Mario Blades
In their flight, birds symbolise the boundless freedom we all aspire to achieve – John Grogan.
Mario Blades is a Trinidad and Tobago – based visual artist specialising in wildlife and bird paintings.
Artist and Illustrator
Mario holds a BFA in Visual Arts and currently works as a Secondary school art educator. Inspired by Caribbean nature and dramatic storytelling, his work blends realism, expressive brushwork and atmospheric light to create emotionally engaging images rooted in observation and imagination.
Title: Forest Royalty
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 24″ x 18″
The Motmot is known for its vibrant plumage and distinctive racket-shaped tail, making it one of the most recognisable birds of the tropical forest. In Forest Royalty, the bird emerges quietly from lush green shadows, perched with calm confidence as light filters through the surrounding foliage.
Title: On the Edge of Stillness
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 24″ x 18″
The Green Kingfisher is a compact freshwater hunter often found near rivers, ponds and marshes, where it waits patiently before diving for prey. On the Edge of Stillness captures a moment of silence before movement, as the bird balances delicately among reeds with intense focus and precision.
Title: Crowned Jewel
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 24″ x 18″
The Tufted Coquette is one of the smallest and most visually striking hummingbirds, admired for its fiery crest and iridescent plumage. Crowned Jewel presents the bird perched with regal presence, illuminated against a soft natural backdrop that allows its brilliant colours to command attention.
Title: Petal Throne
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 24″ x 18″
The Ruby-topaz Hummingbird is celebrated for its brilliant copper-orange plumage and glowing red gorget, which catches the light with jewel-like intensity. In Petal Throne, the bird rests gracefully upon a vibrant bloom, creating a balance between elegance and energy within the tropical setting.
Title: Curious Beak
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 23.5″ x 31.5″
The Channel-billed Toucan is instantly recognisable for its oversized bill, vivid colouring and inquisitive personality. Curious Beak presents the bird in an intimate close-up perspective, drawing attention to its expressive posture and striking facial features. The slight tilt of the head creates a sense of curiosity and interaction, inviting viewers into a moment of connection.