All images © Cindy Schnackel, all rights reserved. Do not pin my work to Pinterest.

Acrylic chicken painting on linen canvas board. Original artwork is 8 × 10 inches, in an ornate, vintage frame that’s in keeping with the rather satirical nature of this art.

Chickens are one of my favorite art topics, whether it’s doodling them on phone message paper, doing large scale palette knife paintings, or making elaborate surrealistic or even miniature paintings. It’s nice to see so many photographers and artists here also love them and keep them as beloved pets. I have not had them myself for about 30 yrs, but did at one time. To me, these birds are like exotic pheasants with their many shapes, colors, and variations. The chicken figures prominently in art and has for a long time. I think they appeal to artists as well as collectors. Their personalities and intelligence rival many traditional pets. The hens are usually quiet, and a bonus is fresh eggs. Their simple body shapes and ornate combs make excellent art subjects. They seem surreal even in real life, the way they walk, and the surprising things they do.

This one was done in 2011. I also have an older one here on Red Bubble, (original of the older one has sold).