Ravens are quite often associated with death and sadness and sometimes even evil.

Whilst I was taking care of my dying father last year and at the beginning of this year, I found myself in the ‘Eye of the Storm’. I managed, amongst the moments we had together, to focus on my ink drawings. Something my dad and mum encouraged me to keep up with.

Finding out unexpectedly of my dear dad’s fate came with an indescribable pain and fear and - for those who know me - the thought of losing my dad in particular had haunted me all my life. And here I was. Facing it.

None of us could believe what was happening nor could we make sense of it or change the course. We fell into a kind of unwelcomed acceptance.

If you’ve ever looked after someone very sick or dying, you will maybe understand this - I was squeezed beyond belief, my stress levels became so high, that I actually found myself sitting above the anxiety, fear and pain, and I entered a new realm. It was peaceful, beautiful and my senses were heightened and every moment became more meaningful. I continued with my daily meditation practice, and it helped immensely. As did my ink work.

I’m not saying that it was easy. Far from it. But I remember those last and final moments me, my mum and my dad shared, as being mostly peaceful, calm and very beautiful. Treasured. I experienced unconditional love.

Now whether it was only me who felt this way, I will never know for sure. I went out each day with dad for a walk whilst he still could, and he always appeared calm. His words were wise and well thought out. This was a huge lesson for me. He was so strong and brave. He took care of us until the end. A true gentleman who put others first.

Whilst this was going on, a kind friend in Canada also encouraged me to keep up with my ink work - as did other dear friends. I asked him what he would like me to draw - ‘I like the Raven’ he said and so this is what emerged.

My Raven ‘Filial Piety’. You can see a close up and some photos here.

I sent my friend the inked raven, and I wrote a message and put it in the envelope. He told me he loved it and had it in his cupboard with glass doors, next to his dining table so he and his wife could see it from the table.

I decided a few weeks later to take the plunge and get some prints of my raven, and asked him if he would scan his picture for me. He was happy to help and sent me a very good high res. scan. He told me that he had been hesitant to take the picture out the plastic I had wrapped it in, but was glad he did because until then he hadn't seen my letter inside, which really moved him. I was thanking him for his encouragement, acknowledging that it was helping me to keep going.

A couple of other friends had put me off a bit once when I had shown them the inked raven, mentioning the raven’s association with darkness, so I decided to look for more information about it, and I was amazed to discover an ancient Chinese folk tale which associated the raven with family values - so I call my Raven ink work 'filial piety'. It was in those times of taking care of my family in a most difficult situation that it was created.

The Fox and the Raven | The Chinese Fairy Book (fairytalez.com)

Since then, I've sold a few prints and I have them in my little shop on my website and also in a local art gallery, which was a big thing for me!

I was forced into stillness and that is what came out, and I will keep going with my art work.

This is an interesting read - How to Write a Poem Like Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Raven’ | Society of Classical Poets