Vancouver parrot lands internet fame with artwork

Bruce, the mononymous painter, has taken the social media world by storm with his unique abstract artworks created using only the colorful juices of fruits. With over 37,000 Instagram followers and a growing Tumblr fanbase, Bruce has become a sensation in the art world. What sets Bruce apart from other artists is that he is not your typical painter – he is a parrot.

At just 17 years old, Bruce is a green-and-blue patched parrotlet who has captured the hearts of many through his vibrant and contemporary art pieces. His owner, Tina Kirmis, has been sharing videos and photos of Bruce and their other feathered friends on their Instagram page @follow_the_feathers. One of the most popular videos shows Bruce in his “berry-eating dome,” a glass structure designed by Kirmis to contain the mess from his messy eating habits. As Bruce indulges in his berries, his enthusiastic eating creates Jackson Pollock-esque paintings on the paper sheets beneath him, much to the delight of his fans.

Kirmis, a volunteer at Vancouver’s Greyhaven Exotic Bird Sanctuary, has a total of 17 bird companions, including five budgies, two cockatiels, two parrotlets, and a 50-year-old Amazon parrot named Sonny. Each bird has their own unique personality, from the feisty Betty to the bossy Mildred and the cuddly Winston. Among them all, Bruce stands out as a social media influencer, a mukbang star, an artist, and even a philanthropist. Proceeds from Bruce’s art books, “Bruce’s Berry Good Art” and “Bruce In His Berry Eating Dome,” go towards supporting bird sanctuaries like Greyhaven and The Nest.

While the antics of Bruce and his feathered friends may seem entertaining on social media, Kirmis emphasizes the challenges of caring for birds, especially those with health issues. Bruce, for example, has heart and liver problems and cataracts in both eyes, while Sonny requires eight medications a day due to his age-related health issues. The level of care and attention required for these birds is akin to caring for family members, with daily feeding, fresh water, and bird-proofing the house to ensure their safety.

Despite the demands of caring for her flock, Kirmis finds joy in their company and the unique experiences they bring to her life. From Elvis, her first budgie in 2003, to the lively personalities of her current feathered companions, each bird has left a lasting impact on her life. Without them, Kirmis admits that her life would be far less exciting and fulfilling.

As Kirmis continues to share the adventures of Bruce and the rest of her flock on social media, she hopes to educate others about the joys and challenges of bird ownership. Through her lighthearted posts and heartwarming stories, she aims to inspire others to consider the responsibilities and rewards of caring for these feathered friends.