My Doves

Last April doves appeared on our property for the first time. They were not our native morning doves, but rather the Eurasion collared doves. I was taken by the soft colors--you know the "dove" color you might buy in paints or clothing. I loved their flights in and out of the driveway and trees, so I painted them in an abstract lyrical way. I began with a gold gessoed paper, which requires painting with gouache (opaque watercolor), rather than transparent watercolors. I entered it into one competition where it was not accepted, then stuck it in a drawer where it was mostly forgotten.

Delicate Doves

This year the doves were back, as well as a small flock of morning doves. They renewed my interest in the flights, wings, cooing and gentleness of their appearance. Then I came across a poem written by Louisa May Alcott titled, "My Doves." As I read it I found many of her words related to my own feelings about these creatures. Not only did her words refer to doves, but how I would like our world change to be more full of "contentment, joy, and peace."

After a workshop with Jean Pederson, I've been thinking about how to personalize paintings as she emphasized. It's not enough to just paint a pretty painting, but I have a goal to make it "my" painting--different from others. So yesterday I pulled out the painting and put an archival spray varnish on the piece to prepare it for the words I put on today. I like using pen and ink, so that is how I chose to apply passages from the poem onto the art. Now, should it be hanging in a gallery or exhibit, the viewer will have to get up close to read the words and hopefully become more engaged with the painting and its deeper meaning.

My Doves
29 x 21
Gouache with Pen and Ink

My Doves

By Louisa May Alcott 

OPPOSITE my chamber window,

On the sunny roof, at play,

High above the city's tumult,

Flocks of doves sit day by day.

Shining necks and snowy bosoms,

Little rosy, tripping feet,

Twinkling eyes and fluttering wings,

Cooing voices, low and sweet,-

Graceful games and friendly meetings,

Do I daily watch and see.

For these happy little neighbors

Always seem at peace to be.

On my window-ledge, to lure them,

Crumbs of bread I often strew,

And, behind the curtain hiding,

Watch them flutter to and fro.

Soon they cease to fear the giver,

Quick are they to feel my love,

And my alms are freely taken

By the shyest little dove.

In soft flight, they circle downward,

Peep in through the window-pane;

Stretch their gleaming necks to greet me,

Peck and coo, and come again.

Faithful little friends and neighbors,

For no wintry wind or rain,

Household cares or airy pastimes,

Can my loving birds restrain.

Other friends forget, or linger,

But each day I surely know

That my doves will come and leave here

Little footprints in the snow.

So, they teach me the sweet lesson,

That the humblest may give

Help and hope, and in so doing,

Learn the truth by which we live;

For the heart that freely scatters

Simple charities and loves,

Lures home content, and joy, and peace,

Like a soft-winged flock of doves.