Linocut Grace

Sleep stayed with me all the way until 5:30 this morning, which is some kind of record. The DM slept, too (and is, in fact, STILL asleep), which is even more surprising. Perhaps it was the fistful of analgesic cocktail taken for a nasty headache... maybe it was just exhaustion catching up. Whatever it was, solid sleep was welcome.

Morning here is gray and hazy, chance of snow in the forecast. Wan sun peeks over the rooftop next door... is it just me, or is the whole neighborhood kind of groggy?

Last night's headache kept me from staying for the presentation at which my friend Denny received the "secret" linocut I referred to last week. She retired in January from the board of the local Greater Arkansas River Nature Association (GARNA), and to my delight I was asked to create something for her.

One of Denny's many GARNA projects was the enthusiastic launch of a local birding group, so we quickly agreed that "something birdy" was in order. Friend and fellow board member Ann suggested heron... and I was off to the races. Literally. Yes, this was the "8 colors in 10 days" project! The printmaking gods smiled upon me, though... a small edition of 8 images went off without any real hiccups, and there was even time to get it (mostly) dry before last night!

Artists and musicians alike can struggle with giving titles to pieces, and for this one I wanted both a "public" title and a "personal" title... something that would represent the image AND the person for whom it was ultimately intended. Guardian Grace it is, then. Denny will get it, even if she cringes a little. (Inside joke.)

Hm. I hope she likes it.