The biggest celebrity in Anchorage, Alaska this winter in 2023 has been a white raven. The bird has a Facebook page dedicated to sightings of it, with nearly 15,000 members. People post photos of the raven, its location with the date and time, and artists have even started making jewelry, greeting cards, prints, and other beautiful items immortalizing the clever creature. He/she is not shy, appearing on a daily basis in plain sight, mostly around midtown in Anchorage. I happened to see the white raven on Spenard Rd. and Northern Lights Blvd in a big spruce tree while driving around on winter solstice. Seeing a white raven on the darkest day of the year seemed like an omen.
I have many questions about this bird. Why is it white? Are there other white ravens? Is the white color a dominant, or recessive trait? Can other ravens see that he/she is different, and if so, do they treat it differently? Does it know that it’s different? All this mystery, and the novelty of a white raven is what makes this bird so popular. People have been traveling to Anchorage from out-of-state for a chance to see the white raven. I hope you get to see it, because it really does feel special.
I was inspired to paint this oil painting, and decided to release it today on winter solstice. Oil paint on stretched canvas, 24″x18″. The original oil painting, and signed prints are available at my Etsy shop.
Real Art Is Better! 