Everywhere Birds are Singing

My show, “Chorus of Birds” at Abend Gallery opens Sept 10 and runs through Sept 24, 2022.

Greek Chorus

In the plays of ancient Greece there existed a chorus consisting of performers offstage offering commentary, background information and moral insights to the narrative unfolding by the actors onstage. The chorus addressed the audience directly, usually in the form of song and frequently with a sense of humor.

Often, the role of the Greek chorus was to reveal the inner life and motivations of the main characters. The chorus had all the inside information!

The ever-present birds I encounter on walks bring to mind a Greek chorus. In brief moments I have entered their world and received their commentary on the life I was living. Sometimes I was reminded to pay closer attention, sometimes to laugh and often to look at things from a different angle.

Birds are always close by, right out our windows, singing as we walk out our doors. The chorus of birds connect us to the natural world and have important things to say if we choose to listen.

Shoreline and Stardust 14x11’ oil ©2022 Susan McDonnell Available at Sullivan Goss Gallery

I chose to create oil paintings of birds who gave me pause to stop and listen. This gull is telling me about levity and reminding me that we are all stardust💫

Sept 10, 2022