Original Page Illustration for the Book Clever Crow
This original artwork fine art painting explores the dynamic interplay between the jay and the crow, two birds rich in symbolism and contrast. Jays, often seen as clever and vibrant, represent intelligence, curiosity, and sometimes mischief, while crows are frequently associated with wisdom, transformation, and mystery—often linked to themes of death and rebirth in various cultural myths.
In many traditions, these birds are seen as messengers or tricksters, embodying the duality of the seen and unseen. Their relationship can be interpreted as complementary, where the jay’s playfulness contrasts with the crow’s deeper, more contemplative nature, creating a balance between lightness and gravity.
In the works of artists like Olivia Lomenech Gill, these themes come alive through intricate depictions of these birds, exploring their symbolic meanings and the complex relationships between them and the human experience. Gill’s original artwork fine art painting often focuses on the natural world, merging mythological elements with raw emotional depth, capturing the essence of creatures like the jay and crow in symbolic and nuanced ways.
Clever Crow by Chris Butterworth, with illustrations by Olivia Lomenech Gill, is an engaging children's book celebrating the intelligence and behaviors of crows. Aimed at readers aged 3 to 7, the book combines Butterworth's informative yet accessible text with Gill's expressive mixed-media illustrations, which showcase crows and their eggs in fine detail. Praised as “a picture book as intelligent as its subject” by The Wall Street Journal, and described by Kirkus Reviews as “an admiring tribute to the habits and smarts of the corvid clan,” the book highlights the birds' tool-using abilities, playfulness, and strategic food-hiding techniques. Its muted artistic palette complements the fascinating natural insights, earning it recognition as a 2024 Junior Library Guild Selection and a favorite among young nature enthusiasts.
"Jay & Crow" - Original artwork - Fine Art painting
Original Page Illustration
By Olivia Lomenech Gill for the book Clever Crow.- Medium: Ink, watercolour, gouache on card.
- Dimensions (Unframed):
- Metric: 51 cm x 74 cm
- Imperial: 20.07 in x 29.13 in
- Framing: The frame can be purchased on demand for an additional price of 300€.
