This painting has had a extremely long journey!!! It started out with a different design over 3 years ago. I had this idea in my head, with no imagery to match my idea. So there are many pages of drawings in sketchbooks, on napkins and wrappers with sketches of fox, rabbits and crows/ravens. Might be nice to gather them up and put them in one place; just a thought.
As I said, I started with one design and then painted over the design, thinking it was too controlled and static and a little too sweet. After the canvas was painted over, this same canvas stared at me as I worked on other paintings; giving me a constant poke in the side, for over a year. I kept sketching. Then last spring, I sketched my ideas on the canvas using oil sticks. I did not intend to leave as many birds in as I did, but they seemed to be watching and weighing in on the action so I left them in. I liked the sketchy look, and wanted to maintain it but did loose some of that, as the painting developed. Then in March and April, I set to work to bring it across the finish line. I even self-isolated to work on it for 3 days straight, Ok not quite isolated, I was at my sister's cabin. My sister is an artist as well. ( LuAnn Widergren).
So here it is, April 2026 and I am declaring it done. It has been an emotionally draining and exhilarating trip at the same time. There was a thought or two, that maybe I need a counseling session in regards to this painting. It took on a life of its own and I felt somewhat obsessed by it and in its grip..
I hope to start another that is of the same subject matter but with less emotional "rollercoastering" .I hope you enjoy!
