When crows are foraging on the ground there is a watcher crow who is on the lookout for dangers to keep the murder protected. During nesting season, the watcher sits aloft a tree and watches the sky for flying predators. If the watcher becomes aware of a threat it will give a warning call so that all the crows can scatter and remove themselves from the threat. This is an essential role in the safety of the murder they are the guardians. Sometimes they look sinister.
Crows have many myths about them across many countries and cultures. For this piece I am using some of the crows more ominous interpretations; as the harbinger of an ending, death or justice.
There are many ways you can read the story written behind my redactions. I offer the opportunity for you to create your own; for each of us the story is different. The outcomes remain to be seen. In the meantime, we are waiting and watching.
It is telling that the base of this tombstone has weeds growing amongst rocks. What or who is buried here? Does the word soon suggest a death, a reckoning, or both?
My story is short and redacted.
I am especially fond of the expression on this crow’s face.
To create this piece, I used a variety of fabrics; the background is a digitally printed silk. The image comprised of my photographs of rainbows and evening skies. The tombstone and weeds were made using botanically printed fabrics, rust was the mordant. The text was painted. The font is called monstrosity. The redaction cloth is a commercial fabric.
23 x 39.5
This piece completes my crow series.
Jacque I have so enjoyed seeing your quilts featuring crows. They’re a wonderful collection!
A few years back we moved house and we have a family of crows living in trees next door.
I have been delighted watching them and their antics. We have big groups who seem to come together at the beach each morning to see what they can scavenge along the tide line.
Janine I appreciate your comment. I love knowing you are watching crows and enjoying their funny habits and movements. Do you have a “hopper” ? I put out a birdbath for the crows this summer and bath time is hilarious to watch.
Thank you Christie… I am sad to end the series. Although I’ll continue to make a crow here and there on a smaller scale. Crows are endlessly entertaining so much inspiration. I am not sure where I’ll head next but the Stellar Jays are pretty gorgeous
I love that you know so much about these fascinating birds. How do you feel about coming to the end of a series? I’m sure many of us will have the same association with redactions, but there are many possible interpretations. Great quilt!