Patricia Innis' Goldfinch Earthwork, July 2007

On July 2nd, environmental artist Patricia Innis and volunteers started work on a large-scale earthwork on the Jefferson County Loop Trail between Chautauqua Park and the bridge over the railroad tracks. Helping Innis were artists Mary Barton and Greg Thatcher and Boy Scout Troop 108 members Derek Thatcher and Atreya Dey.

The sculpture, which references the work of the ancient mound-building people, will be of a Goldfinch in flight. It will be made of topsoil and will be planted with yellow prairie flowers, such as Black-eyed-Susans, to create the finch's coloring. Goldfinches are attracted to the color gold. It is hoped the finch mound will provide, in some small way, habitat for the birds and in the fall, seed for them to eat. It is Innis' hope that the sculpture will nurture the viewer while nourishing the birds.

Over a two-day period, the basic shape of the finch was created. The first day the soil was delivered by dump truck. Then Baton, Dey and the Thatchers using shovels and rakes as their tools sculpted the Goldfinch. The second day the sculpture was covered with wood chips to prevent erosion.

Work on the Goldfinch will be on-going. In the fall it will be seeded with Brown-Eyed-Susans and in the spring plants will be placed to fill in the gaps. Sometimes people will be at work, sometimes nature will take over. Over time the sculpture will take on a life of its own. As the seasons change, the flowers spread the sculpture itself will change. Sometimes it will be more visible than at other times.

The Goldfinch is the second of a multi-site artwork with the theme of bird migration. Innis plans to create a series of earthen bird sculpture along hiking trails and roadway across the country. The artwork will trace the routes the birds take during their seasonal migrations or honor a bird with strong ties to an area.

The first bird mound, an eagle, was created in Brethren, Michigan, in May. Next spring "Robins!" featuring three robin mounds and a nest with eggs will be constructed at Michigan Legacy Art Park, Thompsonville. By creating this series of sculpture Innis hopes to bring people and nature closer together by giving people a reason to be outside and looking. She also hopes it will stimulate thought about changing migration patterns as global warming has a greater effect on the environment.

To see more of Innis' artwork go to www.michlegacyartpark.org.