Dead Baby Birds and Weird Portraits

There are certain objects that repeat themselves in my paintings.

Leaves, ribbons, crumbling stone, bits of string.. and the occasional dead baby bird.

I call this painting, “Lullaby”.. because that’s what it is.

Many years ago, I painted a portrait of my sister for a Christmas present. She was thrilled, but demanded that I leave off her glasses – and warned me not to do anything “weird” to her.

Suffice it to say, I did what I wanted.. and did not let her look at it until it was done.

When she saw the painting, she looked at me and shouted: “A DEAD BABY CHICKEN! WHY??”

She didn’t even notice the mouse.

I am happy to say that after the initial shock, she has come to really love her portrait..

but I still wish she had let me paint her with glasses.