Width:21"
Description: Acrylic on muslin...from a photo I took in 1990 (shown last)
The Preface...
This is Suzi, sister to Louise who was best friends with the grandmother who died before I was born. My mother kept in touch with them and this is how I came to know them.
The Story...
Lucy Byrd, Suzi's daughter, with the primary help of her students and a lot of shoes, rescued this sole surviving brown thrush from a crow which was attacking its nest. After innitial care at the school, Lucy brought this thrush, now named Ouzel, to her mother's home to teach her to fly and ultimately let her go. Ouzel quickly befriended Suzi; perching near her and allowing Suzi to hold her. Happily, while visiting those many years ago, I captured these moments on film.
I knew then, that one day I would paint Suzi with the bird. She inspired me. Suzi had a youthful, loving spirit this bird trusted and all in her presence could recognise. Her years were many and her beauty everlasting.
A technical point...Suzi's right eyeglass lense was etched because her right eye was blind and she did not want it to be seen. I add this point for the viewer to understand why the glass does not reflect as a clear one would. Also, I add this note to emphasize the understanding of her bright and undying spirit.
In this photo, she is 100 years old.