This is a handmade linocut print inspired by an ancient Ojibwe winter folktale about a beloved folk hero and wild grebe named Singebis whose loyalty to his friends, whooping crane and mallard duck, along with his perseverance, courage, and resilience in the face of Kabibona'kan, Winter Maker, shows us we can do the same in the face of adversity. A heartwarming and uplifting David and Goliath tale that reminds us that even a little wild bird can outsmart the Winter Maker!

PRINT SIZE: 5.25" x 7.35"

PAPER SIZE: 7" x 10"

MATERIALS: It is handprinted with Prussian blue Caligo Safewash (non-toxic) printmaking ink on Arnhem printmaking paper, a 100% cotton, acid-free, pH neutral archival paper with vellum finish. Arnhem is made at a historic mill in the Netherlands;

COLOR OPTIONS: This design is printed on either gray or beige Arnhem printmaking paper.

STORY SUMMARY:

Singebis, a wild grebe, decides to brave the winter months instead of migrating south because he wants to care for his friends, whooping crane and mallard duck, who both have injured wings. Despite many attempts by Kabibona'kan, Winter Maker, to freeze over the lake to make it impossible for Singebis to fish for food, and blowing ice cold winds into his lodge, Singebis perseveres. In the end, Singebis tricks Kabibona'kan by inviting him into his home, feeding him delicious wild rice Kabibona'kan loves so much he forgets the passing of time until the warm fire begins to melt him and he flees north as the Spring arrives. Singebis reminds us that even a little wild bird can outsmart the Winter Maker!

GIFT IDEAS: This would be a great gift for a bird lover, or anyone interested in folktales of the wild, wildlife or someone who is undergoing or has overcome a great challenge in their life. It could be for someone who looks to nature for inspiration and wisdom, or someone who particularly appreciates Native American Ojibwe folklore. Generally it would make a great gift for a nature lover who loves handmade gifts.

PACKAGING: This print will be carefully packed in a recycled clear bag and shipped in a recycled cardboard mailer from EcoEnclose. A one-page insert including a description of the folktale is included with the print.

Feathers & Folktales is a woman-owned, Massachusetts-based art shop offering handcrafted linocut prints of timeless folktales from around the world that remind us of our ancient kinship with the wild. These archival quality linocut prints are a labor of love: they are 100% conceived, designed, carved, inked, pulled and packaged by hand for you from a small home studio. Featuring animals and magical creatures from folklore alongside wide variety of botanical elements, each piece contains a precious offering from the past, a mythos, that can enliven our sense of enchantment with the natural world.

Please note that the copyright of this work is retained by the artist.