Message from the Artist: In October, an American Robin died in my hands. I was at work in my studio when I heard a terrific crash on my upper entry window. I found him on the sidewalk, knelt down and scooped him up. His fellows were going crazy in the tree above us.
Using my thumb to stroke his head, I told him he was going to be okay, over and over. But mostly said to him “I’m sorry”, over and over. I promised to keep my entry way light turned on. I said, “you just need a moment, you are going to be okay, just breathe, just take a moment…” and he sat, and his heart was steady, and he was just chilling. Looking at me. His beak started opening and closing a bit, just barely, and for a second I thought he might recover suddenly and bite me.
I still held him and kept talking. “you just let me know when you are ready to fly, and I’ll let you go…”. Keeping him warm and comfortable and giving him gentle sounds felt very important. Then, his heart revved up a bit, he made some louder breathing sounds, and he seemed to surge a bit. I said “you ARE going to be okay!!!” But alas, no.
What I’d heard were life’s last attempts to hold on, his final breaths. I held him while his heart stopped, his eyelids softened, his head looked smaller, his body relaxed. I kept stroking his body, saying “I’m so sorry… I really thought you were going to be okay…”. I held him for about five more minutes, still talking to him and stroking his feathers. Feeling befuddled as to what to do. Wanting to think he could rev again.
No one was around. Just me, with my hands cupped gently around a big dead bird, his head on a broken neck, resting on my fingers. The other birds had vanished. I’ve thought of him many times since then. And when I started the Wild Tenderness Collection, I knew a piece would be to represent him. And here he is, not really a Robin but a creative interpretation of a Robin-ish friend. He is guarding eggs, and he is guarding a little girl.
She is helping him with the eggs. Little girls love to help with the younger ones.
A print from the Wild Tenderness Collection.
Choose the Embellished option to personalize your print with eye or hair color. Contact Katie if you can't find what you are looking for.
SELECT YOUR PRINT SIZE:
~a Signed Art Print on paper (3 size options)
~a Hand-Embellished & Signed Art Print on paper (more information below)
All prints are created from original Katie m. Berggren paintings.
FRAMING: For paper prints of paintings with an active edge such as this piece, use a frame that matches the size of your print and you will see the active edge of the piece with a little white just inside the frame. Some of the margin will be hidden behind the frame. Prefer more space between art and frame? Choose a larger frame with a window mat that fits the print size. For example, a 16x16 inch frame with a 12x12 inch mat, or a 12x12 inch frame with an 8x8 inch mat. Simple and beautiful!
••Signed Art Prints on Paper••
Your Art Print is created on premium paper with an 8-ink process for vibrant, fade-proof color. It’s hand-signed, carefully packaged, and made with archival materials to ensure 100+ years of inspiring memories and touching hearts.
Prints are packaged with a board and sleeve, then shipped in a sturdy mailer. Art Prints have a 1/8-inch border and fit standard frames. See above.
••Embellished Art Prints on Paper••
A 12x12 inch Art Print is hand-accented for unique brush-stroke texture and an artist’s touch. I sign the front, date the back, and package it with a board and sleeve, then wrap and ship in a sturdy mailer.
An Embellished Print allows custom changes like eye color, hair accents, facial hair, glasses, and more, all added with paint. Simply leave notes at checkout for personalization, and you'll receive a confirmation email. Allow 1-2 days for creation and drying before shipping. SEE SAMPLES