"Blind Boy" by Agnes Nanogak Goose

This is a stonecut print by Inuit artist Agnes Nanogak Goose, illustrating a scene from the folk tale The Blind Boy and the Loon.

The pair are joined in flight. It is unclear where her plumage ends and his fur begins. His nose, her beak point the way, and they dive. Are they hovering in the air, or plunging down into thick and bubbly waters? She paddles mightily with outstretched wings as he kicks. She is spirit, he is mind, and together they soar.

"Ravens Guard the Sun Owl" by Kenojuak Ashevak

This is another stonecut by Kenojuak Ashevak. I first wrote about a print of hers four months ago. Since I've been on an owl kick, I simply had to come back to this artist, who depicted so many fantastic owls and owl-like creatures.

Wherever you stand near him, you cannot block the view; he is so much taller. And anyway, those feathers on his headdress will reach out and club anyone who gives us any trouble. The raven I see in double vision talks talks talks, but to whom? The owl stands spread. Vulnerable, as a large target. And yet it is also the position he takes when swooping down on prey. I'm not sure if he's about to embrace or disembowel. Isn't there always a little bit of both sides? Aren't our best assets our worst flaws? Don't we all have a little heaven and hell?