Winter Robin

"Winter Robin"
11x14" mixed media on paper

I first heard the robin in December and thought it couldn’t be. Then on a snowy day, perched on a branch outside my window the telltale red breast and dark head were spotted, confirming what my ears had heard. Winter Robin sat hunched and sunk into a puffed up parka-like presence. I marvelled at this out of season visitor and surmised all kinds of reasons it was here: lost, a late bloomer, injured? It was seen on and off through some of our coldest January days. Yesterday, robin was spotted flitting from branch to branch, stopping once to peer in the window as I peered out, seemingly hearty and hale, and flashing a bright eye. What a reminder of endurance and hope of things to come!

"Local Branch Exchange"

Local Branch Exchange
11x14" mixed media on paper

When the days are cold the Junco’s congregate around the outdoor feeders. It reminds me of water cooler exchanges at an office. I wonder, are they like most Canadians discussing the weather? Catching sight of them softens the frosty vista of a winter morning.

The Invitation

"The Invitation"
11x14" mixed media on paper

It's a new year, a new invitation.

Crow in a Beech Tree

"Crow in a Beech Tree"
11x14" mixed media on paper

It is January 2022 and in Ontario we are in another stage of lockdown. It is a depressing, hard reality. A recent sighting of a crow amidst the flapping yellow leaves of a beech tree led me to ponder the gift of unexpected colour contrasts in hard seasons, the tenacity of nature, and the symbolism of both crows and beeches. A beech tree is an ancient symbol of protection, associated with knowledge and wisdom, a keeper of lore. While a crow has many symbols, one that resonates with my observations is that of trickery. Crow is a trickster and a gossip, cannot keep a secret, will always sound the alarm, and is incredibly clever and resourceful. While it is associated with chaos it is also known as an innovator, and can bring about change. So I scribble and paint a crow amid the beech leaves and pray for continued protection, tenacity, wisdom, innovation, and change for the world that frees us from pandemic tyranny.