Birds with Hats

Bird lovers know that all birds have their own personality. Birds with Hats carries this notion one simple step further and asks: If an average bird actually wore a hat, what would they choose and, better yet, why?

Minnesota artist Matt Decker delves into a realistic series of watercolor artwork that hopes to answer just that question. These are light-hearted snapshots into a world where birds of the Midwest simply go about their day, but with hats.

Matt grew up in rural southeast Minnesota down a gravel road and far-afield from even his closest neighbors. With the natural world as his constant companion and inspiration, he was instilled with a deep appreciation and respect for flora and fauna, particularly little feathered friends.

Years later as an adult it would prove the subject matter that first came to mind when, at the suggestion of a friend, he tried watercolor painting. The first painting was enough of a fun exercise to get him to paint the next one, and then the next, and the field guide has only grown from there!