{Cover variation of As inclination directs, 2013.}
Each of the ten editions of As inclination directs features a different bird on the back of the cover sunset. Perched upon the seated woman's shoulder, a different bird of roughly similar proportion. Here, on a copy destined for the State Library of Victoria's collection of our artists' books, a particularly pink-breasted Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Muscivora forficata) from south-central USA. It is a bird known to winter in the South of Texas, and anywhere between Mexico and Panama. It is the extreme length of the two long black tail feathers that gave rise to the name for when viewed in flight the tails appear to snip, snip, snip like a pair of scissors opening and closing. When perched, they close shut their blades and spend, as giant guide book of animal behaviours instructs, their time perched elegantly upon fences, telephone wires and trees... and the obliging shoulders of strangers too, if the above visual is to be believed. There they patiently await sighting of their prey. Bees, grasshoppers, crickets, moths, wasps, spiders and caterpillars are their chief fancy. The odd berry or seed too, I'm told and trust-worthy is my source. Sight. Dart. Triumph. No room to dilly-dally.
And now here for you in long tumble, a closer look at this artists' book of Louise and mine:
{The inside pages of As inclination directs.}
+ This Sunday has been a very fine day for strolling about. Found floating in shallow puddle near to the pub, one ten dollar note, early on a Sunday morning. A lucky find on the way to yoga! Hurrah! The early bird today really does get its worm. And the sighting of a china woman with succulents for slippers. Hello, glorious winter. It seems you've few fans, but you can count on me. Always.
+ As inclination directs features in the current CFPR Book Arts newsletter available as PDF download (June 2013, issue 82)