Female Cardinal – Print – 1052/1993

8.25″ x 10″

One of the ideas behind Cardinal and Sumac was inspired by a Smithsonian Museum
display of an authentic East Indian village, complete with villagers going about
their daily business. I was strolling through when, all of a sudden, a villager
wearing a flaming red turban walked past a rich, terra cotta-colored wall. I
was struck by the red-on-red vision – it just sizzled. I knew then, I would
someday paint a cardinal in sumac. Most North Americans have the
opportunity to see cardinals in their own backyards. The cardinal, however
exotic in color, is one of our most familiar favorites. I like the idea of the
cardinal as a representative for Earth Day; it is appropriate that a backyard
favorite represent our need to incorporate environmental action into our
own backyards.

S08 – 008