S U R V I V O R

Two months ago I was driving home, right as dusk was falling. A little black roe deer ran out onto the road in front of me. This painting shows what I wish would have happened: a screeching of brakes, a frightening moment for both of us, but ultimately safe passage.

But in reality I didn't even see her coming. Instead there was a huge crash, two ears over the edge of my hood. It took me a second before I realise what had happened and hit the brakes.

I found her quite a ways back, lying on the roadside. Dead. She looked perfect, spare the blood coming from her nose, and the fact the impact had landed her entrails several yards ahead. That same night she was collected by wildlife services. The next morning you'd never have known she was there, only the scratches on the tarmac still bear witness to what happened.

I'm lucky to have gotten out unscathed, Blue sheep was miraculously undamaged too. But I felt godawful about it and still do. I drive even slower these days. Black roe deer are a rarity, they only occur in a small part of the Netherlands. It always makes me happy to see them out and about. To have taken the life of one weighs heavily on my heart. This painting is a small part of me trying to do right by her and remember her. A little roe deer keychain now hangs off Blue sheep's keys too, to always remind me when I go out for a drive.

More Posts from Raggedcoyote and Others

raggedcoyote

3 months ago

Hey, don't cry. First salmon spotted returning to sites on the Klamath River previously dammed for more than a century, okay?

https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/klamath-dam-removal-salmon-19844792.php

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raggedcoyote

3 months ago

what a beautiful day to remember that trans people of color exist and deserve better

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raggedcoyote

3 months ago

𝔡𝔢𝔞𝔱𝔥 𝔬𝔣 𝔪𝔞𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔰𝔥𝔞𝔡𝔢 ♰ suuuper rough color study from reference! this is the background for the previous image

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raggedcoyote

2 months ago

This is what hieroglyphs and figures in ancient Egyptian temples looked like before their colors faded. They were recreated using a polychromatic light display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, following thorough research.

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raggedcoyote

3 months ago

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raggedcoyote

2 months ago

ITS MARCH YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS

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raggedcoyote

2 months ago

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raggedcoyote

3 months ago

Oh my Godddd. The US Army chorus was told to perform at the White House for Trump and his cronies and they chose to perform One Day More from Les Miserables. What a gutsy move. A giant middle finger to authoritarianism right in front of Trump's face. Good for them.

To every member of the military and every civil servant fighting in big ways and small, public and private, to protect the Constitution and uphold the oaths you swore, thank you for your service. We see you and we love you. We're counting on you and we're all behind you 100%. Hold the line.

This made me actually tear up and feel a little hopeful. Everyone, no matter who they are needs to do their part. The Fascists are dangerous but they are few. Together we can all defeat them and keep the freedoms so many have fought so hard for.

Also I am living for these comments!