It isn’t unusual for my photos to be used in works of art but for me this one is special.
Four months ago Denver-based artist Damaris Ruiz contacted me about the use of one of my Black-billed Magpie photos as a model for one of her paintings. Followers of Feathered Photography know that I’m often reluctant to sell prints but this kind of image use is usually hassle-free and besides, unlike many image requests hers was so well written, pleasant and appropriate it really caught my attention. Her image request pushed all my buttons.
So we agreed on a licensing fee which she paid and then I forgot all about it until two days ago when Damaris thoughtfully sent me some photos of her painting, both in progress and completed.
The way we all react to works of art is a highly individualized thing but this particular painting rocked my boat.
This is the magpie photo Damaris requested to use as a model for her painting. Apparently she actually found it on my blog rather than on some social media site like Pinterest where they’re often stolen.
Usually when my photos are used in paintings the bird is the primary subject but not so in this case.
Copyright Damaris Ruiz – photo used by permission
This is a detail photo of my magpie incorporated into the painting after being ‘flipped’. Rather unusual and intriguing, don’t you think?
Copyright Damaris Ruiz – photo used by permission
A photo of Damaris working on the painting, apparently in her art studio. When I saw this image I was really intrigued. What’s going on here?
Copyright Damaris Ruiz – photo used by permission
The finished painting in her art studio soon after completion. It’s 48″ x 36″, untitled, oil and acrylic on wood panel and canvas. In this photo and in this light you have to look carefully to see that the colored string attached to the magpie’s feet extends all the way to the female subject where the string continues as it wraps around her body, hands and eyes.
I was immediately attracted to the painting in a very personal way. I can’t explain it any better than the way I explained it to Damaris when I wrote her and asked for permission to feature the painting in a blog post, using the photos she’d sent me:
“I love your painting and I’m not one to use such superlatives easily. Or often. I’m actually quite surprised by how much it appeals to me.
I’m a scientist by training, a biologist. Until I retired several years ago mine was a world of the cut and dried, of evidence and facts and of little to no interpretation. I thrived on it so art played a very small role in my life. But since I started photographing birds, and blogging about it over a decade ago, birds have opened my eyes to at least some of the joys of art and its personal interpretation. I owe my blog followers for educating me in that regard, at least to some small degree.
I’m sure your painting has personal meaning for you but for me I love it because it represents how birds, magpies in particular, have opened my eyes to the world of art and its interpretation. Like the subject in your painting, or at least the way I interpret her, it seems like she’s being liberated from some kind of bondage by the magpie and finally being able to see. That’s what birds and my photography have done for me.
To me it’s irrelevant that she’s female and I’m male. I see myself in her and I love the fact that it’s ‘my’ magpie doing the liberating.”
Copyright Damaris Ruiz – photo used by permission
Damaris contemplating her completed work.
As I said earlier I’ve allowed many artists to use my bird photos over the years but this particular painting struck home with me in a very personal way. I guess that’s one of the powers of art.
Ron
When two artists meet, who knows what can happen… Wonderful result!
Ron,
Thank you for taking the time to write this and feature the photos of the work! I appreciate it so much. And the more I read about the symbolism and mythology around magpies, the more appropriate it feels. Thank you for being open to this project. I’m looking forward to following more of your work.
And thank you for putting my magpie in a context that works so well for me, Damaris. A bit of serendipity that delights me.
Damariz, Carel Brest van Kempen is one of the most talented wildlife artists in the world, at least in my opinion. I thought you’d be interested to know what he said about your painting in a comment on my post on Facebook:
“It appears to me that she painted the bird on a piece of finer fabric and wrapped that around the stretched canvas. I like to see people try novel presentations with traditional painting, especially when, as in this case, they’re put to good effect.”
That’s so kind of him! I checked out his website and I love his ceiling-mounted paintings. I have even more respect for wildlife artists after attempting this bird – so many tiny tiny details and just one tiny mistake can make the whole thing look off. Thank you for sharing his comment.
Whew. All of it. The art, the photography, your response, the comments.
Thank you, Lyle.
Oh, this is interesting … the art, your heartfelt appreciation for it and the artist’s use of your beloved magpie … how birds and blogging have (my words) made you a better human being … it’s all wonderful! And I too love this painting … but what does it say about me (other than that I’m not the greatest interpreter of almost anything) that I’m seeing that magpie in an entirely different light? He’s wrapped her up in his red thread, perhaps to steal her away to a secret hiding place? Surely it’s a self-portrait; perhaps Ms. Ruiz will enlighten you as to its meaning someday and you can share with us.
Chris, Damaris discussed this painting a little on her own blog but as she told me she’s a little “vague” about its meaning.
https://www.strokesofhope.org/blog/2021/2/17/another-note-on-hope
Of course, I checked her out *after* I had posted my comment (some great little video clips on her Instagram). “Strokes of Hope” itself gives it away … as I said, I’m not the best at interpreting art! Still, I wouldn’t mind being spirited away by a magpie or some other bird, so there’s hope in that, I guess. 🙄
Wonderful blog today, Ron; your work and words, the work of such a talented artist, and the words of your followers make this a very special day. How interesting and uplifting to see through the vision of others. I’ll be thinking about this throughout the day, and on.
