For First Nations on the coast, puffins were sought after for their colourful little beaks. They make such a melodious sound on aprons, leggings and occasionally rattles, that the trouble of obtaining them is offset by the pleasure of hearing them being danced. Before you jump to conclusions, however, and think that we massacred these poor “little brothers” for their beaks, it is important to point out that puffins are one of the rare birds that shed their beaks after mating. The bright orange plates on their beaks continually grow and fall off in order to attract mates.

“A Splash of Colour” is a limited edition print using the giclée method of printmaking. This print was released in March of 2011 and printed by Andy Everson at Copper Canoe, the artist’s own studio in Comox B.C. A total of 109 prints bear the title “A Splash of Colour” and are signed by Andy Everson: 99 in the primary edition bearing the numbers 1/99 through 99/99; 9 Artist’s Proof; and 1 Printer’s Proof. The acid-free Moab Entrada 100% cotton rag paper measures 17x22 inches. Image size measures about 11.9x16 inches.