Braeburn, Tightrope Walker

Braeburn, collage/acrylic, 6 x 6

Elizabeth W. Seaver
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As a young bird, Braeburn spent lots of time standing on one foot, much to the consternation of his mother and father.  They encouraged him to fly when his brothers and sisters learned, but he declined to do it.  His parents even hired a private flight instructor for Braeburn, but Mr. Billmore gave his notice after just two lessons.  

Mr. Billmore reported "It isn't that Braeburn can't fly; he can.  Braeburn doesn't want to fly, except on a trapeze, maybe."

Indeed, Braeburn had his dreams firmly fixed on the big top life, and no one could make him change his mind about that.  His parents just shook their heads; the neighbors, it must be said, gossiped about what a strange bird Braeburn must be to turn out so differently from all those nice boys and girls who were his siblings.  But Braeburn didn't pay attention to all those nay-sayers.  He waited until he was of age, scraped all his savings together from odd jobs and went to circus school.

At first, his teachers and trainers despaired.  Braeburn's wings really weren't adequate for trapeze work.  Having fingers to grip bars and wrists turned out to be pretty important.  Braeburn faithfully visited Audrey in the hospital tent, though.

The elephants wouldn't listen to his commands during performance, they just wanted him to check them for fleas and other bothersome critters.  He wasn't really strong enough for the acrobatic acts.  But when Braeburn walked the tightrope, all who watched felt tears clog their throats.  He was magnificent.  He didn't even need a net because, at the end of his act, he could just float down gracefully, holding onto his umbrella.  Test audiences loved him.

On opening night, his parents and all the neighbors showed up, skeptical, but supportive.  Watching him balance on one leg way up in the air was like seeing that little bird from all those weeks ago standing on one foot for hours.  Braeburn's mother sighed in relief, "Braeburn wasn't odd. He was practicing!"

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(The above is for all you other odd birds out there.  We're just practicing, right?!)

Percival and More

Percival, collage/acrylic, 6 x 6, Elizabeth W. Seaver

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I spent yesterday morning up at The Workhouse installing my featured artist show for May.  The opening is this coming Saturday, May 12, from 6-9.  All my birdie friends will be there, except for Ferdinand.  He has found a new home, so he didn't get to make the trip with Frieda and the others.  I hope some of my human friends will join me, too.

My right hand woman, Lynette, helped put the show up.  Actually, it is more accurate to say that she was both my hands, since I tend to go helpless when trying to arrange my own work in a show.  I finally quit struggling and just let her make all the decisions.  It looks fabulous.

I hope anyone who is in the area will drop by.  The Workhouse is a unique art destination, formerly a D.C. prison, now renovated into working artist and show spaces owned and managed by Fairfax County in NoVA.

Meet Zelda

Zelda to the Rescue, collage/acrylic, 6 x 6

Elizabeth W. Seaver
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Maybe you remember Zorah to the Rescue several posts ago.  Well, Zelda is Zorah's baby sister who has been promoted (since Zorah got sold and flew off to be a superhero in someone else's back yard.)  Zelda defends the defenseless, defeats the previously un-defeatable and is the mistress of all she surveys.

She looks a little nervous here, as if it might be her first day on the job which, by the way, comes with a lifetime supply of birdseed, 401k plan and comprehensive health care.  Life is good.

Zelda's magic cape will fly her over to The Workhouse in Lorton, VA, for a showing of the artist's work which may be viewed May 9 through June 3rd in the Vulcan Gallery in Building 16.  If you are in the area, stop by the opening on Second Saturday, May 12, and say hello to Zelda and Frieda and Ferdinand and Orville and me.  There may be a few other birds you haven't met yet on my blog.

Zelda promises to demonstrate her cape's marvelous trick of flying, even when she is standing still.  Believe me, such demo is not to be missed.

Good-bye, Bertie!

Bertie Went A'Courtin', acrylic/collage, 22 x 28

Elizabeth Seaver

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Bertie cycled off to live at Mike's house.  Thanks, Mike.  I'm so glad to know Bertie will have a good home!

Frieda's Cotton Candy

Frieda's Cotton Candy, acrylic, 24 x 24

Elizabeth W. Seaver

In which we see how Frieda keeps her svelte figure bikini ready -- careening up and down the boardwalk wearing a crab weight.  

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Before Frieda left their waterfront condo for a day in the sun and surf, her mother cautioned her, "Make sure to wear your bathing cap today, dear.  You must maintain your coiffure for tonight's ball.  We won't have time for another visit to the Curl Up and Dye between now and then."

"Yes, Mother," Frieda called on the way out the door.

Her mother needn't have reminded her.  Frieda liked wearing her new flowered bathing cap.  Her mirror never lied.  She knew it made her look fetching.  No one else had one quite as fancy as hers.  Frieda had seen the envious looks of other birds her age and how they whispered behind their hands as she passed.  

Frieda hopped on her bike, excited to be at the beach for their summer vacation.  There was nothing like riding.  The world whirled by, making her feel giddy.  If she closed her eyes, she could imagine she was flying. 

She stopped for cotton candy at her favorite vendor, then got back onto the boardwalk, whizzing along at quite a clip.  Good thing it was early--fewer bikers and pedestrians about.  She still cringed every time she thought of Mrs. Birdwell from last summer.  The dignified lady's toes would never be the same.  At her mother's insistence, Frieda had written six apology letters this winter.  She hoped not to run into the lady again this summer.

Just then, in the distance, Frieda spied the most virile creature she'd ever seen.  He pedaled toward her on the boardwalk.  He had an ice cream cone in one hand, and oh, what a cute feather adorned his lovely, egg-shaped head! 

Did she dare ask his name?  Perhaps a tiny bike crash would facilitate an introduction. 

She must find out whether he would be attending the 23rd Annual Beach Ball tonight.

Going to Florida

I'd Better Go Back to Paperbacks, 16 x 20, collage/acrylic

Elizabeth W. Seaver

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A lovely lady came in today to buy this painting for her sister-in-law whose birthday is coming up.  She had been in my studio with her sister in January and remembered she liked it.  What a thoughtful sister!

I'm happy he is going somewhere warm and beach-y.  

I think they still sell paperbacks down there....

It's Getting Warm

Ferdinand's Ice Cream, 24 x 24, acrylic

Elizabeth W. Seaver

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It's that time again.  The birds are migrating to the beach.  Enterprising youngsters hawk ice cream and cotton candy on the sand for bicyclists to stop for a treat.