01 February 2009

Proof of Life

There is a tiny little sparrow who visits me. She comes to my ledge for crumbs of crackers and crumbles of peanut. She has a perfect little face, and a perfect little chirp.

But at some point in her little life something happened to her, something catastrophic. Part of her right foot is missing, and what's left is partially smished. And when I see her I think about what makes all of us who we are.
That it's those dings and scratches, wrinkles and freckles that make us interesting. They tell a story - this creature lived.
This little bird was drawn with a pencil, and then coloured in with red ink and then wetted...I took a photo of it, and put it in my paintshop pro, and smoothed out the outlines, and darkened them. (and then made the background which is entirely digital).

14 comments:

Renee said...

Very neat. Damaged just like me.

xoxo

Cindy said...

She's beautiful. I love the deep color and the gray background.

And her story. So real. Thanks!

valerie walsh said...

very beautiful and deeply touching :)

° said...

we all have our flaws its how we deal with em that make us who we are, seems ur lil friend has done rather well. nice post and drawing. ack i gotta sign in

Matt D said...

What you say here is just right. Thank you.

Joe Jubinville said...

She used to be a drab gray, since the accident, she's a gorgeous cranberry.

Inside or out, "without a hurt, the heart is hollow..."

tsu-mina said...

What a nice story and illustration! I like so much the colour of this sparrow.

lissa said...

I think life does more damages to you than you want it to but I like war wounds/scars, it shows I've live

what you said is so true

Patia said...

Lovely.

I think most of us are damaged in some way.

Catnapping said...

I'm hoping to tame this little bird, because I don't think the other birds are so kind to her.

I've seen them chase and peck at her when they're around. It might be why she dares to come so close...she's hungry, I think.

She hops on one foot, but rests on both. I have tried a few times to take a photo, but she starts when I pull it out...and once when I got to an actual click, she wasn't in the picture!

She's the perfect metaphor for wear and tear. She has a spot on the left side of her head that's missing feathers, but that might be from the other birds picking at her...I've seen that before in a finch...years ago in student housing.

It reads as though we are all in agreement that it is the pains of life that make us better people. We are all "damaged." And what dull cardboard stand-ups we'd be otherwise.

tsduff said...

Your sparrow reminds me of the wren which visits daily, looking for droppings from the suet block...brash and bold. I love your portrayal - always cuts to the quick. Thanks Hon.

Marion said...

Thank you for visiting.

I think your artwork is special because you use these rich, full colors and at the same time create a quiet peacefull image... like this one...

Mick said...

Pass the kleenex please!

studio lolo said...

yep, we all have broken places.

I love the image of Sparrow visiting Cat.
And this image of her so vibrant in spite of her scars.

A victor, not a victim ;)
XX