On the Grey West Wind II is a beautiful digitally printed card of an original textile artwork by Rachael. You will receive a W17.8cm x H12.7cm  card with a matching brown Kraft envelope. The card is blank inside for your own message and is packaged plastic-free.

About the Original Artwork
On the Grey West Wind II is a continuation of a similar thread of work exploring superstitions relating to Herons in the Highlands and Islands. According to Highland superstition the Heron was thought to be a Witch visiting from the Isle of Lewis brought on the ‘grey west wind’. The piece also derives inspiration from the idea of the ‘Spirit-host’ or ‘Spirit-multitude’ as communicated by Alexander Carmichael. The ‘Spirit-host’ was an army of earth-bound spirits carried on the west wind causing chaos and mischief. Another Lewis superstition relates to the passing of a person: at the point of a spirit departing the body all west-facing windows and doors should be closed to prevent the ‘Spirit-host’ from intervening with the person’s spirit as it departed the earth. Other beliefs point to the importance of keeping a window open to mediate their journey. Natural dyes derived from elderberries, alder, rust and oak are used to create cool, grey and silvery tones for the work. Machine and hand-embroidery add textural depth and movement. The Heron was hand-carved from a lino block and printed onto silk. Silver leaf adorns the shimmering moon.