Murmurations
I’m interested in the behaviour of starling flocks as they settle in their treetop roosts. From a distance they seem to create abstract, random forms. It is only close up you see the pattern, the purpose and togetherness of these birds. Inevitably the murmurations I draw (as in real life, I suppose) start to take on a life of their own. Thousands of individually ink drawn birds overlap one another again and again to create a depth, pattern and fluidity of aerial display. I start with a plan but soon my starlings take over, evolving in unexpected ways!
There may be a sudden change of direction by one small group as they strike out on their own determined path; another explosion of birds, as if a quarrel has been had. But, each time, they return, swooping back into the safety of their roost. A little like family, a starling murmuration is a story of protection, sharing, gossiping and the joy of homecoming.
![Turning Tide](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e1de51323c6a0685a949820/1701269055773-GX63K7BMWX785F08ZP3U/beach+murmur.jpg)
![The Gloaming](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e1de51323c6a0685a949820/1681312686003-IJWVTDUDGTVJ2XCCK756/DABDB7C0-45A6-4E81-B46B-7C22EA312775_1_105_c.jpeg)
![Prelude, Fugue & Riff](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e1de51323c6a0685a949820/1579081408356-QLZ7E23BO2A59G94CQ4J/2018+%27Prelude%2C+Fugue+%26+Riffs%27%2C+ink%2C+44x1015%2C+%C2%A3400+.jpg)
![A Drift of Starlings II](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e1de51323c6a0685a949820/1639426203375-V1K704BMT4MJKZA6S4BN/P1080020.jpg)
![Arrival](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e1de51323c6a0685a949820/1579081373724-W03JJ9D29W4KVFV5VRNL/2019+%27Arrival%27+ink%2C+45x1000%2C+%C2%A3360.jpg)
![Ripple of Starlings I](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e1de51323c6a0685a949820/1639388268572-74SV4F4IQZ59VKSU67PV/image-asset.jpg)
![Ripple of Starlings II](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e1de51323c6a0685a949820/1625650376530-JUL0GVXFHK5N2GYZ68MV/image-asset.jpeg)
![Still Water](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e1de51323c6a0685a949820/1625650202588-4OBOG39UAMBNTQGYB35T/image-asset.jpeg)
![Autumn Gathering](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e1de51323c6a0685a949820/1579081347625-A5MFQMZQH7IQ9RGHU1OE/2019+%27Autumn+Gathering%27%2C+ink%2C+31x76%2C+%C2%A3340.jpg)
![Dance on Water](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e1de51323c6a0685a949820/1625650116019-9XILTHCLU5UL1UD17GNP/image-asset.jpeg)
![Starling Dance I](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e1de51323c6a0685a949820/1579081417359-VJNZ28WMH808DAGE4MKK/2018+%27+Starling+Dance+I%27%2C+ink%2C++45x57%2C+%C2%A3340.jpeg)
![Oscillation](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e1de51323c6a0685a949820/1579081423860-5IWD864TR8J55BAZYR04/2017+%27Oscillation%27%2C+ink%2C+mounted%2C+wood+frame%2C+35x70%2C+%C2%A3300+Sold.jpeg)
![Autumn Murmuration](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e1de51323c6a0685a949820/1579081434818-F3UT6YKQQA8528CRUF1H/2017+%27Autumn+Murmuration%27+ink%2C+mounted%2C+wood+frame%2C+50x50%2C+%C2%A3445+sold.jpeg)
![The Settling](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e1de51323c6a0685a949820/1579082027031-UIRM4Y6NPMIEVLXB4FY7/2017-%27The-Settling%27%2C-ink%2C--40x65%2C-%C2%A3360-Sold.jpg)
![Murmuration II](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e1de51323c6a0685a949820/1579081442780-EVWOKVM7TVNHCRVLDUAZ/2016+%27Murmuration+II%27%2C+ink%2C+mounted%2C+wood+frame%2C+40x55%2C+%C2%A3360+Sold.jpeg)
![A Summer of Swallows](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e1de51323c6a0685a949820/1579081380267-A3GK5WXY755W1WKH4EO2/2019+%27A+Summer+of+Swallows%27+38x70%2C+%C2%A3400.jpeg)
Murmurations
I’m interested in the behaviour of starling flocks as they settle in their treetop roosts. From a distance they seem to create abstract, random forms. It is only close up you see the pattern, the purpose and togetherness of these birds. Inevitably the murmurations I draw (as in real life, I suppose) start to take on a life of their own. Thousands of individually ink drawn birds overlap one another again and again to create a depth, pattern and fluidity of aerial display. I start with a plan but soon my starlings take over, evolving in unexpected ways!
There may be a sudden change of direction by one small group as they strike out on their own determined path; another explosion of birds, as if a quarrel has been had. But, each time, they return, swooping back into the safety of their roost. A little like family, a starling murmuration is a story of protection, sharing, gossiping and the joy of homecoming.