A Goldfinch

With this watercolor, I was playing with rectangular
shapes as background.  I would like your feedback
on this......Does the rectangular shape enhance the
composition or distract from it.  I am worried that
this goldfinch is to much like a cardboard cutout
also.......I am trying for a looser style of painting, but
it seems to come out as an illustration nonetheless.
I am a frustrated artist at the moment. 

Remember, I am looking for an honest critique
to help me move forward....go lightly on the "beautiful"
please.