The Making
Of...
A Crow's Court
The Story...
A crow’s court is the myth that a crow that has committed a bad deed will be encircled by a group of crows to be judged and attacked. It is also associated with the more common term, ‘a murder of crows’. There is believed to be a hierarchy within a flock, some birds may attack or peck at another if they appear unfamiliar to them and so given the term ‘pecking order’. With magical, medieval and justice themes surrounding this piece, each hand painted element has been intricately positioned and symbolic to ‘a crows court’.
Illustration Process...
Within the artwork, nine crows encircle the scales of justice while perched on walnut and oak branches. Walnut is the most common wood used to make a judge’s gavel and sounding block, both walnut and oak symbolising wisdom and knowledge. Each crow is garbed in outfits befitting a medieval court as twisting scrolls determine their rank, with their floating black feathers synonymous with protection and clarity.
Illustrations were made using watercolours and inks, then digitally scanned and edited to be made into the final scarf design.
Manufacture...
Once the final artwork is completed, the design is sent for printing. The scarves are digitally printed onto lovely silk or gorgette fabric in the UK with sustainable water based inks, with an OEKO-Tex Standard 100 certification - in other words, no harmful inks are used.
To finish them off, I hem the edges and they can now be worn all year round as scarves!
