Wool and Feathers

The day of Shane's funeral, I had a profound experience. I opened the van door and a sparrow flew out of the back seat. He flew up, hovered, and then flew out the front window. Sparrows were, for us, a symbol for trust. My most recent painting ...and Still We Rise, featured two sparrows. one grounded on a Gothic windowsill, the other ascending, and so when that bird looked me in the eye that day, it was more than coincidence.

So sparrows, it is, and a new medium: wool. The texture, the smell, is comfort. I had always dreamed of having sheep, and when it became evident that we couldn't maintain our whole yard and creek bank like we used to, Shane made sure I got my sheep. He lined up our neighbors, Scott and Melissa, who volunteered to get our fence ready, and Carla and Van brought two beautiful Suffolk spring lambs. We found a year old Great Pyrenees at the animal shelter, and my son and nephew built a sturdy shed. So, in spite of all the other difficulties, this came together, and it was only natural to make birds with the wool, I'll share more soon, I'm having all kinds of fun learning a new medium. 

Kyman and Connar squaring up the roof

Mae and Bell, our lovely Suffolk ladies with TAILS!

Thor, protector of the sheep