What is a "Mute Swan"?

The Silver Swan

The silver swan, who living had no note,

When death approached, unlocked her silent throat,

Leaning her breast against the reedy shore,

Thus sung her first and last and sung no more:

Farewell all joys! O death, come close mine eyes;

More geese than swans now live, more fools than wise.

------Traditional English Poem

this is the question which came to my mind when reading Robyn's post about Celtic lore for this month, the month called "gort" or "Ivy". (The month I was born in.) Mute swans are the animal associated with this month.

As it was learned from the Internet, they are simply the swans we usually think of.

They have bright ORANGE bills with a black outline and a "knob" at the top. Though not

totally mute, they can't make much sound because of the long graceful neck.

I am still hoping to do a swan painting or two, as I posted about a few months ago.

5/23/07 This is a photo of a painting which I OWN..I did NOT paint this!!!!

This 40"X 50" painting hangs in my living room and is by one of my art professors...Ed Martin who has just retired (this month!) from teaching.
The title/ theme of this painting is "Leda" from Greek mythology....the swan is actually
Zeus in disquise....you can read the story here.

I am considering doing a painting of a woman holding a swan....I'll let you know how it goes....(no, do not expect the erotic!)

(I added the above on Wednesday morning...below is the Tuesday post...)

I’m trying a new technique for writing a post.....using Word first then copying to Blogger.

It is a new world for me as I find my way around here.....I am also researching artwork with swans. I want make a painting of a young woman standing in an ivy covered arch, holding a swan.

“The Six Swans” by Ethel Franklin Betts

So here are some illustrations from fairy tale books......




“The Six Swans” by Warwick Goble

I’m not sure yet how this painting will shape up...but I’m trying to do some paintings more rich and dramatic for the show this fall.

[postscript: None of the illustrations transfered from Word to Blogger...I had to re-insert them...so I guess I'll just stay with doing all of it in Blogger...]