The blackbird has a special meaning to me and to my artwork. The creature is a totem of sorts, having a presence infused with knowledge and wisdom. I like to let him pose the questions in my work – whatever they may be.
"My visual storytelling took the form of the paintbrush bringing the blackbird to life."
Concept
The beginning idea was to depict a blackbird coming to life through a paintbrush. My best friend in the arts, Dennis, cut the handle of a brush to use in this piece. I glued it to the canvas and added a watercolor blackbird I had painted and cut out. But the bird didn't feel right - I needed the bird to spring from the brush.
Changing the blackbird
I painted another watercolor blackbird, this time focusing on it flying upward. Hoping to show its joy on becoming alive, I added the glimpse of a smile – if birds can smile! I also made the bird much darker. In the final painting, I added white highlights on its head and wings.
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Changing the background
To create the sense of movement of wings, I made the blackground reflect the air waves, darkening the overall landscape to emphasize the bird's exuberance at coming alive. I placed the watercolor cutout of the bird over the top of the paintbrush to more powerfully show its genesis. I intentionally left the wingtips "loose", rising from the canvas.
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Detail: the brush
The paintbrush, in its role as a life-giving source, reflects both colors: the black of the bird and the white highlights of the lifeforce. I used this dramatic color contrast to give a strong sense of spirit and movement.