It was 19 years ago that I saw a bluejay near a white picket fence and thought that there was an interesting painting idea. Two years ago I saw a flower-filled garden which would make an excellent backdrop. Nearby was a white fence which could complete the composition. Artists are often asked how long does a painting take. Did this one take 19 years or would one count only the time it took to put paint on my gessoed panel? I would argue if I didn't have that encounter 19 years ago and had the idea rolling around in my head all that time until I recognized the right setting, this painting might never have come into existence