"From The Dead" Series
Artist: Gabrielle Rose
www.gabriellerosefromthedead.com
In this collaboration with Grassland Discs, I wanted to showcase a variety of wild grasses native to Saskatchewan accompanying each bird skull.
The Chickadee features two grasses; Sideoats Grama and Blue Grama Grass. Grama grasses are hardy, drought tolerant plants native to Saskatchewan. I was initially drawn to the wing-like structure of the Blue Grama seedhead, and found it fitting for our small song bird. To add more height and texture to the illustration, I included a few stems of the Sideoats variety.
The Mallard showcases Bebb's Segdge, a grass that thrives on riverbanks, stream beds, and other wetland regions of the province. The spiky seedheads of this plant are a sharp contrast to its smooth blades of grass and the softer contours of the skull.
The Blue-Winged Teal highlights Tall Mana Grass, another moisture loving grass that can be found around sloughs, marshes, and other bodies of water. I loved the softer, trailing structure of this grass' flower head which allowed for a more delicate design.