The Four-Eyed Blackbird of Dawn

Medium: Watercolor on paper

Date: 1985

“The Four-Eyed Blackbird of Dawn”: A Surreal Exploration

Art for me is the gateway to the magical. A way of venturing into realms beyond the ordinary, offering glimpses into the depths of my imagination and the mysteries of the human condition. One such piece that encapsulates this exploration is my watercolor painting, “The Four-Eyed Blackbird of Dawn.” This is my featured artwork for this week. This work invites you to immerse yourself in a landscape filled with symbolism.

The Inspiration

In my teens during the Minnesota summers, my brother and I made our daily trip to work in cornfields forty miles from home. We left at 5 A.M. in a car full of guys. The sun was rising and in the center of the intense whirling brightness, I could see black. It might be a black bird, I thought. This memory is the heart of this watercolor picture. Through the car window, I saw the beginning of the first shine of intense yellow at the edge of the dark straight horizon. The land in that part of Minnesota was very flat but punctuated with farms every few miles. The farmyards were surrounded by packs of tall trees, appearing dark blue gray in the early part of the day. I looked forward every morning with excitement to seeing the dawn, the rising edge of the sun, and the solid dark blue shadows along the trees. It was very beautiful.  Within the groves in the dim light, I could see farmers feeding their animals and many animals awakening. After I created this painting, I discovered that early Chinese observers also saw a black spot in the sun and interpreted it as a blackbird. My bird, however, is a dancer with four eyes. The extra eyes were essential for capturing the intensity of my feelings as I gazed out of the car, speeding toward our day in the cornfields.

Unveiling the Canvas: A First Look

When I created “The Four-Eyed Blackbird of Dawn,” I aimed to make the image clear to myself. I used vivid colors and dynamic composition. The central figure, a blackbird with four eyes, immediately draws attention. Its expressive face, adorned with a halo of fiery yellow and orange, contrasts starkly against the cool blue backdrop. This contrast not only highlights the bird but also creates a sense of balance and harmony within the chaos.

The Central Figure: A Symbol of Perception

The blackbird, with its additional pair of eyes, symbolizes heightened perception and vision. In many cultures, eyes represent knowledge, awareness, and insight. I envisioned the four-eyed bird as a being that sees beyond the ordinary, perceiving hidden truths and mysteries. Placing the bird at the center of the composition makes it the focal point of this surreal narrative.

The Sun and the Serpent: Duality of Life

To the left of the blackbird, the sun radiates with a bright yellow glow, housing a serpent-like figure within. The sun, a universal symbol of life, energy, and enlightenment, contrasts with the serpent, often associated with mystery, transformation, and sometimes danger. This juxtaposition hints at the dual nature of existence, where light and dark, known and unknown, coexist and shape our reality.

The Dreamlike Surroundings: A Landscape of the Mind

Surrounding the central figure are various creatures and faces, each contributing to the painting’s dreamlike quality. These elements, rendered in soft blues and whites, seem to emerge from the background like fragments of a forgotten dream. Among them, a duck, a cow, a dog, a pond, and several human faces can be discerned, each adding to the narrative’s complexity. These figures represent facets of the subconscious mind, each with its own story and significance, merging into the unity of farm life.

The Watercolor Technique: Fluidity and Ethereal Beauty

Choosing watercolor as the medium enhanced the surreal effect I sought to achieve. Watercolor’s inherent fluidity allows for soft gradients and blending, creating an ethereal atmosphere. The delicate transitions between colors and the subtle textures add depth to the scene, making it appear as if it is constantly shifting and evolving.

Interpreting the Themes: Insights and Reflections

“The Four-Eyed Blackbird of the Dawn” is a rich tapestry of themes and symbols. At its core, it explores ideas of perception, transformation, and the duality of existence. The blackbird’s additional eyes suggest a quest for greater understanding, urging you to look beyond the surface and explore the hidden layers of meaning. The surrounding elements, with their enigmatic presence, encourage introspection and invite you to ponder the nature of our own subconscious mind.

Conclusion: A Surreal Masterpiece

In “The Four-Eyed Blackbird of the Dawn,” I aimed to create a piece that transcends the boundaries of reality and delves into the realm of the surreal. Through vibrant colors, dynamic composition, and symbolic imagery, this painting offers a glimpse into a world where perception is heightened, and the mysteries of life are laid bare. It stands as a testament to the power of art to evoke contemplation and inspire a deeper understanding of the human experience. As Thomas Merton aptly said, "Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.

Whether you are an art enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of the unknown, I hope “The Four-Eyed Blackbird of the Dawn” leaves a lasting impression, urging you to embark on your own path of discovery and reflection.