Ghost Chickens

Rooster Root Cellar, 14 x 19 in.

In order to prepare for the culminating exhibition for my painting residency, I've been pushing myself to work larger.  

It takes a certain kind of faith. I usually finish paintings the same day or at least the same week that I start them. This one took me over a month! I had almost lost hope that I could realize my vision. I am very glad to report that it came together this morning in Howard Watson's watercolor class at the Woodmere Museum.  

Howard, in his unique way, encouraged me early on to put some creatures into the scene. I believe he had said, "Nice scene. I like the cows."

I chose chickens instead of cows for a specific reason. This work began as a plein air drawing of the root cellar at the Richard Wall House in Elkins Park. In colonial times, that supreme era of self sufficiency, the top room was used as a chicken coop.  There haven't been chickens here for some time, but don't they just look right at home?

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