Jade Gillott

Hummingbird (redux)

Added 2023-12-08 20:52:13 +0000 UTC

Back in 2018, I did this drawing of a hummingbird for my grandmother for her birthday.

She was diagnosed with a late stage and inoperable cancer a few months ago. My mother visited her often after her diagnosis, and during one of her visits she gave my mum the hummingbird drawing that had sat in her dining room since the day I gave it to her. She told mum that I should have it back, so now it sits in my own dining room.

On December 6th, she passed away. Her last words were “Merry Christmas”.

In her memory, I decided to revise her hummingbird. My original inspiration for the 2018 version was to make it look like a Norval Morrisseau painting, but it didn’t quite land. I think I managed to give it much more of a Morrisseau feel this time around. I wish she were still around to see the new-and-improved version, but I intend on giving it to mum and dad (her son) for Christmas. That’ll have to do.