Inquiring minds sometimes ask: Why nests? Why eggs? Why twining twigs and grasses?
It began with birds... the chicken was definitely before the egg for me.
Birds have always been magical and fascinating friends. Once while I hid in the sheltering branches of a sizable yew during a childhood game of hide and seek, a flock of cedar waxwings surrounded the tree, feasting on ripe berries. Sleek olive feathers and waxy red tips on the wings... a slightly scary mask over beady eyes as they gobbled juicy red berries... all very memorable for a five year old.
When I lived on a sage brush studded desert mesa near Taos, New Mexico I drew many, soaring ravens in pen and ink, and painted large still lifes with feathers and other treasures. At UNM my drawings often included entangled threads and grasses. So strange to think of now, that I have been nurturing this imagery for so long.
Then while in residency at the Vermont Studio Center I brought along an Audubon Field Guide of Nests, and simultaneously undertook a study of transparent acrylic, and the architecture of the nest of a Common Yellowthroat, an elusive, tiny, bright yellow bird. They are always thrilling to discover in the underbrush.
Time to head in to the studio. It's getting light out already.