A Royal Bevy
royal, adjective, \ ̍r ȯ I(-ə)l\
1a: of kingly ancestry
1b: of, relating to the crown
bevy, noun, \̍be-vē\
1: a large group or collection
2: a group of animals and especially quail
Merriam Webster
As unlikely as it seems, my bird series started with a collection of cherished, vintage picture frames. I acquired them by combing through flea markets, garage sales, and dumps. Given their size and shape, the frames presumably held portraits, perhaps of loved ones, or well-respected ancestors. They imparted dignity and respect; they conveyed affluence and prosperity. At one time, they were valuable and might have given a certain status to the homeowners whose walls they adorned. I found them totally abandoned, forlorn. I wanted to reuse my frames to confer those same properties onto new images. My questions were . . . What images were worthy of these noble frames? What portraits would be stately, commanding dignity and respect? Birds immediately came to mind. They are beautiful, regal creatures. About the same time, I found some old scratchboard lying around my studio. I knew it could be used to produce striking, graphic images with intricate line work. It would be useful in depicting beaks and feathers alike. I scratched feverishly for many months making an assortment of birds, then crowned them adding a touch of royalty. Now framed, they number almost thirty. Those old, empty picture frames now hold a whole bevy of birds, a Royal Bevy. The original bevy was exhibited with Annika Lindfor's graphite drawings in Into the Woods at the Dana L. Wiley Gallery in Dayton, Ohio from October through December 2020.
2020
American Monarch
33" x 26"
Scratchboard with collage
in vintage frame

2020
A Parroting of Sorts - SOLD
29" x 35"
Scratchboard with collage in vintage frame

2020
Noble Sage
25" x 29"
Scratchboard with collage in vintage frame

2020
Nicobar Pigeon with Whimsical
Hackles and Crown
22 1/2" x 19"
Scratchboard with collage in vintage frame

2020
Resting on Her Laurels
19 3/4" diameter
Scratchboard with collage in vintage frame

2020
Royal Flycatcher
16 1/4" x 14 1/2"
Scratchboard with collage in vintage frame

2020
King Crow
18" x 21"
Scratchboard with collage in vintage frame

2020
Mourning Majesty SOLD
11 1/2" x 13"
Scratchboard in vintage frame

2019
Emblematic
24" diameter
Scratchboard in vintage
clock frame
Emblematic received a merit award
from Stella's Art Gallery,
Mentor, Ohio
January, 2020

2020
Three Blue Eggs in a Nest
with a Feather
16 1/2" x 10 3/4"
Scratchboard with collage
in clock box door

2020
Which Came First?
14 " x 7 1/2"
Scratchboard with collage
in clock box door

2020
A Prosperous Time Is Near
14" x 5/8"
Scratchboard with collage
in clock box door

2020
Osprey with Egg
14 1/2" x 7 1/2"
Scratchboard with collage
in clock box door

2020
Cooper's Hawk
14 " x 7 1/2"
Scratchboard with collage
in clock box door

2020
Intuitive Ruler
25" x 21"
Scratchboard with collage in vintage frame

2020
Paramount Paraclete - SOLD
22" x 25"
Scratchboard with collage in vintage frame

2020
His Majesty the Heron
23 1/2" x 27 1/2"
Scratchboard with collage in vintage frame

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2020
The Warbler's Royal Serenade
23 1/4" x 15"
Scratchboard with collage in vintage frame

2020
Prince Pie
23 1/4" x 15"
Scratchboard with collage in vintage frame

2020
Lanky Countess
29" x 13 3/4"
Scratchboard with collage in vintage frame

2020
Two Royal Magpies SOLD
29" x 13 3/4"
Scratchboard with collage and grasses in molded glass frame

2020
The Vesper Sparrow SOLD
11" diameter
Scratchboard with collage in round clock frame

2020
Untitled European Goldfinch
14 1/4" x 9 1/2"
Scratchboard with collage in vintage brass frame

2020
Song Thrush I SOLD
14 1/4" x 12"
Scratchboard with collage in vintage frame

2020
The Archer of Snakes
15 1/2" x 17 1/2"
Scratchboard in vintage frame

2020
Song Thrush II SOLD
13 1/2" x 11 3/8"
Scratchboard with collage in vintage frame

2019
Precious Titmouse SOLD
8 1/4" x 11 1/8"
Scratchboard in vintage frame

2020
Starling Starlet
10 1/4" x 12 3/8"
Scratchboard with collage in vintage frame
