A friend of a friend of mine told me a good story of how Red-tailed hawks remind her of a good friend. They remind me of good friends and family too. So I put this together for her.
the grateful dead
Here comes sunshine
I got out today on the bicycle for the first time since the rains came through. My knee healed up nice from my recent attempt at bicycle slip n’ sliding. The hills around were looking quite refreshed. I know the water table is still low, but it’s good to see some evidence we’re on the right track. At the very least I’m on the right track.
So many roads.
“From the land of the midnight sun
where ice blue roses grow
‘long those roads of gold and silver snow
Howlin’ wide or moanin low
So many roads I know
So many roads to ease my soul.”
where ice blue roses grow
‘long those roads of gold and silver snow
Howlin’ wide or moanin low
So many roads I know
So many roads to ease my soul.”
-Robert Hunter
From one of my recent mountain bike rides. This is one of my favorite places to stand in California.
Another one for the Grateful Dead.
One of my favorite teachers.
The first study, to figure if I could even spell the word Grateful with pen drawn feathers.
Reminding me to go searching for the sound. To chase after the ever elusive muse.
The pen study.
To not be afraid to fail, or fall flat on my face.
The pencil hawk laid out with the letters and all.
To find the beauty in tragedy, and the strength to continue through.
The bird as it flies from out of the gates of my imagination.
To laugh my past away, and to make it one more day.
The roses or the ribbons in her long brown hair….
Robert Hunter’s lyrics for the Grateful Dead are a deep well of inspiration for so many.
Myself thoroughly included.
Sunshine daydream
A shot from the field today.
After breakfast I set out on my mountain bike to go look for trouble (birds, bugs, snakes, and the like.)
Various trails and fire roads brought me to my favorite stretch of tracks in California.
While I didn’t spot too much of note, the sky was clear and the day was a fine one.
Back in the lab tonight brought an interesting take on a flying owl.
“Tell me all that you know, I’ll show you
Snow and rain…”
Deal
“I’ve been gambling here abouts
for ten good solid years
If I told you all that went down
it would burn off both your ears…” -Robert Hunter
I laid out another life size hawk in pencil on plywood. Then I saw this tree in my head and heard The Grateful Dead coming through the branches. I tell you if I had a dime for every time that happened I’d own the bank.
farnco illustrations 