The Opportunist

Laurie Roodt

A child absorbed in activity and a watchful black-and-white bird bring curiosity and quiet mischief to a sunlit scene.

In The Opportunist, Laurie Roodt depicts a young child bending beside the wheel of a pale vehicle, while a bird stands nearby. A patterned dress, warm skin tones and deep shadows contrast with the golden ground, with loose, textured brushwork giving the scene warmth and immediacy.

Part of her Kinder Tribe series, the painting explores childhood and the changing expectations surrounding it across generations. The child’s concentration and the bird’s attentive presence leave the story open, inviting memories of outdoor play, freedom and unexpected companions.

Its horizontal format would bring warmth and narrative interest to a living room, entranceway or space above a sideboard, complementing natural timber, soft neutrals and collected objects.

Nostalgic · Curious · Expressive
Oil on aluminium · 77 cm wide × 60.9 cm high · 2025
Some room images show The Opportunist alongside other works by Laurie Roodt. Each artwork is sold individually.