Blog

A rare bird is an expression we’ve all heard before and the definition is that of something unusual. Well the subject of my latest painting is literally a rare bird. Here’s how it began. 

I was out and about on a beautiful sunny day and I decided to stop at a local park that is known to have many ducks and geese. It had been a long while since I was there and I thought I could use some fresh photo references for my paintings. As I was photographing some geese this grey bird landed on the rocks beside me. I took a few shots and wondered what it was, I had assumed a gull of sorts because of the colouring, but when I looked at its feet they were not that of a gull.

When I got home I got out the bird book and began the search.....nothing. I wondered if crows could be a different colour, lacking the dark pigment and as it turns out, yes they can. This bird is a leucistic crow that apparently is a resident of the area. Leucism (LUKE-ism) is an abnormal genetic condition that results in pale colouring either in patches or as in the case of this crow the overall feathers. This is different from albinism. It is rare condition but less rare than albinism. In any case it was a treat to be able to see this bird up close and personal. It is also became the subject of my latest painting.

The greys of this crow were very soft and had a light iridescence to the feathers. Even the personality of this crow even seemed gentler than your average black crow but that was just my first impression, I could be wrong. The next time I’m at the park I will be on the lookout for this crow. I hope you enjoy the painting and the background of it. 

Today was not my usual routine, and that’s something to celebrate these days! Today I was installing a good body of my artwork in the windows of a historic hotel in the downtown area of my city.  This hotel decided to use the windows of their banquet area (that can’t be used presently) to display art from local artists.  Given the fact that the pandemic has changed where artists are able to show their art, the hotel had an overwhelming response. My artwork is showing for the month of March. 

I needed a plan, so in February I checked out the space.  I wanted to be able to display  some smaller works but I would need to go up vertically to do that.  It meant building some stands to make it possible.  I figured out a way to do it and was able to use wood I already had (bonus).  I then tested the system in my living room windows to be sure it would work and it seemed like it would. 

Next I had to figure how to display the exhibit labels by the artwork but not taped to the window. It’s so different when you’re not hanging all this on a wall. I needed to devise a clip that would hold the label to the art without damaging it.  Voila!  After an evening session of pulling out many things from all over the house, I found a solution. 

Today was the day to pull it all together. About an hour later it was done and I was overall pleased.  It adds a bit of colour to the area and already people were looking at the art as they walked by. My husband even went back later to give a quick wash to the outside of the windows so the art would look its best. His way of being a supporter of the arts. 

I hope that people will enjoy the art and it will make them feel happy and bring a smile to their face as they go by. It is often underestimated the positive effect art can have on us.  I say go find some art and enjoy, hopefully you don’t have to look too hard to find some.