Today I sliced an old background painting into six 4″x4″ squares, and decided to paint chickens.
Chickens, in order to keep me safe from the legions of dedicated Gallus gallus domesticus fans who were (and still are) stiffly dissatisfied with my failure to include the chicken in my Ducks on the Road painting.
Here are the six finished individual portraits; I have in mind to combine them on a single piece somehow, but haven’t done that yet.
You might enjoy the fact that as I painted, the chickens began to tell me their stories… From the top left, may I present:
Balthazar
Balthazar is an Arabian Blue, and currently teaches astronomy. “Stars are in our blood,” he clucked. “A Blue always knows where he is, and where he is going.” Balthazar also writes poetry and always smells marvelous.
Marguerite (“Daisy”)
Daisy comes from a long line of French poulets who strutted runways for brands like Louis Chickkon, Chickien Dior, and Eggbert deGivenchy. Daisy, however, found her passion in motherhood. “I’m a full time stay-at-home mom,” she preened. “Je ne regrette rien!”
Rosie
“It’s a common misconception that we Leopard Chicken ladies have spots, but we don’t. They are rosettes,” Rosy shared. She continued with a sigh. “And that’s why so many of us are called Rosie.” (Her mother’s name was Dottie.)
Lennie
Lennie is distantly related to the Roseate Spoonbill, but insists that in no way are any of his feathers pink. “Lavender Sharpbeak roosters are considered to be descendants of royal Florida chickens,” Lennie explained, “as evidenced by our golden combs and wattles.”
Elvis
Elvis did arrive on time for an interview, but after posing momentarily for his portrait, left the building.
Fortitude
Fortitude was named for one of the world-renowned lions at the entrance of the New York public library. “I look nothing like the lion,” Fortitude clucked, “but I do have a beak like a raptor.”
I hope you enjoyed that. I would love to hear who your favorite chicken is, or hear your own chickens’ names and stories.
I’ll post the finished piece when I have it!
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