Heron Carrying an Open-Air Theatre

A huge heron strides along a riverbank, its feathers patched in teal, coral, mustard and plum, with a swirl of red and cream on its neck and white blossoms on its crest. On its back sits a small stage with red curtains where three actors dance for an audience seated on benches. Spotlights hang from its crest, red flowers bloom along its shoulder, and teal mushrooms and blackberries grow near the tail. Below, a second little stage under its body shows two more players, with a caravan wagon beside it. Stagehands on ladders hang a curtain, and a few musicians play violin and guitar. Wooden huts, upturned red boats, rope coils, frogs, moorhens and tall irises fill the bank. The red boats and blue doors repeat across the picture and help the pieces find their neighbours.