Firebird, 2022

Firebird is a joyously colourful paintover painting and has dynamic brush marks and a printmakerly feel. The bird started out as a peacock but I went for warmer colours and called her Firebird, thinking of the Stravinsky ballet based on a Russian...

Firebird is a joyously colourful paintover painting and has dynamic brush marks and a printmakerly feel. The bird started out as a peacock but I went for warmer colours and called her Firebird, thinking of the Stravinsky ballet based on a Russian folklore story. Prince Ivan is hunting in the forest but decides to spare the Firebird's life, because she is too beautiful to kill. In thanks, she gives him an enchanted feather. Later in the story, Prince Ivan uses the feather to summon the Firebird so she can cast a spell of sleep over the creatures that have been set upon him by the evil Kastchei. Prince Ivan destroys the egg that contains Kastchei's immortal soul, freeing everyone under his spell including thirteen princesses, one of whom Prince Ivan falls in love with.