Tales Of A Feather
By Robert Nitiredjo
"Tales Of A Feather" is the name of my newsletter. It is intended for those who want to go beyond the (painted) surface and learn more about the stories behind my art.
While social media offers a quick glimpse of my latest work, it's a fast-paced environment where my birds often get lost in the scroll, if they catch your attention at all. It's not the ideal space for fully appreciating a work of art. That's why I created Tales Of A Feather; a quieter, more intentional place where each new painting gets the spotlight it deserves.
Subscribers are always the first to see my latest work, before it appears anywhere else, and have the earliest opportunity to purchase it. Since I don't complete a new painting every month, I also dive into topics closely connected to my art, from the creative process to the themes that inspire me.
Subscribe to my newsletter here. Below, you'll find an archive of past editions.
Eyes On The Prize
3/16/2026
It will come as no surprise to you that besides painting, I'm also fond of birdwatching. Spending time in nature is already a great way to practise mindfulness, but trying to spot birds really forces you to slow down and anchor your attention in the present moment. It engages all your senses. You have to listen for calls, scan for movement, and remain quiet and alert. Spotting a bird is always a nice reward, of course, but even when sightings are scarce, you've still enjoyed beautiful landscapes, gotten some exercise, and given your mind a chance to quiet down [...]
Rock Bottom
4/29/2025
I always like to start my days by spending some time away from the easel, outside in nature. I usually take a 6 kilometer walk in my hometown of Breda, which fortunately has a very green urban centre, and was even given the official title “National Park City” in 2025. It’s my daily exercise, and also a great way to get out of my head and enjoy nature.
Nature, by the way, is more than just the trees and flowers in the park [...]
Six For Gold
2/26/2025
Magpies have something of a bad reputation. Often dismissed as noisy nuisances or unwelcome thieves, they're much more than that. These birds are remarkably intelligent, capable of solving problems and adapting to their surroundings. They help keep insect populations in check, contribute to seed dispersal, and play their own part in the intricate web of life. And then there's their appearance. They may appear black and white from a distance, but in direct sunlight [...]
The Art Of Discipline
1/25/2025
Scripture states, “Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)
It's a common sound in the woods, the relentless pecking at trees by these beautiful birds. I felt like a painting of a woodpecker in action could be a metaphor for disciplined pursuit. A visual reminder to [...]
New Solo Exhibition
4/13/2023
I am thrilled to announce my upcoming solo exhibition "Birds Of A Feather". As you might have guessed, this exhibition features a series of realistic oil paintings of all kinds of birds in various landscapes. A modest body of work which I started in 2019. Each painting has been crafted with special attention to lighting and mood, creating a truly immersive experience for the viewer [...]
Vantage Point
3/4/2023
In this painting I played with different types of contrast to create visual drama and to draw the viewer in.
Besides the subtle contrasts between hard and soft edges, carefully blended brushwork and (seemingly) loose and spontaneous brushstrokes, I used two powerful contrasts to focus the viewer's attention [...]
Humble Beginnings
6/27/2022
This beautiful woodland-bird is a Eurasian Jay. The jay is known for its love of acorns, which is why they call it "Jay of the Oaks in France (Geai des chênes). This one is resting on the moss-covered roots of an old oak with an acorn held gently in its beak. A simple scene, but one that hints at a profound underlying truth: great things always start small.