Hummingbirds Archives - Michael Pekala

From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come)

Michael Pekala — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:01:11 +0000

From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come) – “From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come)” is my latest painting and it’s my largest to date, measuring 29”x26,” featuring a very small subject: a hummingbird.

The painting is acrylics on stretched upholstery fabric. In this case, the beautiful floral pattern was the perfect background for this ruby-throated hummingbird.

Below is a short video showing off the original floral fabric and then the hummingbird:

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Humming in the Flowers

Michael Pekala — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 14:49:19 +0000

Humming in the Flowers – A little hummingbird painting, measuring 8″x8″ – acrylics on stretched upholstery fabric.

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Humming Along

Michael Pekala — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 10:54:10 +0000

Humming Along – I’m happy to present my County Collector piece for the 2025 County Studio Tour.

This painting measures 6″x6″ and is acrylics on a combination of upholstery fabric (the background) and epoxy clay (the hummingbird) – the fabric is mounted to the County Collector’s plaque where it is signed on the back.

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The Floating Hummingbird

Michael Pekala — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 18:08:48 +0000

The Floating Hummingbird – My first attempt of combining epoxy clay with fabric came out so much better than I anticipated. And as with all my “firsts,” I painted a hummingbird.

The painting measures 19.5″x12.5″ and it is a combination of acrylics on epoxy clay (the hummingbird is sculpted) and stretched upholstery fabric (the background). It is framed in a handcrafted frame painted a copper color.

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And It’s Ever Present Everywhere

Michael Pekala — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 11:06:44 +0000

And It’s Ever Present Everywhere: This painting has such an abundance of warmth and light bathing the hummingbird that I couldn’t help but think of Van Morrison’s song, “Warm Love,” with the lyric “And It’s Ever Present Everywhere.”

The painting measures 11″x14″ and it’s painted on a combination of stretched upholstery fabric (from an old duvet cover) and acrylic glass. It is framed in a hand-crafted frame that is painted a metallic copper that measures 12″x15″.

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A Little Hum in Spring

Michael Pekala — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 18:40:41 +0000

A Little Hum in Spring – Painted specifically the County Studio Tour, this pieces is small, measuring 6″x6″ (7.5″x7.5″ framed), and sees the background fabric adhered to a backing plaque, that has the County Studio Tour year as well as the titles of the piece and my signature.

It is acrylic paint on a combination of fabric (upcycled duvet cover) and acrylic glass. The entire piece is framed in a handcrafted and hand-painted wooden frame that is an antiqued copper – it perfectly matches the hummingbird.

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Ruby Red

Michael Pekala — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 17:33:30 +0000

Ruby Red – This painting features a Ruby-throated hummingbird flying amongst flowers. The hummingbird itself is painted on clear acrylic with acrylic paints which is then placed over painted upholstery fabric. These two pieces are placed together in a hand-painted acrylic frame and the whole piece is finished with gloss varnish. It is then placed in a handmade poplar frame that is painted in a metallic copper color. The entire framed piece measures 11.25″x13.25″ – it is wired and ready to hang in a new forever home.

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In the Flowers

Michael Pekala — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 16:39:29 +0000

In the Flowers – Painting of a hummingbird flying through flowers. The hummingbird is acrylic paints on clear acrylic substrate while the background is painted on stretched upholstery fabric (from an old duvet cover). The piece is sealed with gloss varnish and assembled in a handmade and hand-painted poplar frame. The painting measures 11.5″ x 9.5″.

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Fluttering in the Summer Twilight

Michael Pekala — Tue, 16 May 2023 00:00:42 +0000

Fluttering in the Summer Twilight: This is a new technique that has the hummingbird painted on clear acrylic with acrylic paints which is then placed over painted upholstery fabric (which is an old duvet cover). These two pieces are placed together in a hand-painted acrylic frame and the whole piece is finished with gloss varnish. It is then placed in a handmade poplar floating frame that is painted in a warm pink. It is wired and ready to hang in a new forever home.

The entire framed piece measures 10.75″x13.75″x2″ deep.

I have painted for a long while on upholstery fabric and this is the first of an experiment of sorts, where I paint on clear acrylic which is then placed over the painted fabric. The purpose of this method is to allow me to get more detail with my tiny brushes that I really can’t get when painting directly on the fabric. This also gives a new dimensionality to the piece where they hummingbird really appears to be hovering over the background.

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HUMMINGBIRD & FLOWERS #9

Michael Pekala — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 11:52:01 +0000

Hummingbird & Flowers #9 – The 9th in my series of hummingbirds – this is a springtime hummingbird! It’s painted on floral fabric from an old duvet cover (like hummingbirds 7 & 8) that I stretched like a canvas. The painting measures 12″x16″ and is framed in a handmade and hand-painted poplar frame that is a dark walnut color, dry brushed with warm pinks to pull in the flower. The painting is wired and ready to hang.

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Hummingbird & Flowers #8

Michael Pekala — Sun, 09 Apr 2023 14:23:40 +0000

Hummingbird & Flowers #8 – The eighth in the series features a Rufous Hummingbird and measures 16″x12″. This is acrylics on stretched upholstery fabric.

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HUMMINGBIRD & FLOWERS #7

Michael Pekala — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 15:06:29 +0000

Hummingbird & Flowers #7 – The latest hummingbird painting measures 11″x12″ and is painted on stretched upholstery fabric that originally comes from a duvet cover.

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