"They are portraits of individuals who looked at me whenever I looked at them, who acknowledged and accepted me as part of their world.”
Perhaps some critics would accuse her of anthropomorphism. Having watched birds make intimate offerings of food with their avian family members… Well that was what put me onto thinking these robins were family members even when they looked similar in age. I remember when one, standing off eyeing me, seemed to be trying to communicate with me. Then it looked at my feet, and I looked: there was a worm there, so I stepped aside gently and walked away.
I had that happen on a walking path around a lake two mornings ago in Australia. A brown wren was on the path with an insect. I was pounding along but saw it and stopped. I love birds so hoped it would stay, and it did, just looking at me. Then it hopped off the path and I gently walked past. We do it gently, don't we? They certainly do acknowledge us. The magpies in my back yard know me and we chat. They warble and I talk as they bathe and splash in the birdbath.
"They are portraits of individuals who looked at me whenever I looked at them, who acknowledged and accepted me as part of their world.”
Perhaps some critics would accuse her of anthropomorphism. Having watched birds make intimate offerings of food with their avian family members… Well that was what put me onto thinking these robins were family members even when they looked similar in age. I remember when one, standing off eyeing me, seemed to be trying to communicate with me. Then it looked at my feet, and I looked: there was a worm there, so I stepped aside gently and walked away.
I had that happen on a walking path around a lake two mornings ago in Australia. A brown wren was on the path with an insect. I was pounding along but saw it and stopped. I love birds so hoped it would stay, and it did, just looking at me. Then it hopped off the path and I gently walked past. We do it gently, don't we? They certainly do acknowledge us. The magpies in my back yard know me and we chat. They warble and I talk as they bathe and splash in the birdbath.
Tan's illustrations are 'portraits of individuals', I love that!