Cocky chick,
Cocky chick,
Itching for a fight,
Until it gets too real,
Then he opts for flight.
This little animation was inspired in part by an encounter I had with a young grouse chick who was attempting to intimidate me with his incredible moves. Rather than flee in terror I watched the display and was impressed with this brave little chick. But also when Paul Clifford sent me his musical number Woke Dreams that my imagination was inspired and soon after this little Grouse and his moves became a video. Why? Simply for my own amusement I guess, there is no deep thought or meaning in this number, nor does it reflect actual Grouse reality or culture in anyway but is meant as a portrayal of human culture. Be aware that I did create it with a younger audience in mind, with the intent of bringing a smile to a child’s face so maybe this video is not so shallow or meaningless after all.
Several species of Grouse are common in Coastal Salish territories, they are numerous and are a food source for both people and other wildlife. Personally I love to hear the sound of their drumming coming from the edges of the forest, it is both a magical and haunting sound from a beautiful and brave little bird.
Like what you hear, Woke Dream the music from this video along with other amazing audio loops created by Paul Clifford’s Jawshop Adventure Recording Studios will soon be available at our coming soon new loop shop SpiceRack.
Little Owl,
Little Owl sitting unseen in the shadows,
Watching the toing and froing,
Of those coming and going.
One feels them watching you when you are out and about, then you look and see those beautiful big eyes, their eyes speak volumes and can’t be kept quiet. That is how I managed to get these few shots of this little Barred Owl (Strix varia), I felt his presence first. He was trying to remain discrete less they attract the wrong kind of attention. For despite how lovely these quiet little creatures appear to us, they are in fact predators and in nature it is uncommon for species to get along.
I have seen everything from Robins to Raven’s prevent these little fellows from getting a well needed days rest. But the truth is because they are night creatures, so these shots are pretty precious. and I had to open up the exposure to be able to see the little guy. I have heard them more than seen them, but even unseen their hoots are magical and I have been blessed on many night by their songs and medicine.
Blessed are the Owls,
and all little things,
the scaled, feathered or furry,
those that fly, swim or scurry.
‘The raven once in snowy plumes was drest, White as the whitest dove’s unsullied breast, Fair as the guardian of the Capitol, Soft as the swan; a large and lovely fowl His tongue, his prating tongue had changed him quite To sooty blackness from the purest white.‘
Ovid
People hold a long of different opinions about the Raven but whether you love or loathe this beautiful and intelligent creature may depend on your livelihood. Bards, poets and artists have long revered the Raven, it is often our muse, our master and our inspiration; whereas farmers have a far more dimmer view than we do and that is somewhat understandable. It did not escape my notice when once photographing a Raven that it was happily consuming a Rhode Island Red that it had acquired from a nearby newly established free range egg farm. They tell me that business is cut throat and predatory by nature and this fact also includes nature, or did in this case because the Raven’s got the spoils from that venture for sure.
‘It suits my own attitude toward the world and its people to believe that the Raven is this completely self-centered, uninvolved bringer of change, through inadvertence and accident, and so on… It’s a version of the Raven myth for today, not for the time when it was created.’
Bill reid
Raven Design by Salish Artist Charles J Craigan
Charlie Craigan’s Raven painting, in traditional Salish Native style, is a trickster, playful and clever spiritual guide and his intimate relationship with humans is illustrated by the figure in Raven’s wing. Culturally, historically and presently the Raven has and will continue to be an important creature and symbol to people of all cultures globally. Like with this design they are commonly seen as spiritual messengers and protectors, and stories of Ravens and their relationship with people are as normal and natural as life itself it seems. It is easy to see why they are admired by us as we observe their beautiful blackness, unique intelligence, romantic natures, amazing flight capabilities as well as the incredible courage and daring they demonstrate.
‘In the battlefield men grapple each other and die; The horses of the vanquished utter lamentable cries to heaven, While ravens and kites peck at human entrails, Carry them up in their flight, and hang them on the branches of dead trees.‘
Li Bai
They are associated with violence and death, of ill omen and fate and a flock of Raven’s is called a unkindness in the English language. Juvenile flocks of Ravens are very common and like most gangs of youth they can and do create havoc at times so this negative association may have some foundation. Ravens, like the Eagles and other creatures, survive by consuming carrion be it dead salmon by the spawning stream or dead warriors on the edge of a battlefield and it is this reality that unsettles us so much but is not evidence of Raven’s being evil in either scenario.
‘He that visits the sick in hopes of a legacy, but is never so friendly in all other cases, I look upon him as being no better than a raven that watches a weak sheep only to peck out its eyes.’
Seneca the Younger
It is however it is something found in the eye of the beholder, more than that of the creature itself that is behind their meanings and the stories. Or behind the human culture itself because it is unfortunate that many see the misery, war, illness and even death of other people as an opportunity to profit and nothing more. Those carrion consumers illustrate the darker and unpleasant side of the human reality that we are often discouraged to explore or if we do is often snubbed or ignored for lighter fair.For the truth is Raven, or what cultures and artists project onto them is reflective of who we are as individuals, communities and societies than it has anything to do with them. Ravens, you see, are competent and content doing their Raven thing and would be fine without our presences, but we are obsessed with them which is why they are always at the top of our favourite muses and subjects to explore. And how we respect or abuse them is a fairly accurate measure for how we treat the rest of the world as well.
