Shortly after I met my husband, he discovered a trick to distract me if I was upset about something. He’d say, “Look at the bird!” Of course, this only worked when a bird was around, but it did work, and we were around birds pretty often.
He had been doing this for a while before I figured out what he was up to. We were in the Kaunakakai laundromat on Moloka’i, and I don’t remember what was bothering me, but suddenly, he said, “Look at the bird!” He pointed to a male house sparrow standing near a small puddle of water in the parking lot. The little bird — in fact, the whole situation — was so ridiculously ordinary that his strategy became obvious. I got mad for a second; then it was funny.
More recently, this cheeky little sparrow was trying to get my attention outside Toby’s Feed Barn in Pt. Reyes Station. He charmed me even though he was clearly there for my lemon shortbread cookie, not because he was concerned for my mental health.
I was almost finished with my portrait of this guy before I remembered the original house sparrow and what he meant to me. Then it all came together. Leaning in, he could be asking, “Hey, are you okay?” just as easily as “Got more crumbs?”
I hope this piece goes out into the world as a reminder that there’s always someone who cares. And will be happy to share your cookies.
“Just Checking on You” is 14 x 14 inches, acrylic, spray paint, vintage and other papers, masking tape, crayon, pen, and pencil on a wood panel in a black floater frame.
Update: In the few hours between publishing this post and MailChimp sending it out by email, he found a wonderful home; the portrait is sold.
What’s Next?
Palomacy’s director, Elizabeth, sent me this poignant photo of recent rescue Puff Berry. I see an old soul in this little bird and want her to be the next scrap board pigeon.
Part of me wonders why I keep making these giant pigeon portraits if they’re just going to languish under sheets in the space between my studio couch and the wall. One of them has found a home, but I still have Steve, Lucito, and Jacob.
The answer is because I want to. Their size challenges and energizes me. Other people say they feel and see the energy in them, too. They have big personalities, especially when seen in person. When the time is right, I really want to find a good place to show them all together. I’m open to suggestions if you have any ideas about where that might be!
Giveaway Updates
January 2024 winner! I was excited to send the post-it flock print to Monika B. yesterday. Thank you to everyone who reached out to enter the giveaway. If you didn’t win, I hope you’ll try again next time!
The next giveaway is in April. I’ll hold the next giveaway at the end of April for a set of my fridge magnets featuring Lucito, Steve, Dandelion Puff, and Emily. As a reminder, here’s how to let me know you want to enter:
- If you’re getting this post in your email inbox, hit reply.
- If you’re reading this post online, send me a note.
I love hearing from you!
