Auction closed with a winning bid of $1660! Thanks to everyone for your support. And you can still make a donation at the ABC website here.
Like so many other birders, I’ve had the great pleasure of sitting and birding in the Paton’s backyard sanctuary in Patagonia, Arizona, where Violet-crowned Hummingbird is one of the specialties. I did this gouache painting of a Violet-crowned Hummingbird remembering my visits there, and 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this painting will be donated to help permanently preserve the property as a bird sanctuary and education center.
I’m donating a painting because I support this cause, and you can make a donation even if you’re not buying the painting. Please be generous. You can read more about the project, and make donations, at this link http://www.abcbirds.org/paton/
About the artwork
This is an original painting created with gouache on bristol board. These are archival materials and with proper care the painting should remain essentially unchanged for a hundred years or more.
The original is 8.5″ wide by 10″ tall.
Info about auctions in general
This auction uses “proxy” bidding or automatic bidding, the same method used on eBay. The system allows you, as a bidder, to specify a hypothetical maximum price that you would be willing to pay, and it will automatically respond to other bids for you up to your maximum. If a previous bidder has entered a maximum bid, then YOUR bid will trigger the system to place an automatic bid in THEIR name that is slightly higher than yours.
If you want to know more you can read the explanation on eBay here. And if you have any questions or concerns please contact me.
Payment
The winner of the auction will receive an email notification, with a link to a Paypal page to make payment. A Paypal account is not required to use the service, and all major credit cards are accepted. The winning bidder can pay for the auction by clicking on the Paypal link in that email. I will transfer the full payment in your name to the Paton’s Birder Haven fundraising campaign.
If you would like to make other arrangements for payment, or have other questions, you can contact me.
Shipping
The cost of shipping to the continental US via USPS ground is included in the sale price. Overnight delivery or shipping to other countries is available at additional cost. The winning bidder can contact me for details and pay separately for these services if needed.
Satisfaction Guarantee
As with all of my artwork, if you feel the piece you receive is unsatisfactory for any reason, just contact me and return it in its original condition for a full refund.
Dear Mr. Sibley,
Thank you so much for this exquisite painting of the Violet-crowned hummingbird to help preserve and maintain Paton’s Birder Haven. As you know, the Violet-crowned is the bird that made my parent’s place famous. As the story is told by Wally Paton, one day a group of birders were standing outside the fence surrounding the property with spotting scopes trying to catch a glimpse of the Violet-crowned. This prompted my parents to open the gate and invite them into their backyard. That was 40 years ago and since then the gate has remained open and the feeders filled. Thousands of birders have visited Paton’s and consider it their “home” as well. We are honored that you have generously offered your support to the efforts of the American Bird Conservancy, Victor Emanuel Nature Tours and Tucson Audubon to preserve Paton’s for future generations of bird lovers. Thank you! Bonnie Paton Moon, daughter of Wally & Marion Paton
Hi Bonnie, I’m very happy to do this, and I really appreciate all of your efforts to carry on the legacy and keep this special place available to future birders.
Thanks,
David
This is very kind of you to do this! I do hope that enough money is raised to save this wonderful place! I will share this link on my facebook page. Thank you for doing this!
What a wonderful painting. Thanks so much for helping raise funds to save the Paton’s. Ann Cullen Smith called me yesterday to find out how the campaign is going. Ann is 105!!! She told me she had sent out letters asking friends to donate. She was thrilled to know we have almost raised enough money.
It is my hope to share this beautiful painting with the thousands of birders who visit Paton’s each year by hanging it at Paton’s Birder Haven some day. Thank you David for such a beautiful painting and thanks to all who bid. I only started bidding in the last nine minutes, but what an exciting nine minutes it was!