed bird rendering and the flat, stylized background
Condition Issues
Perforated top edge indicates removal from a spiral book; some minor surface scuffing in the green background; paper rippling due to moisture absorption from the paint
Conservation Recommendations
Mount on acid-free backing to stabilize paper; frame under UV-protective glass to prevent pigment fading; avoid high humidity