When I started this painting, I wasn’t aware of the Celtic Goddess Rhiannon. I wanted to portray a solitary but self-contained figure at one with the world. She holds the birds, and they cling to her as if for protection. They are at peace with one another.
In the painting, we see a hawk, a chough, a cormorant and a lapwing. The Lapwing, which is rarely seen now, is the National bird of Ireland.
The Celtic Goddess, Rhiannon, was associated with birds and horses. The birds of Rhiannon were with her always. Her birds healed on the soul level. When healing was not possible, Rhiannon's birds sang so sweetly that the dying went gladly to their deaths.