The Accidental Embroiderer

Crows in Scotland and in Chicago

Here’s the second in the series of Scottish birds in Scottish places, but it owes a lot to Chicago. When I was growing up in Chicago, my parents’ closest friends were two other artists, Max Kahn and Eleanor Coen. I was very fond of them, and I also loved their work. They both had a wonderful feeling for animals and I have several of their prints on my walls now. One of my favourites is a big woodcut of Max’s, of crows sitting on a cactus

Max

Max's crows

The other day as we were driving through Banchory, our local market town, I saw a flock of crows alighting on a bare tree, just as they’d done in Max’s print. So I combined a Max Kahn style with some Scottish crows

 

Maxcrows

Banchory crows

The feet aren't quite right – I thought that by making them flat-footed it would make them look as if the birds were just about to land on the tree, but it didn't quite work out like that. Also I think I should have given all the crows two wings. But it will be a simple matter to change both those things

 

7 thoughts on “Crows in Scotland and in Chicago

  1. Fantastic work! I live near a little town called Crowland, and this name was given for a reason… Reminds me your art work a lot. And shape of the original birds is transferred si well. Congratulations

  2. Crows are such clever birds. We have many where I live just south of Seattle. Love your crows. The center crow near the top of the tree with his feet flexed a but upward looks just like he is putting on the breaks and wondering if he is landing a bit too fast. Great job Mia, thanks for sharing.

  3. I love these – I’m so glad I clicked on the picture to get a larger view. You are sooooo talented!!! Thanks for sharing with us.

  4. Oh, I love this, I have to disagree with you on the feet, It does look like they are starting to land. Great job.

  5. nice switch from cactus to tree–crown of branches against blue swirly sky, great backdrop for substantial and clever birds.

  6. I like the wing variations, some one, some two. Love the lacy tree canopy you’ve created for this murder!

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