Small Dead Bird by Spence Guerin

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Small Dead Bird, 2021

oil on linen on wood panel

6 x 6 x 0.875 in

Inv: SG-2038

This tiny dead bird is very nearly actual life size in this painting. The bird was picked up off the sidewalk below a storefront window in downtown Palmer, Alaska, and kept inside the artist's step van mobile studio in the cool late summer weather, while the artist intently worked on this painting. When at last the smell became too close to nauseating, the artist had done what he could to honor the lovely little creature and work ended. He placed the bird, now in advancing decay, into a place for ravens to continue nature's recycle work. / The artist cherishes this small painting. 'Why do you paint a dead bird, instead of a live one?' a friend asked. 'Because I can have the dead bird in front of me and examine him for days, a week, maybe more, but I cannot do that with a live one (of this species). And I do not wish to do an illustration -- as most bird paintings become,' the artist replied. / What a wonderful thing it is to see a bird up close, usually for the shortest fleeting instance! They are amazing and beautiful, more so than one would expect! If only he would stay, for hours and for days and weeks -- to allow an artist to draw and paint and resurrect him or her, but that's way too much to ask of a live bird. So...

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From Spence Guerin

Downtown Palmer, Alaska, with Water Tower and Bicycle Rider, 2021

oil on linen on board

6 x 6 x 0.75 in
Propane Light in the Cabin, 2021

oil on linen

9 x 9 in
Fishing Skiff, Dog Bay, Kodiak, Alaska, 1989

Alkyd on hardboard

4 x 5 in
Juneau, Alaska (Unfinished), 1989

Alkyd on hardboard

8 x 10 in
Ken's Dead Buck, c. 1986

oil on hardboard panel

6.3125 x 8.875 in
Deb in Tub, 1985

Brush & Ink wash on hardboard

24 x 18 in
Depression, 1985

Acrylic on Hardboard Panel

24 x 18 in
TV News Journalist with Helicopter, 1985

Acrylic on Hardboard Panel

24 x 18 in

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Additional Details

Additional Artworks

Downtown Palmer, Alaska, with Water Tower and Bicycle Rider, 2021

Propane Light in the Cabin, 2021

Fishing Skiff, Dog Bay, Kodiak, Alaska, 1989

Juneau, Alaska (Unfinished), 1989

Ken's Dead Buck, c. 1986

Deb in Tub, 1985

Depression, 1985

TV News Journalist with Helicopter, 1985