SOLD, A 2018 Poet/Artist Collaboration 17 entry. The poet wrote: “…two black tail feathers on the steps…” This reference inspired me to visualize 2 feathers on wooden steps. I was a guest visiting friends at the end of Paseo del Ocaso Road while working on this piece. It was the perfect time and place to be. At the end of Paseo del Ocaso the crows come calling. My first version was too literal and I needed to stretch the boundaries for this version of “Against the Grain.” By rendering the wood grain in the steps as fluid lines I released movement and energy to contrast with the two black feathers.