‘I have created the Raven in my own image over the years and insist that mine is the version of this personality that is correct – well, at least it is correct as far as I am concerned.’
Bill reid
This version of Raven is one of Charles Craigan’s first paintings. Raven has a human figure in the wing signifying the spiritual connection between human, the inner child, the need to keep an open mind and a Raven that is universal and significant to many cultures. Charles’ Raven is a positive figure and this is meant to be worn or displayed in honour of that relationship by any or all people who also adore this beautiful creature.
Raven Design by Salish Artist Charles J CraiganRaven Design Phone Case by Salish Artist Charles J CraiganRaven Design Mug by Salish Artist Charles J CraiganRaven Design Cap by Salish Artist Charles J CraiganRaven Design Shower Curtain by Salish Artist Charles J CraiganRaven Design Hoodie by Salish Artist Charles J CraiganRaven Design Water Bottle by Charles J Craigan
Anyone who wishes to support Charles J Craigan by purchasing some of his art his designs are available at T Spring, the images link to his store.
These pretty little berry picking Waxwings visit us annually and it is always wonderful to catch a glimpse and always brightens my day. This is why I am sharing this lovely creature with you all today, in the hopes that it also brings a little happiness to your day and a smile on your face.
Recently on my travels I came across some Wild Swans taking a bit of a break from their long winter journey and I am sharing these images for you to enjoy.
This happenstance gave me pause and as I watched the pair and their bond it brought to mind the memory of my Elders whom I miss terribly and our own special bond which can never be broken. But it also brought to mind the issue of ugly ducklings and the struggle we all face in attempting to live up to fulfil our purpose and the feelings of inadequacy that sometimes rear their ugly head.
Modern society functions more like a chicken coop these days, where caged birds create a pecking order and force conformity on the community, the ways of Wild Swans are lost to them. And this is the recipe for disaster for an society, to be hellbent on destroying creativity and innovation for political gains and in order to dominate others does not bode well for artists or scientists anymore than habitat destruction does for the Wild Swans.
Art is medicine, much like the site of Wild Swans it stirs the spirit and fortifies the soul in ways that human beings need to survive much like clean, air, water and food. The way love and hugs are medicine, or a smile from a child are medicinal and constant bullying and denial of these elements is toxic and harmful to us.
Are our voices to ever be muted and will we also become extinct in the name of progress? Or Greed. A lot of us are being mistaken for chickens when that is not what we are nor is it what we need to fulfil our purposes and live up to our potential. So today I stand with myself, my community and the Wild Swans for it is better to remain an ugly duckling than to deny to beauty of the Swan that created you.
Grandfather Moon is wise and loving, his presence in our lives is constant, he cautiously watches over us unseen most of the time he takes care not to overwhelm us with his powerful spirit, and deplete our energies. Grandfather Moon is the one responsible for the flow of the waters, he is the overseer of the tides, he is the catalyst of birth, he fuels our passions, spurs our sense of justice, and lights our spirits when we are needed. Grandfather Moon connects us to our inner-selves, he connects us with our honour, integrity and determination, he inspires us to love ourselves but more importantly to love and protect that which is around us even more because without the rest of life and society we are all lost.
I first created him in honour and memory of my own Grandfather William who was a wonderful person, a good man so I painted his image to keep near me. But I redid his design and am sharing it with all of you to honour other good men whom I am very appreciative for in my own life. Do not get me wrong, I have had more than a few encounters with the other type of person and this honour is not extended to everyone who is male, only the Good solid men like my Grandfather was.
I chose the Moon as the image for males although it is not traditionally done as such however the qualities of the Moon as opposed to the Sun who I also painted in honour of my Grandmother Ruth. Their incredible relationship was the foundation of the parts of my childhood that were incredibly healthy and positive. He was incredibly supportive and allowed her to be all that she could and to pass her goodness onto the rest of us and due to that he never got as much recognition of attention from us.
Click on any of the Images above to check out Grandfather Moon Merchandise Collections!
And that is often how it is, there are very good men and women out there who never are shown the appreciation they deserve whereas they often get the brunt of abuse simply due to the wrongs of other not good people who unfortunately share the same sex with them. This is a great wrong and it is time to appreciate people for who they are and let them know that they are important to us all and that is what this design is about. So to all my good brothers out there, young and old, known or unknown to me, this is a symbol of my appreciation of all that you are and all that you do. Hold your heads up and be proud of the good man you are and thank you for all you do.
Grandfather moon was created with Gnu Image Manipulation Program.
The creative works, content and opinions Do Not represent the collective traditions or spiritual beliefs of any Indigenous Nation be they Salish or Gaelic nor are the artists spokespersons for their clans or communities, although they are proud of their heritage and families. The content and work are but the creative musings and intellectual works of the artists, and relate to their personal experiences and beliefs, nothing more.
The University of East Hastings 