When I found out the theme for this week's Art Challenge was "Birds", I couldn't resist, despite the fact that I'm busy trying to build a new website (trying is the operative word here), and I've got tons of yard work and gardening to do, not to mention the normal everyday stuff to keep up with. But it's BIRDS, you know? If you've followed my blog for very long, or looked at my website, it's pretty obvious that birds are a very important part of my symbolic vocabulary. In fact, I did two long posts about birds in art, which you can read here and here, if you're so inclined.
So I thought I'd maybe just take one of my old collages that didn't work out, since pretty much all of them have birds on them, re-work it here and there, and voila! - a new bird collage. Nope. Ideas started whirling around in my head and I found myself starting a whole new collage, which I knew I wouldn't be able to finish in time for the challenge.
Work in progress: When I Was a Bird
But luckily, no one in this lovely group of artists cares much about deadlines or rules, so I'm posting what I've got so far. There's a lot more work ahead, but I think the basic bones of the composition are in place, and you can get an idea of where it's going. I will be sharing my progress here, so check back in a few day for an update!
Eric Adama of Cerulean is our kind host, so head over to his blog for the links to more bird art!
I have been on medical leave from my job for some time now, and so spend most of my days alone. I do have some company, though. Some are intermittent visitors...
...while others are my constant companions -
Sebastian,
Sophie,
Scout,
Arlo,
(I worry about them being comfortable enough, don't you?),
and Sunny (who is sticking his black tongue out at me for some reason!).
Happy days to you and your companions, whoever they may be!
Made from bits and pieces that were lying about on my drafting table and studio floor. Hope you enjoy, and on this Solstice day, I wish you all a very blessed and happy holiday season!
Once again, I bring you further evidence that art can never be too full of birds. In my last post, we looked at the origin of birds in art, and some early examples as well as a few contemporary ones. These are all contemporary, spanning a wide range of styles, methods, and media.
Fred Tomaselli, Big Raven
I think his process is fascinating...
Fred Tomaselli, Work in Progress
A free bird leaps on the back of the wind and floats downstream till the current ends and dips his wing in the orange suns rays and dares to claim the sky... ... But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing... - Maya Angelou, excerpt from I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Some birds are not meant to be caged, that's all. Their feathers are too bright, their songs too sweet and wild. So you let them go, or when you open the cage to feed them they somehow fly out past you. And the part of you that knows it was wrong to imprison them in the first place rejoices, but still, the place where you live is that much more drab and empty for thier departure.
-Stephen King, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption: A Story from Different Seasons
Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn't people feel as free to delight in whatever sunlight remains to them? - Rose Kennady
And then, just when you think you've seen it all, there's the uniquely exquisite work of Chris Maynard, who actually cuts tiny bird compositions from feathers. How he does it is beyond me; I'd surely be pulling my hair out in frustration if I tried something like this. I'm pretty sure it's done by magic; I think you'll agree.
According to the artist, "Feathers mark nature's pinnacle of achievement: the intersection of function and beauty."To find out more about Chris and his work, including where he gets the feathers, go here.
I love this piece, entitled, "I Wish I could Fly", but don't know who the artist is. If you do, please let me know; I would like to credit him/her. [ Update: The artist who made this piece contacted me; I'm happy to now be able to tell you that it was done by South African artist Nicolette Geldenhuys.] I wish I could fly, too- don't we all? I guess that's why humans are so enamored with these graceful, gravity-defying creatures. But unfortunately, we can't. So whenever you feel sad and blue, just do what I do...
Some of you may recall that I began writing and illustrating a story some time last year. The rough draft of the story has been essentially finished for a while now, but the illustrations have been put on the back burner because I just have so many other things going on. The first two illustrations can be seen here and here. The third illustration I've done is from further on in the story, due to the fact that it's actually the first one I did.
The Separation of Raven and Crane
As I worked on this piece, the story began to take form in my head. Where it came from, I'm not sure; it's almost as if it had a life of its own, and was only waiting for me to put it on paper. This piece depicts the point in the story where Raven and Crane decide to go their separate ways. There are many things that happen in between, with illustrations that are yet to be done. I have just started working on "Crane Creates the Day".
I decided to share this with you because I've entered these three pieces in an exhibit; if accepted, The Separation of Raven and Crane will be seen out of order anyway. And who knows how long it will be before those in-between pieces will be created? Not me.
This past week was our first week back after winter break, and, as luck would have it, our first real snow of the winter. Consequently, we actually had only two days of school, which is a nice way to ease back into it, in my opinion!
It's so cold, Arlo is willing to cuddle up with Sophie, despite the risk of getting his nose scratched!
Now, granted, what qualifies as real snow in Kentucky might seem laughable to some of you; we had four to five inches. Okay, I can hear you laughing. However, like much of the country, we've had record-breaking cold temperatures, so the snow on the side streets that weren't cleared just froze. School buses don't skate well.
One of my favorite gifts this Christmas was this fantastic bird feeder, from my sister-in-law, Donna. It had not been in use very long when the snow hit, so naturally I was out on the back porch taking photos like mad until my finger was too frozen to push the shutter button.
The birds had white beaks from digging down into the snow to find seeds...
The cadmium red cardinals were so unbelievably bright against the white of the snow; they were almost orange.
This little guy was adorable! I'll have to look this up, but I think he's a titmouse?
I'll have to look this one up as well...
A female red-head woodpecker- apparently she lets her mate wear the pretty red hat, but he refused to pose for me.
Another cardinal waits in the tree for his turn at the food...
while his mate says, "Come on, hurry up!" or maybe, "Back off, it's all mine!"
The dogs get all revved up when it's cold outside, just like kids playing in the snow.
Arlo runs through the snow like a little maniac!
It's too cold to stay out for long, though. Sunny stands on his hind legs and peeks in the back door window when they want in...
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