Raven Narratives

Hi, I'm still here! 

Still making art and still scrambling about trying to make sense of a thing or two but, apparently, not reporting on it much.  So it's nice to finally be sitting down to say hello and I hope you've been up to the same... making things and making sense of things. 

I'm keeping it on the news-y side today because I have some fun bits to share with you!  And I'll be back in touch soon with more that's just been floating around in my head... which of course I can't help but share too.

Right now, though, I must say our Four Corners kin the ravens have soared into my life in a big way this summer.  It all started the day I pulled my car up to the curb in front of my house just in time to see a Cooper's hawk, hot on the tail of a dove, crash into the low branches of my neighbor's tree just 15 feet in front of me.  They tumbled out onto the street where the hawk grabbed the dove and was about to take off when a pack of three ravens swooped in, squawking crazily, and chased the hawk with dove down the street, all of them flying just inches above the pavement, until the the hawk dropped the dove shedding weight so it could escape those crazy ravens in pursuit.  And off they all flew and there I sat wrapping my mind around the bird whirlwind that just set down in front of me.

I have no idea what prompted the ravens to intervene when and how they did, but it sure was an exciting thing to witness.  And I should have taken it as a sign of some sort because the next thing I knew I was doing this:

No hawks or doves but a whole flock of ravens floating above some high desert yucca, gracing John Willard's house on Montezuma Ave. here in Cortez.  I've been spending my afternoons painting away since the end of June and just today finished the last bird.  It's been such a fun project I hate to have it end. 

A huge thank you to John for the idea and the venue!  And also a great big thank you to Chris Belt and Belt Salvage for the loan of the scaffolding which kept me eye to eye with the birds.  Also thanks to all the friends who stopped by to check things out... it was fun to see you!

Next time you're heading west on Montezuma keep an eye out... the mural will be on your right on the block between Market and Chestnut.

I couldn't be happier ravens took up roost with me this summer and I'm hopeful they keep circling.  They always make my heart light.  I'd love to hear from you... a raven story or just a thought.

All my best to you,

Rosie