This painting was created over two other paintings underneath.  The first underpainting was a swirly abstract, and over that was a painting of a beetle. Finally the bird shape was created by adding paint around the edge and leaving the two underpaintings showing as the body of the bird, and I also did some work to rub away at the painting to reveal the layers.  I am really happy with the overall effect - even though its an experiment !  

The painting is signed on the side edge, and also painting on the side edge. No frame is needed and its ready to hang.