It was February 2008. That’s when spring can come to the Sunshine Coast, in spite of what the calendar says. The morning promised to be clear, crisp and cold, and there would be a full moon. My friend Barry Haynes and I got up and were on the road by 5:45 AM and by six we were set up with our cameras at Bonniebrook Beach. As the sun lit the eastern sky, the clear but still dark western sky was resplendent with its full moon adornment. As I shot images of brilliant light I noticed a few crows waking to the day. As they flew from tree to tree calling each other, they served to rouse the other seashore life to greet the day. Then, as one of the black silhouettes flew past the moon I realized I had an image to get in my camera.
I found a position on the grass that allowed the crow perched on a branch to be framed by the bright yellow full moon. I took the photograph knowing as I did that I’d found the painting that I’d come searching for on this cold, clear morning. As staged and contrived as the painting looks, I have the photograph to prove that it really did happen that way.
My wife, Joy, was known as “Crow” in her childhood. A nickname given to her all those years ago, from time to time someone still remembers it and teases her about it. Having never actually done a painting just for Joy, I knew as I painted this one that it was for her. She has been so supportive of me in my artistic endeavors over the years; it seemed appropriate that this particular original painting should be hers.
When I finished the painting I wrote on the bottom of paper, just below the image – “I’ve been painting for about 23 years. This is the very first painting I’ve done just for you Joy. I love you. Ed”
Joy agreed to share the image with you. We both hope you enjoy “Moonshadow”.