THE GIFT- (Raven, Totem, Feather) 2 plate etching. 12 inch x 21 inch

THE GIFT- (Raven Series, Totem, Feather) 2 plate etching.  12 inch x 21 inch 

Finding a raven feather was once considered a gift.

To Native People finding a raven feather on the path was believed to mean that the finder was on a higher spiritual path or it may be a sign of encouragement to seek a path to discover new wisdom.

In many Native cultures feathers are symbols of higher thought or spiritual development. Despite the Dark coloration, Raven is the Creator and bringer of light. Eagle and Raven feathers were worn by Native American Chiefs to symbolize their communication with Spirit, and to express their wisdom. Also in the Native American Indian culture, feathers represented the power of the thunder gods, along with the power of air and wind. Raven as a Totem animal was associated with, heightened awareness, light heartedness, enlightenment, higher intelligence, higher thought, higher ideals, and creativity

This is a new version of my oldest image of Raven. The original print was started when I lived on Nantucket in 1988 but was finished it when I moved to Alaska in 1989.  While in Alaska the print was used for the cover illustration for “The Raven & The Totem” by John E Smelcer with the forward by Joseph Campbell http://www.johnsmelcer.com/books.html

When I lived in Minnesota all of my copies of the edition were destroyed due to a roof leak. I did not know it at the time but the leak also damaged the plate, I discovered the damage just recently. A corrosive substance pitted the surface and damaged the image. This year I reworked the plate, adding a dark border, I also introduced more foliage and engraved throughout the image and re-aquatinted the raven.  I also added a new image to the print, the “soft ground” impression of an actual raven feather. I further enhanced the feather with Drypoint and Engraving.