Monday, February 29, 2016

Crows and Other Aves

Flying the Black Flag of Himself, Oil on Board, 12" x 12"
American crows are all black, even the legs and bill.  But the light reflects colors that appear blue, purple, gray.  When they molt the feathers can appear brownish.  This fellow is not molting.  They sometime appear squat to me with their thick neck and short, round, squared off tail, which seems to short for such a big bold guy.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Crows and Other Aves

4 Paintings, Oil on Board, 12" x 12" 
I love watching the crows come through our yard. They are so boisterous, and can show up seconds after food is tossed  on the ground.  One always comes alone sounding loudly, "food, food, food".  That scout stands strong in the trees watchful for any threat and caws, "all clear'.  When they flock their broad silhouettes are striking.  There very presence electrifies the air and seems to vibrate all around them.  

Crows are present in much folklore, myth and visual arts.  If you were to include ravens and blackbirds the list would grow.  My favorite piece of crow literature is the poem Crow: From the Life and Songs of the Crow by Ted Hughes.