Blue Jay Haven

Commissioned by Alltel in Jamestown, New York, for its corporate collection in 1988, Merrill Coffin’s Blue Jay Haven is a masterful celebration of nature’s interplay with manmade objects, rendered with delicate precision and a narrative quality.

The painting features two blue jays in an autumnal setting that evokes both beauty and nostalgia. The focal point is a rusted U.S. mailbox, weathered by time, with its door slightly ajar. A hint of grass peeks out from the mailbox’s opening, suggesting that the box is no longer in use for letters but rather as a potential nesting spot for its new inhabitants. Perched atop the mailbox, one of the blue jays holds a bright red berry in its beak, a vivid pop of color against the subdued palette of the scene.

Below, the second blue jay rests on the crossbar of the mail post, its posture calm yet alert, as if keeping watch over the potential nest. The background features a golden field, reminiscent of late autumn, radiating warmth and a sense of seasonal transition. A solitary rock punctuates the field, while sparse wildflowers, already gone to seed, add a delicate texture to the foreground.

The sky above is a muted greyish-blue, a subdued contrast to the golden hues below, reinforcing the quiet, reflective mood of the painting. Coffin’s attention to detail, from the rust on the mailbox to the subtle play of light and shadow across the feathers of the birds, invites viewers to linger and immerse themselves in this tranquil moment.

Blue Jay Haven is not only a testament to Coffin’s technical skill but also to his ability to capture the harmony between nature and the remnants of human life, making it a timeless addition to Alltel’s collection.