Edgar started it all…
I have been around birds my entire life. From a young age I watched as my father nursed, studied and rehabilitated many types of feathered creatures. Suffice it to say that his passion for birds had a profound impact on me. I love all sorts of birds but I have had a deep reverence for ravens and crows since I was a young girl.
I’ve also helped to rehabilitate and release many birds over the years. Geese, cardinals, pigeons, hummingbirds, cedar waxwings, grouse, and woodpeckers just to name a few. It’s a good feeling to be able to help them and even more rewarding watching them being released. When the level of care for these birds is outside of my scope, I make the 6 hour drive to a rehabilitation centre that specializes in birds.
When a young raven entered my life, it changed me forever. With the aid of my go to wildlife sanctuary, we nursed him back to health and he was later released on our property close to where he was found. This magnificent creature who I named Edgar, stuck around my home and property and I looked forward to his daily visits and sightings. He would eventually start flying up to my window every morning at 5:30 am and wake me up by yelling “Ahwah”, which was his name for me. Over a period of time, we developed an incredible bond and friendship. He was free to come and go as he pleased, but also let me know when he wanted to hang out. Our morning chats over coffee were the best. ( Me with a piping hot coffee and Edgar with his mug of runny scrambled eggs)
I was absolutely devastated when I lost him to a bird of prey. I spiralled into a deep depression and I could not function properly or get him out of my mind. Many months after his passing, I went to bed with his image in mind. The heavy fog of his loss only lifted once I started painting ravens, which I did that following morning. My friends tell me that I tapped into something special that night, as I hadn’t picked up a paint brush in over 30 years and my artistic ability was marginal at best. I also had never worked with oils and failed my senior year in art. What came out surprised even me. I created a series of 7 paintings of ravens, while I was processing all the emotions that I was feeling subsequent to the loss. The cathartic effect and emotional release was such a powerful tool for my healing and personal growth. I believe that Edgar revealed a gift. What I like to refer to as my “caw-ling” or life’s purpose and I am deeply grateful and humbled by this experience.
The owners of our local coffee shop thought that I should consider displaying some of my pieces in their cafe, even though they were intended for my eyes only. I was very reluctant at first and kept putting it off, but I finally agreed to be their featured artist for November 2023. Since I was not interested in parting with any of them, I added NFS notes next to the titles on the header cards. The response I received from patrons was astonishing and I was so grateful for the enthusiastic embrace. I had many inquiries to purchase my paintings, even though it was known that they were not for sale. I did not part with any of those original pieces as they are an integral part of my story and journey.
I have had my work in a few galleries since, and today I continue to create raven and crow pieces that speak to me. I also look forward to giving my new pieces wing and seeing them land with those who resonate with them.
Once a year I will take on a couple of raven or crow commissions, and I am excited to share these beautiful and soulful stories with you soon.
- Sonia
