Rusty Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) 85% is part of a larger ongoing series about backyard ecologies called Junk Mail Migration. These works examine the direct impact of junk mail production on the immediate environment – our backyards.
Many of our favorite songbirds breed, live, and migrate to/from the Boreal Forest, only passing through Iowa seasonally. When their breeding habitat is destroyed, the population dwindles and the chance of viewing the likes of a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher in our backyard diminishes.
All are represented in life size scale, drawn with graphite, charcoal, gesso, and ink on junk mail laminated to recycled cardboard and supported with reclaimed or sustainably forested wood. The title is the common name, latin name, and the percentage that breeds in the boreal forest each year. For this portion of the project, birds were selected that migrate through Iowa seasonally, are not year round residence of Iowa, and have over 70% of their breeding ground in the North American boreal forest ring.
Original Painting
The Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) 85%, 2017
Junkmail, gesso, ink, charcoal on cardboard
11 X 11 3/4″
Mounted to wood supports and wired for hanging.
Signed by the artist.
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