Multiple Panel - The Observer

The Observer

Charcoal on Charcoal and Bristol paper. Fishing hooks. Fishing line. 

6 ft. Wide x 5.3 ft. Height.

\/  Details Photos \/

\/ Artist Statement \/

        The Observer is an example of the natural world that I see and interact with daily. My love and appreciation towards animals are from my personal experience of living on a farm, where I have many interactions with wildlife. The Observer in question is a Great Blue Heron, my personal favorite of birds that I see at home. These large, magnificent birds are found near marshes and other shallow waters hunting patiently for fish, amphibians, snakes, and sometimes small rodents. I chose the Great Blue Heron because of its unwavering patience and watchful eyes that observe the surroundings.  

There are times when we get a call informing us that cattle have gotten out during the night, and we must retrieve them as soon as possible, often right after the call. During these nighttime drives, we will see other animals such as White Tail Deer, Raccoons, Opossums, and our own horses and cows. The multiple charcoal drawings hanging beneath the wings of the heron depict these mentioned animals that I have observed through trail cameras and going outside during the night. Their eyes reflect to us, a sign that they know we are there, and they are comfortable yet apprehensive with our presence. These images of animals hanging by fishing lines and fishing hooks act as a commemoration of family ties and memories of fishing with my grandfather. My grandfather, who I call Papa, is the reason for my love of animals, and my love of working on the land. 

The Observer is meant to show the oppressive quiet the night can emanate and how even in the dark you can feel a sense of calm while being watched by the animals. However, it is notable that not everyone that goes outside at night feels the same calmness that I have discussed. Since I live in the woods, I am constantly surrounded by trees, ponds, animals of all species, and the ever-present state of natural quiet. Even though the “quiet” of the night is often filled with sounds of Cicadas, Crickets, Frogs, and other creatures active at night, it is a quiet found in nature. In this quiet, I find myself in the utmost peace surrounded by the sounds and watchers of the night.  

\/ In process \/

Reflection/Notes:

        The heron is taped together panels of charcoal paper. The smaller images of animals are Bristol paper that has the edges ripped to create an organic border. 

        I chose to use charcoal due to its ability to be more forgiving as a medium as well as its ability to create darker images, making it easier to achieve a nighttime scene.

        I used water to spread the charcoal and to make it adhere to the paper more in order to create a darker layer with a lower chance of smudging. I used both compressed and vine charcoal. For the details I used different erasers (Pink Pearl, Staedtler, and an electric eraser) to get the different quality of highlights I was trying to achieve.