Among the many wildlife portraits painted by Merrill Coffin, one stands out for its quiet grace—a quail perched confidently on a weathered log. Behind the bird, soft hills dissolve into a light grey horizon, offering a muted backdrop that places full attention on the subject.
The quail’s plumage, rendered in subtle shades of bluish-grey and warm brown, reveals Coffin’s attentive eye for detail and his ability to bring out the character of even the smallest woodland creatures. This painting was more than a portrait of a bird; it was a celebration of the natural world he so deeply admired.
For years, this work hung at the Nic-L-Inn, a beloved restaurant that became a gathering place for the Coffin family and a showcase for Merrill’s art. Diners and visitors alike would pause to admire the wildlife portraits that adorned its walls, linking food, family, and art in a space of shared memory.
Today, Quail on the Log continues to carry that history—an intimate reminder of both a cherished family tradition and Merrill Coffin’s lasting contribution to wildlife art.
Private Collection of James Coffin.
Leave a Reply