“I’ll be thinking about this throughout the day, and on.”
A signature sign of good art. Thanks, Nina.
WOW.
This is a very different post, and equally wonderful. I am an appreciator rather than a creator. I have long loved this particular photo and adore the way that Damaris incorporated it into her work.
We are indeed inextricably linked/tied to the natural world…
” I am an appreciator rather than a creator”
That’s me too, EC.
I had a parakeet (Frosty) when I was about 8 years old and I repeatedly tried to draw him. The results were so pathetic I’ve shied away from trying to draw or paint anything ever since.
You take it a step further than I do Ron. You are an inspiration. To artists and to others.
It’s a stunning piece. I love how evocative it is. Is the bird revealing her or exposing her. I love art that makes me ask questions.
“Is the bird revealing her or exposing her”
It makes you think doesn’t it, Arwen.
I am deeply moved both by Ms. Ruiz’s phenomenal painting as well as by your comments about it. I feel like I know you better after reading this post. I also feel so fortunate to have had the privilege to grow up in a way such that art (especially music) and science have always been integral to my life.
Marty, I’ve been largely art-deprived for most of my life. Never even took a single art class in either high school or college. The closest I came was a music appreciation class in a CA junior college. However that class was taught by Dave Brubeck’s brother Howard Brubeck and I learned a lot.
Ron, what a wonderful tribute to a fine photograph and amazing art. Unlike Laura, I am an old softy and am often moved to tears by the simplest things. Your expression of your relationship with art is very similar to my experience so I feel I can really relate there. I guess that we don’t really know how the subject in the painting got into this situation, but if fills me with hope to see the interaction with nature in unbinding her restraints and setting her free. So simple, yet so sophisticated and I’m marveling at the beauty of the entire blog. Thank you.
I’m like you, David – sometimes the simplest things make my eyes leak. Drove me nuts when I was much younger and thought I had some kind of macho image to live up to.
Thanks very much for the kind words.
OH WOW! Oddly, I’m not often moved to tears by art, but this one got me! First, I love the whole darn Corvid family and especially magpies. And yes, birds can free us from our anthro-ish intellectual and spiritual bondage if we let them. What a wonderful vision! Standing APPLAUSE!
Everett you made me giggle! I’ll have to remember that when I get to Wales. I’ve been right to the border, but my English-born ex-husband wouldn’t go over! One of many reasons he’s an EX. ARGH! Somewhat related is the mythology of ravens at the Tower of London.
Glad you got some snow, especially in the mountains. I hope you didn’t overdo it in the removal, but I fear you probably did. I GET that!
Oh and yesterday’s Merlins! There’s at least one (most likely several) that hang around here. One visited to check out Jack one day, perching on a fence post about 20 feet away from his end-of-hunt, waiting-for-dinner perch on the luggage rack on my Jeep. I WANTED to share some of the hawk food with her, but thought that would cause a ruckus since Jack is a food whore. Even heavy with a full crop, he’ll do anything for food.
“I hope you didn’t overdo it in the removal, but I fear you probably did.”
You have me pegged, Laura. I’m paying the price today. Actually it started yesterday afternoon.
Your words to Demaris Ruiz have echoed in me. I too, have gone from one world to another thanks to the gift that raptors and photography have given me. People often ask me of my photographs of raptors, “How did you even see that?” The fact that I can see this world of sky and flight is directly tied to your art, Ron Dudley. I have learned many critical lessons under your blog’s tutelage, and I am thankful for your shared wisdom. I am more conscious and more careful of my ethics, not just what I hope is my art. Thank you.
Suzanne, your comment means more to me than I can even express. Thank you very much.
Beautiful painting and your words are beautiful.
Kaye
Thanks very much, Kaye.
Your appreciation for her painting is beautifully expressed Ron. This is the same magpie photo that I purchased for my wife last year. It must be rewarding to see your photo being used in a painting such as this.
Obviously this painting has special meaning to Ms. Ruiz and only she can explain it to us. It certainly speaks of freedom, or liberation, or release, and the magpie plays an important role by pulling back the curtain and unleashing the thread.
Steven’s comment makes me laugh thinking of my Welsh friend many years ago explaining how special magpies are to them and how they must salute the first magpie they see in the morning and how frantic your greetings have to be if a whole flock flies past you as opposed to just one.
I really enjoyed your comment, Everett – all of it. I’d forgotten you’d purchased that print and the last part of your last sentence brought a smile to my face.
WOW! Wonderful work by Damariz! 😀 She did you proud……
I think so too, Judy.
The painting clearly has an impact. I love your own interpretation of exactly why. Nice.
Thank you, Dan.
Having been to Ireland a couple of times, learned that when you see one, especially in the morning, say Good Morning. Also learned that ‘Ferries’ ride on the Wings of the Magpie.
Yes, there’s quite a bit of mythology related to magpies.