If a Japanese Lantern were a Bird
At the beginning of May I went searching for scarlet robins. I had seen images of them posted in the Facebook group ‘Western Australian Birds’. My mission was to find some of my own so that I could draw them. I did a bit of research and set off for Karnup Nature Reserve where it turned out a pair were waiting for me in the car park!
These striking little black, white and red robins remind me of Japanese lanterns hence the long title of this small drawing. After I thought of the title it occurred to me that it could be the first line of a verse – so I had better compose the verse.
If a Japanese lantern were a bird, How bright its hues would be, Illuminating scarlet globe, Delighting all who see!
Some Japanese lanterns I have known and drawn over the years…
Now you can see why I had to find a scarlet robin, my Japanese Lantern Bird. This wee Australian bird takes me back to Kyoto.
Julie Podstolski - Abstract Realism 