This piece is the only one in the series that is not a painting; it's actually an etching and a pen and ink drawing combined. The squared shape in the upper middle is where the etching plate has been pressed, printing yet another image of my favorite tree roots.
The title and the imagery of this work come from the well-known saying, "We give our children roots so that they may grow wings." I especially thought about that, because during this special year in Scotland, my husband and I realized that our eighteen year old son had come of age and was soon to take wing. It was especially poignant because our neighbors on the other side of our house had three very young children who frequently and pleasantly brought back memories of our son's childhood years.
So of course the artwork includes, on the left, a portrait of my son and his friend when they were quite young, and the other little boys represent our Scottish neighbors. It seems that children are children no matter the culture or country. This etching is owned by James and Judith Burr, whose three young boys are portrayed in this artwork.
Ellen Elmes
PO Box SVCC
Richlands, VA 24641-1101
email: ellen.elmes@sw.edu
phone: 276.964.7205
fax: 276.964.7720