making - part one

The natural world has always inspired my art making, and is almost always the starting point for a new piece. This first in a series of posts is my process from starting point to finished piece of art.

The jackdaws near me have always been noisy neighbours. In the winter they like to congregate in a large willow tree in a garden on my block. Many of them nest in another tree near to the local shop, and they are currently collecting nesting material from the streets and gardens around. This winter I have been enjoying watching them on windy days, playing in the air. The joy and exuberance of their game, soaring and chasing through the air, is beautiful.

Like other corvids, jackdaws are highly intelligent, so the fact that they play is not surprising. They also live in social groups, mating for life, and nesting in colonies. Older nestlings help care for younger siblings, and adults whose eggs have failed to hatch support other family units.

I love how these social networks interact, and watching these birds playing together feels like a glimpse into lives that are not unlike our own.